World Cup format branded ‘harsh’ as England prepare for France showdown

England head coach Brian McDermott has struggled to hide his frustration with the Rugby League World Cup format that has left his side teetering on the brink of elimination after their opening game.

Last Saturday’s loss to Tonga means they must hope Tonga beat Samoa in their final group game next week in order to stand any realistic chance of reaching the semi-finals.

That scenario would leave England and Samoa to be separated by points difference – a particularly tough ask for McDermott’s men given the Samoans started their campaign with a crushing 78-4 win over France.

“The jeopardy is losing one game is so harsh, it’s almost like we don’t get another chance to straighten things out,” said McDermott, whose side face the French in their second group game in Perth on Saturday.

“There’s still a slim chance that we get through, and that’s something we’re focusing on, and we’re really determined. It’s just harsh that we have to take a standing eight count in the first round.”

This year’s World Cup was reduced to 10 men’s teams after France pulled out of hosting the event in 2023, resulting in a complicated, partial cross-group format which means one of the top five nations will be eliminated at the first stage.

In contrast, favourites Australia and New Zealand are effectively guaranteed to reach the last four after being placed in a conventional, four-team Group A alongside Fiji and the Cook Islands.

McDermott added: “New Zealand have lost their first game as well, but they’re going to get another go at it and the likelihood is they’ll qualify, so their destiny is not lying in other people’s hands.

“That’s not the position we find ourselves in. There’s no frustration, all I’m recognising in that the jeopardy is really harsh. We knew that for us to go through, we had to go and beat Tonga.”

McDermott has named an unchanged squad for the game against France but confirmed that Warrington’s Matty Ashton will start in place of Wigan Warriors starlet Zach Eckersley on the wing.