French Test for England RL ahead of New Zealand series

England Rugby League will face France at Leigh Sports Village on Wednesday, October 17 in preparation for the Autumn International Series against New Zealand.
England in action against New Zealand in DenverEngland in action against New Zealand in Denver
England in action against New Zealand in Denver

England defeated the Kiwis 36-18 in front of a crowd of 19,320 in Denver, Colorad last Saturday in the first international Rugby League game to be staged in the USA for 18 years.

The game against France will be the first time UK supporters will be able to watch the World Cup finalists in action in this country since the 2016 Four Nations.

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England and France last met in their final group stage game of the RLWC2017 in Perth, Australia, with England securing a 36-6 victory.

In 2015, Leigh Sports Village hosted England v France as a warm up fixture prior to the Autumn International Series against the Kiwis that saw England lift the Baskerville Shield.

Director of Rugby, Kevin Sinfield said: “2018 is a hugely important year for England Rugby League and the mid-season test against Denver was the first step in building on the success of reaching the World Cup final in 2017.

“The Denver Test showed the appetite for International Rugby League away

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from the UK and Australia and the victory against New Zealand showed that we’re heading

in the right direction as a team.

“The French Tests have been good for us over the last couple of years and it’s great to have another game lined up on home soil ahead of the Autumn Series.

“It will give the team the chance to regroup after the end of the season before we face New Zealand again.”