The England men's rugby league team play a decisive group match against co-hosts Papua New Guinea in Wollongong on Friday, with head coach Brian McDermott including Jaz Litten and Morgan Knowles in the starting lineup. The match kicks off at 09:05 GMT.
Litten, of Hull KR, comes in at hooker, while Knowles, who plays lock for the Dolphins, returns after missing the first two games with an ankle injury. Knowles replaces Victor Radley, who drops to the bench. Brad O'Neill, named Super League player of the year in 2026, has been dropped from the squad and is not among the 19 players for the match, despite wearing the number nine shirt in Saturday's win over France. Matty Ashton of Warrington retains his place on the wing, while Wigan's Zach Eckersley is again left out.
McDermott has made late changes to the starting side for both of England's previous matches. England lost their first game to Tonga 30-12, before responding with a convincing 82-0 victory over France. To progress to the next phase, England must beat Papua New Guinea, and then two days later in Sydney hope that Tonga beat Samoa. If Samoa win, England are eliminated due to a worse head-to-head record against Tonga. If Tonga win, the point difference between England and Samoa will decide, with England currently 68 points behind the Samoans.
England men's team: AJ Brimson, Dom Young, Hugo Savala, Herbie Farnworth, Matty Ashton, George Williams, Harry Smith, Max King, Jez Litten, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Kai Pearce-Paul, Morgan Knowles. Interchanges: Mikey Lewis, Ben Currie, Ethan Havard, Sam Walters, Jack Welsby, Victor Radley. Reserves: Kallum Watkins, Brad O'Neill, Zach Eckersley.
In the women's competition, England must beat Samoa in their final Group A match to finish second and secure a semi-final place. England beat Wales 70-6 in their first game, but suffered a heavy 78-0 defeat to defending champions Australia in Perth last weekend. Head coach Stu Barrow has opted for the experience of Georgia Roche at half-back instead of 19-year-old Jenna Foubister, who started against Australia and was named Super League Woman of Steel.
Eva Hunter injured her leg against Australia, Hollie-Mae Dodd moves from the front row to the second row, and Mary Coleman comes in at prop. Captain Jodie Cunningham has overcome an ear injury and is on the bench, Georgia Wilson replaces Molly Jones in the centre, and Hope Millard comes onto the bench as the only remaining player with a legacy after Jasmin Strange ended her tournament with a knee injury. A win would take England to the semi-finals, where they would most likely face New Zealand, who beat them in the semi-final of the previous World Cup in 2022.
England women's team: Fran Goldthorp, Anna Davies, Georgia Wilson, Connie Boyd, Amelia Brown, Izzy Rowe, Georgia Roche, Mary Coleman, Keara Bennett, Liv Wood, Lucy Murray, Hollie-Mae Dodd, Megan Williams. Interchanges: Jodie Cunningham, Vicky Whitfield, Hope Millard, Lucie Sams. Reserves: Ruby Bruce, Evie Cousins, Molly Jones.
Wales play world champions Australia in Sydney on Sunday, with dual-code international Ffion Lewis returning to the side. Carys Marsh comes off the bench to start at hooker, while Australia have already secured a semi-final place. For Australia, Jocelyn Kelleher rests, replaced by Jesse Southwell.
Wales women's team: Leanne Burnell, Zoe Heeley, Jade Mullen, Hannah Bluck, Sian Williams, Ffion Lewis, Tayla Preston, Agnes Wood, Carys Marsh, Emily Hughes, Georgia Cussons, Paige Travis, Bethan Dainton. Interchanges: Kathryn Salter, Erin Williams, Gracie Hobbs, Lucia Davies.
Australian head coach Kevin Walters has recalled Reece Walsh to the full-back position for the final Group A match against the Cook Islands on Saturday. Walsh started the first game against New Zealand, scored a try, but kicked only two of five conversions in a narrow 24-22 win, after which he rested against Fiji. Walsh returns in place of James Tedesco, Cameron Munster comes back at stand-off, and Sam Walker has been dropped from the 19. Harry Grant again wears the number nine shirt at hooker, while Ethan Strange, brother of injured England star Jasmin, is in contention for a debut off the bench.
Australia men's team: Reece Walsh, Jack Bostock, Kotoni Staggs, Bradman Best, Tom Trbojevic, Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden, Patrick Carrigan, Harry Grant.
