Sports
2026 Rugby League World Cup opens with England naming squad for Tonga clash
October 13, 2026 at 01:58 PM
The men's Rugby League World Cup begins this week in Australia with a new format, as England confirms its lineup for the opening group match against Tonga.
- England has named Harry Smith and George Williams at half-back for Saturday's opener against Tonga in Perth, with Mikey Lewis left out as a non-playing reserve.
- The tournament features a new format: 10 teams, with Group A's four nations producing two semi-finalists and Groups B and C inter-grouping for the other two spots.
- Australia opens its title defence against New Zealand on Thursday in Group A, also containing the Cook Islands and Fiji.
- England's subsequent group matches are against France in Perth on 24 October and Papua New Guinea in Wollongong on 30 October.