Story perspectives

England Needs Big Win Over PNG After 82-0 France

By Drooid · Oct 29, 2026 · How we work

Read the story

Story summary

Summary

England's 82-0 victory over France created the 68-point swing they need against Samoa.
England must now defeat Papua New Guinea by a large margin to keep semi-final hopes alive.
Coach Brian McDermott urged players not to panic and to follow the game plan that won France.
Hull KR hooker Jez Litten started, replacing Man of Steel Brad O’Neill on the bench.

Summary

Morgan Knowles joined the PNG squad on Wednesday after his newborn arrived, ending a “manic week” of family duties.
PNG enters the match without London Broncos ace Morea Morea and Leigh Leopards star Edwin Ipape.
Liam Horne starts at hooker, while Valentine Richard shifts to loose forward.
PNG opened the tournament with a comfortable win over Lebanon before a 64-6 loss to Samoa.

History

England’s 82-0 victory over France in 2024 echoes the sport’s history of lopsided scores, such as the 1995 World Cup—held in England and Wales, expanded to ten teams and introducing a knockout stage. The tournament’s evolution, highlighted by the 2017 edition’s first matches in Papua New Guinea, continues to shape calls for deeper squad depth and scheduling reforms.

1 of 3

England’s 82-0 victory over France in 2024 echoes the sport’s history of lopsided scores, such as the 1995 World Cup—held in England and Wales, expanded to ten teams and introducing a knockout stage. The tournament’s evolution, highlighted by the 2017 edition’s first matches in Papua New Guinea, continues to shape calls for deeper squad depth and scheduling reforms.

1 / 3