The short version
- England defeated France by a score of 82-0 in Perth to remain in contention for the World Cup semi-finals.
- Herbie Farnworth and Dom Young each scored three tries, contributing to a total of fourteen scores for the English side.
- Advancement to the last four remains uncertain as England must defeat Papua New Guinea and rely on Tonga beating Samoa.
England delivered a commanding performance against France in Perth, securing an 82-0 victory that preserves their chances of reaching the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals. The result was critical for the English squad, which had suffered a defeat to Tonga earlier in the tournament and watched rivals Samoa and Tonga achieve significant wins. Without a substantial margin of victory against France, England’s path to the knockout stages would have been effectively closed.
The match began with visible tension as England struggled to impose their will during the opening quarter. The team made several errors in the first twenty minutes, appearing weighed down by the high stakes and complex tournament permutations. However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the second quarter when England scored three tries within a four-minute span. This burst of offensive activity broke the deadlock and set the tone for the remainder of the contest.
Herbie Farnworth emerged as a standout performer, recording a hat-trick that marked the first such achievement by an English player in World Cup competition since Tommy Makinson scored against Papua New Guinea in 2022. Farnworth’s contributions were pivotal in establishing England’s dominance, with his tries coming at key moments to extend the lead. His performance helped stabilize the team after a shaky start and signaled their arrival as a serious force in the tournament.
Dom Young also reached the milestone of three tries, adding to the growing tally for England. The center’s scoring efforts included a try from a clever behind-the-back pass by captain George Williams and another from chasing down a grubber kick. Young’s ability to capitalize on defensive lapses contributed significantly to the point differential, which is crucial for England’s standing in the group table.
Other notable scorers included Mikey Lewis, who crossed the line twice, and Matty Ashton, who added to the count with his seventh try in six Test matches. AJ Brimson played a key role in breaking through the French defense multiple times, leading breakaways that resulted in tries for teammates. The collective effort saw fourteen different players cross the try line, showcasing depth across the squad.
Hugo Savala provided stability from the boot, converting thirteen goals and missing only one attempt from fourteen kicks. His kicking added twenty-six points to the scoreboard, ensuring that England maximized their scoring opportunities. The French side, which has not reached the semi-finals since 1992, struggled with simple mistakes and failed to mount a sustained challenge against the English defense.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, England’s path forward remains precarious. The team still faces Papua New Guinea in Wollongong on Friday, where they must replicate this level of performance to secure enough points difference. The outcome of their final group match will be decisive, particularly if Tonga defeats Samoa in their upcoming encounter.
Points difference is likely to determine which teams advance to the semi-finals. England currently trails Samoa by a significant margin in this metric, having been behind by 150 points after earlier results. A win against Papua New Guinea combined with a favorable result between Tonga and Samoa could allow England to overcome this deficit. The team must avoid missing the last four for the first time in their history.
The victory demonstrates England’s capacity to perform under pressure, even if the execution was not flawless. The early errors highlighted areas for improvement, but the ability to respond with a surge of scoring proved decisive. As the tournament progresses, the focus shifts to maintaining this intensity and relying on external results to align in their favor.
Looking ahead, the stakes remain high as England prepares for their final group stage opponent. The margin of victory against France provides a buffer, but it is not sufficient to guarantee advancement. The coming days will test the team’s resilience and ability to execute under continued pressure, with the semi-final berth hanging in the balance.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗England thrash France to keep alive World Cup hopes
