England focus on win vs France, not points difference — SkimNews
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- England suffered a 30-12 defeat to Tonga in their Rugby League World Cup opener, leaving their semi-final hopes dependent on a large win over France and favorable results in other group matches.
- Brad O'Neill said England will not alter their mentality to chase points difference against France, stressing the need to play hard-nosed rugby as they did against Tonga.
- Brian McDermott named an unchanged 19-man squad for the France match, signaling continuity despite the pressure to deliver a high-scoring victory.
- France enter the match reeling from a 78-4 loss to Samoa, making them likely to respond strongly, according to O'Neill, who noted familiarity with French-based players from Super League fixtures.
- England must beat both France and Papua New Guinea decisively to stay in contention, with their path to the semi-finals also relying on Tonga defeating Samoa in their final group game.
Why it matters: England’s narrow margin for progression means even a win over France won’t guarantee advancement unless Tonga beats Samoa. The team must now deliver two dominant performances while relying on rivals’ results, increasing the stakes of each match outcome.
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