McDermott Adjusts England Squad Ahead of France Match

England's head coach, Brian McDermott, has revealed a key adjustment to the squad ahead of their Rugby League World Cup match against France this Saturday. With a focus on bouncing back from an opening defeat against Tonga, McDermott is making moves to fortify the team.

Squad Changes for England

AJ Brimson is set to continue as the full-back, while Jack Welsby will again feature as an interchange player. The addition of Luke Thompson at prop comes as a response to Morgan Knowles' injury, which occurred in the lead-up to their opening match.

Veteran center Kallum Watkins aims to make his mark by being included among the reserves, pursuing his fourth World Cup cap. Meanwhile, Mikey Lewis rejoins the bench after being absent from the squad last week.

According to World Cup regulations, each team can have a six-player bench, but only four can take the field during the match. Against Tonga, Welsby and Matty Ashton were among the unused substitutes. Initially slated to start, Zach Eckersley was replaced on Thursday by Ashton.

France's Adjustments

France is also making strategic changes prior to their significant showdown with England. Toulouse playmaker Thomas Lacans has been elevated to the starting five-eighth position, leading to Cesar Rouge's transfer to the bench.

In further roster modifications, Romeo Tropis will take up the center position, pushing Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet out to the wings as Leo Darrelatour is omitted from the lineup. The team captain, Ben Garcia, is switching roles from hooker to lock, with Amir Bourouh joining the starting lineup at number nine. In the front row, Julian Bousquet will step in for Lambert Belmas, who will now serve as a substitute.

Full Squad Breakdown

Here is a comprehensive look at both squads:

• England: AJ Brimson, Dom Young, Hugo Savala, Herbie Farnworth, Matty Ashton, 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, Mikey Lewis.

• 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.

Women’s Teams: Changes Ahead of Australia Match

In a surprising twist, England Women's head coach Stuart Barrow has made headlines by naming 19-year-old Jenna Foubister as the half-back for their clash against Australia. Foubister, who earned the Woman of Steel award for her impressive performance last season, previously came off the bench in the victory over Wales.

Shuffling continues as Georgia Roche shifts to the interchange, and Molly Jones steps in to replace Georgia Wilson in the centers. Liv Wood takes over in the prop position, while Lucie Sams is the latest addition to the bench.

For Australia, coach Jess Skinner has inserted several players for a potential Test debut, naming Dragons recruit Makenzie Weale and former sevens star Sariah Paki among the substitutes. Changes are plentiful as Abbi Church joins the wing and Julia Robinson moves to center, with Jess Sergis resting this game. Additionally, Tiana Penitani Gray is slotted into the back-row in place of Kezie Apps, and Quincy Dodd has earned a spot on the bench.

Complete England Women's Lineup

• England Women: Fran Goldthorpe, Anna Davies, Molly Jones, Connie Boyd, Amelia Brown, Izzy Rowe, Jenna Foubister, Liv Wood, Keara Bennett, Hollie-Mae Dodd, Jasmin Strange, Eva Hunter, Megan Williams.
• Interchange: Jodie Cunningham, Vicky Whitfield, Georgia Roche, Lucie Sams.

• Australia Women: Tamika Upton, Jaime Chapman, Julia Robinson, Isabelle Kelly (c), Abbi Church, Jocelyn Kelleher, Tarryn Aiken, Millie Elliott, Olivia Higgins, Simaima Taufa, Tiana Penitani Gray, Shaylee Bent, Olivia Kernick.
• Interchange: Quincy Dodd, Sarah Togatuki, Makenzie Weale, Sariah Paki.