{
  "id": 16291741,
  "title": "Men's Rugby League World Cup - England face France in must-win match",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/mens-rugby-league-world-cup-england-face-france-in-must-win-match",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-24T06:50:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/mens-rugby-league-world-cup-053543371.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "England face France in a must-win Pool B/C encounter at Perth Rectangular Stadium, with a loss potentially ending their Rugby League World Cup aspirations. Following a 30-12 opening defeat to Tonga, England's path to the semi-finals requires a significant victory over France and favorable results elsewhere. According to Rugby World, England's fate is no longer in their own hands regardless of the outcome in Perth.\n\nBrian McDermott has made one change to the England starting line-up, with Matty Ashton replacing Zach Eckersley on the wing, according to Rugby World. TechRadar reports that McDermott has otherwise picked an unchanged side, noting that Mikey Lewis misses the matchday squad while AJ Brimson continues at fullback and Jack Welsby is at interchange. France enter the match after a 78-4 loss to Samoa. TechRadar reports that Thomas Lacans will start at five-eighth, Romeo Tropis at center, and Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet on the wing, with captain Ben Garcia starting at lock. Rugby World adds that Amir Bourouh has been named at hooker.\n\nThe match is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, with kick-off at 7.35am BST, according to TechRadar and Rugby World. Yahoo Sports notes that BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra will provide commentary for the match in the UK.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "England balancing points chase and discipline at World Cup",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/england-balancing-points-chase-and-discipline-at-world-cup",
        "published": "2026-10-23T11:39:35.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News AU",
        "title": "Live: Jillaroos to face England as World Cup demolitions continue",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/live-jillaroos-to-face-england-as-world-cup-demolitions-continue",
        "published": "2026-10-24T07:45:38.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}