England Crush France by 82 Points to Keep World Cup Hopes Alive 2026

England kept their Rugby League World Cup hopes alive with a stunning 82-point victory over France in Perth on Saturday. The 14-try rout, led by Brian McDermott's expansive game plan, has revived England's semi-final ambitions after a disappointing opening defeat to Tonga.

The result leaves England needing a favour from Tonga next weekend, but the emphatic win has significantly improved their points difference and given fans renewed belief.

England's World Cup Hopes Revived After France Rout

England's Rugby League World Cup hopes appeared to be hanging by a thread after last weekend's loss to Tonga. McDermott admitted that defeat left his side with a mountain to climb in a shortened 10-team tournament where only the top two from a six-nation pool progress to the semi-finals.

But against France, England delivered a performance that fulfilled McDermott's pre-tournament promise of expansive rugby. After a scoreless opening quarter, Dom Young broke the deadlock and the floodgates opened. England ran in 14 tries, with Herbie Farnworth, described as the world's best centre, producing an outstanding first-half display.

How the 82-Point Win Changes the Equation

The victory, combined with Samoa's earlier win over Papua New Guinea, clarified England's path to the last four. England must now hope Tonga beat Samoa next weekend while also bridging a points swing of around 150. The 82-point margin made major inroads into that deficit.

McDermott's side knew they had to win convincingly and rely on favours elsewhere. They did their part in style, but the final round of group matches will determine whether it's enough.

Key Takeaways from England's Demolition of France

• England ran in 14 tries in a dominant 82-point victory over France in Perth.
• The win keeps England's semi-final hopes alive, but they need Tonga to beat Samoa.
• England must bridge a points swing of around 150 in the final round.
• Herbie Farnworth and Dom Young starred in a devastating attacking display.
• Brian McDermott's promise of expansive rugby was fulfilled after a slow start.

England's Road to the Semi-Finals: What Needs to Happen

England's fate is no longer entirely in their own hands. They need Tonga to defeat Samoa next weekend, and they need to overturn a significant points difference. The 82-point win over France was a step in the right direction, but the margin may still not be enough.

McDermott will be hoping his side can carry the momentum from the France win into their final group game. The coach has consistently backed his team to play attacking rugby, and the 14-try display showed what they are capable of when they click.

Player Performances: Farnworth and Young Shine

Herbie Farnworth enhanced his reputation as one of the world's best centres with a standout first-half performance. Dom Young's try opened the floodgates after a tense opening quarter. The pair were at the heart of England's attacking brilliance.

France, despite the heavy defeat, dug in valiantly during a scoreless opening quarter. But once England found their rhythm, there was no stopping them.

What This Means for the Tournament

The shortened format has made every point crucial. England's emphatic win keeps them in the hunt, but they will be watching the Tonga vs Samoa clash with great interest. A Tonga win would set up a tense final round.

For now, England can take heart from a performance that showed their attacking potential. The challenge is to maintain that level and hope results elsewhere go their way.

FAQ

As the Rugby League World Cup group stage reaches its climax, England's 82-point win over France has injected new life into their campaign. The challenge now is to maintain that momentum and hope for a favour from Tonga.

For a deeper look at England's opening defeat to Tonga, see our coverage of England Rugby League World Cup hopes stunned by Tonga defeat. That loss put McDermott's men in this difficult position.

Off the field, the debate over refereeing standards continues to shape the tournament. Our article on the Prem refereeing revamp boosting England Rugby World Cup hopes examines how officiating changes could benefit England in the long run.

Meanwhile, the business of rugby league is never far from the headlines. Borthwick's England reign: contradictions and World Cup 2025 hopes offers a fascinating parallel from rugby union.

Injury news also plays a part in any World Cup campaign. The Alphonso Davies hamstring injury threatening Canada World Cup hopes is a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change.

For a different code, the Wallabies crushing Italy 57-10 in Schmidt's farewell Test shows how dominant performances can set the tone for a tournament.

And as always, the World Cup brings stories from across the globe. Spain crushing France to reach the World Cup final is another example of European rivalries on the biggest stage.