Meet men's Group A: England, France, Greece and Samoa

The host nation are among those hoping to qualify from a competitive group

13 Oct 2022

Meet men's Group A: England, France, Greece and Samoa

The host nation are among those hoping to qualify from a competitive group

By James Toney

ENGLAND

Coached by Shaun Wane and captained by Catalans Dragons full-back Sam Tomkins, England have never won the Rugby League World Cup but have lost in three finals, most recently a 6-0 defeat to the Kangaroos five years ago in Brisbane.

The lack of international action due to the pandemic means big stage debuts for the likes of Jack Welsby, Herbie Farnworth and Dom Young and the eagerly-awaited induction of powerhouse Sydney Rooster Victor Radley.

Aussie-born Radley's decision to play for England, his father was born in Sheffield, shocked many, ruling him out of the chance to play for New South Wales in State of Origin.

There are ten players with World Cup experience, including Morgan Knowles, who turned out for Wales in 2017.

Hull KR's Ryan Hall is the most capped squad member with 38 appearances - and a run to the final could mean he equals James Graham's record of 44 caps.

Wane made some surprise inclusions in his team, including Salford City Reds hooker Andy Ackers, who admitted he cried for two days such was his shock about the call-up.

READ MORE: Tomkins tips Welsby to light up World Cup for England

Saturday, October 15, England vs Samoa, St James’ Park, Newcastle, 2.30pm

Saturday, October 22, England vs France, University of Bolton Stadium, 5pm

Saturday, October 29, England vs Greece, Bramall Lane, Sheffield, 2.30pm

Most points in a World Cup match: Andy Farrell (22) vs Fiji, 2000

Most goals in a World Cup match: Andy Farrell (9) vs Fiji, 2000

Most tries in a World Cup match: Keith Fielding (4) vs France, 1975

Record World Cup points scored: 76-4 v Russia, 2000

Record World Cup points conceded: 4-52 v Australia, 2008

Previous record

1975: Runner-up (Second in group), 1995: Runner-up (lost 8-16 to Australia in Final) 2000: Semi-finalist (lost 6-49 to New Zealand) 2008: Semi-finalist (lost 22-32 to New Zealand) 2013: Semi-finalist (lost 18-20 to New Zealand) 2017: Runner-up (lost 0-6 to Australia in Final)

READ MORE: Meet men's Group B - Australia, Fiji, Scotland and Italy

FRANCE

Laurent Frayssinous's French team - captained by Catalans' Benjamin Garcia - will be looking to cause some shocks ahead of hosting the next edition of the event in 2025.

They've twice been runners-up - though that was back in 1954 and 1968 respectively.

Just four of the team have World Cup experience, including the experienced Eloi Pelissier, who plays for Toulouse who were relegated from Super League this year.

There is plenty in talent in the team, such as new Leeds Rhinos signing Justin Sangaré and Arthur Mourgue, one of 13 Dragons in the 24-strong squad.

This is no easy group, with a Samoa team packed with NRL talent and hosts England, who beat France 30-10 in Perpignan 12 months ago.

READ MORE: Frayssinous plans to drive France back towards the international summit

Monday, October 17, France vs Greece, Eco-Power Stadium, Doncaster, 7.30pm

Saturday, October 22, England vs France, University of Bolton Stadium, 5pm

Sunday, October 30, Samoa vs France, Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington, 5pm

Most points in a World Cup match: Fre?de?ric Banquet (24) vs South Africa, 2000

Most goals in a World Cup match: Fre?de?ric Banquet (10) vs South Africa, 2000

Most tries in a World Cup match: Pascal Jampy (3) vs South Africa, 2000

Record World Cup points scored: 56-6 v South Africa, 2000

Record World Cup points conceded: 0-18 v New Zealand, 1985

Previous record

1954: Runner-up (lost 12-16 to Great Britain in Final), 1957: Fourth in group, 1960: Fourth in group, 1968: Runner-up (lost 2-20 to Australia in Final), 1970: Third in group, 1972: Third in group, 1975: Fifth in group, 1977: Fourth in group, 1985-88: Fifth in group, 1989-92: Fourth in group, 1995: Third in group C (eliminated), 2000: Quarter-finalist (lost 6-54 to New Zealand), 2008: Tenth place (lost 14-42 to Samoa in play-off), 2013: Quarter-finalist (lost 6-34 to England), 2017: Fourth in group A (eliminated)

GREECE

Greece are making their Rugby League World Cup debut having come through a qualifying campaign with wins over Ukraine, Malta, Norway and Serbia.

Captain Jordan Meads is their top points getter, leading the stats for tries and goals since making his international debut in 2014.

The 30-year-old half-back is much travelled and spent a season in the UK with Gateshead Thunder and will be a key foundation for coach Steve Georgallis, along with most-capped player Stefanos Bastas, the first native Greek player to play professionally, currently with Coventry-based Midlands Hurricanes.

There is top-level NRL experience in their team, with Lachlan Ilias playing 26 games for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, including of all their recent finals campaign.

READ MORE: Greece captain Meads ready to honour grandparents

Monday, October 17, France vs Greece, Eco-Power Stadium, Doncaster, 7.30pm

Sunday, October 23, Samoa vs Greece, Eco-Power Stadium, Doncaster, 5pm

Saturday, October 29, England vs Greece, Bramall Lane, Sheffield, 2.30pm

SAMOA

Coach Matt Parish has very high expectations for a team that has reached the last eight stage three-times at the Rugby League World Cup.

There are eight players from the recent NRL Grand Final in a squad that is absolutely packed with talent - unquestionably the best team the nation has ever sent.

Teenager Joseph Sua'ali'i promises to be one of the tournament's star turns, the Sydney Roosters winger turning down Australia to represent his father's heritage.

And then there's Penrith Panthers half-back Jarome Luai, whose confidence will be brimming after helping his side to back-to-back Grand Final victories.

None of the team were part of the side five years ago, but there are three Super League players who know all about English conditions, Danny Levi left Huddersfield Giants this week, prop Ligi Sao is at Hull and Tyrone May plays for the Catalans Dragons.

READ MORE: Parish insists Samoa 'not favourites' for England opener

Saturday, October 15, England vs Samoa, St James’ Park, Newcastle, 2.30pm

Sunday, October 23, Samoa vs Greece, Eco-Power Stadium, Doncaster, 5pm

Sunday, October 30, Samoa vs France, Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington, 5pm

Most points in a World Cup match: John Schuster (16) vs France, 1995

Most goals in a World Cup match: John Schuster (8) vs France, 1995

Most tries in a World Cup match: Antonio Winterstein (3) vs Papua New Guinea, 2013

Record World Cup points scored: 56-10 v France, 1995

Record World Cup points conceded: 10-66 v Australia, 2000

Previous record

1995: Second group C (eliminated), 2000: Quarter-finalist (lost 10-66 to Australia), 2008: Ninth place (defeated France 42-14 in play-off), 2013: Quarter-finalist (lost 4-22 to Fiji), 2017: Quarter-finalist (lost 0-46 to Australia)

The Rugby League World Cup promises to be the biggest, best and most inclusive event in the sport’s 127-year history with men’s, women’s and wheelchair teams competing in 61 games across 21 venues throughout England. Tickets are available via rlwc2021.com/tickets

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