England head coach Brian McDermott has stuck with the same 19-man squad that were thrashed 30-12 by Tonga in the tournament opener for Saturday's Rugby League World Cup clash against France. AJ Brimson retains the job at full-back with Jack Welsby again named as an interchange, while Luke Thompson starts at prop in the absence of Morgan Knowles, who suffered an injury in the lead-up to the opening game against Tonga. Veteran centre Kallum Watkins is listed among the reserves as he chases a cap at his fourth World Cup, while there also remains no place in the squad for Mikey Lewis.
As per World Cup rules, each side is able to name a six-player bench in each game, but only four of the six players named can be brought on. Last weekend against Tonga, Welsby and Warrington Wolves winger Matty Ashton were the unused substitutes - with Wigan Warriors speedster Zach Eckersley getting the nod instead. For France, Toulouse playmaker Thomas Lacans has been promoted to start at five-eighth with Cesar Rouge moving to the bench.
Romeo Tropis comes in at centre, so Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet pushes out to the wing and Leo Darrelatour makes way. Skipper Ben Garcia moves from hooker to lock and Amir Bourouh joins the starting side at No 9. A change in the front-row sees Julian Bousquet come in at prop for Lambert Belmas, who goes to the bench.
England: AJ Brimson, Dom Young, Hugo Savala, Herbie Farnworth, Zach Eckersley, George Williams, Harry Smith, Max King, Brad O'Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Kai Pearce-Paul, Victor Radley. Interchange: Jez Litten, Ben Currie, Ethan Havard, Sam Walters, Jack Welsby, Matty Ashton. France: Arthur Mourgue, Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, Latrell Siegwalt, Roméo Tropis, Benjamin Laguerre, Thomas Lacans, Théo Fages, Romain Navarrete, Amir Bourouh, Julian Bousquet, Arthur Romano, Mathieu Jussaume, Benjamin Garcia (c).
Interchange: César Rougé, Lambert Belmas, Mathieu Cozza, Louis Grossemy. For the England Women side, head coach Stuart Barrow has made a shock selection call at half-back, calling in 19-year-old Jenna Foubister to wear the No 7 and partner Isabel Rowe in the halves against Australia on Saturday. Foubister was named Woman of Steel after a standout year in the Super League and came off the bench in last week's win over Wales.
Georgia Roche shifts to the interchange as a result. Molly Jones has been named to replace Georgia Wilson in the centres while Liv Wood steps in at prop in place of Mary Coleman. Lucie Sams is the new face on the interchange.
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