England to play France in June
England’s Men and Women will play France in Toulouse on Saturday 29 June, as the French Rugby League (FFR XIII) celebrates 90 years of the game in the republic.
England Women take on France at 3.30pm (local time), followed by the Men’s international at 6pm – and both matches will be streamed live from Stade Ernest-Wallon on Super League+, Rugby League’s global, direct-to-consumer streaming service.
Both the Men’s and Women’s teams defeated their French counterparts 64-0 in last year’s mid-season internationals at Warrington, though the scorelines were a little closer when the two sides last visited France in 2021 – the Men winning 30-10 in Perpignan and the Women 40-4.
With the French continuing to improve as they build towards the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, England’s teams can expect a tougher challenge this time around – something which will suit head coaches Shaun Wane and Stuart Barrow. Both coaches will announce their squads for the Toulouse trip during the week of the games.
RFL Chair, Simon Johnson, said: “Rugby League in France has a rich and proud history, and the Men’s international side first played England in Paris in 1934. I am delighted that our England sides have been invited be part of the 90th anniversary celebrations. Our thanks go to the FFR XIII for making this possible and we wish them well for the next 90 years.”
Rhodri Jones, RL Commercial Managing Director, added: “I’m sure that there will be plenty of England supporters inside the Stade Ernest-Wallon to cheer on our Men and Women, and I’m thrilled that those supporters who can’t be there will be able to follow the action on Super League+. It’s a blank weekend in the 2024 fixture schedule, so Super League+ is the place to be for live Rugby League on Saturday 29 June.”
Toulouse Olympique’s Betfred Championship match against Featherstone Rovers will also be played at Stade Ernest-Wallon on the same day, with a 9pm kick off.
France Under 19s will travel in the opposite direction just three days later to take on England Academy at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium on Tuesday 2 July (KO 7.30pm).
England Academy will take on France at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium on Tuesday 2 July (KO 7.30pm) – three days after the senior Men’s and Women’s sides face the French in Toulouse.
The best of England’s emerging talent won 33-20 on a hot and humid evening in the south of France last year, with Leeds Rhinos duo Jack Sinfield and Neil Tchamambe among the stand-out performers. Head coach Paul Anderson will be looking for a repeat performance from the best of this year’s Academy crop.
England Academy Head coach Paul Anderson said: “What we achieved in Saint-Gaudens last year was down to the work put in across the whole development pathway – from club and county of origin, through to England Knights and the senior set up. The likes of George Williams and Jack Welsby are graduates of this pathway.
“Complementing these strong foundations was how we prepared in camp prior to the match. We’ll repeat the camp experience again this year so that our best players are exposed to the kind of environment they might experience at senior level and are ready for another stern test from the French.
“We led 22-4 at one point last year, but France pulled back to within two points with 10 minutes remaining. It was hot and sticky and we were running out of numbers, but we found an extra gear just when we needed it. At this level it’s about learning and development, and the players learned a lot about handling pressure and digging deep in the face of adversity. The players need the challenge and hopefully France will provide it. It will be a fantastic experience and places are up for grabs.”
The Academy competition is currently two rounds in, with Castleford Tigers, Huddersfield Giants and Warrington Wolves all boasting 100% records. A number of first team squad members from all teams have already played in the competition and England’s squad is certain to feature some players with first team experience.
Anderson will select his squad after Round 7, which takes place on Saturday 22 June. Admission at the Halliwell Jones Stadium is just £5 for adults and £2 for children, payable on the gate.
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