Rugby: Mikey Lewis remains among England reserves as Brian McDermott keeps faith for France clash

George Williams and Harry Smith retain the half-back places after the defeat by Tonga, while Morgan Knowles remains unavailable through injury.

Mikey Lewis remains outside England’s provisional matchday 19 for Saturday’s Rugby League World Cup meeting with France, with Brian McDermott retaining his starting side.

England return to HBF Park in Perth on 24 October, with kick-off at 7.35am BST, seeking their first victory after losing 30-12 to Tonga.

The RFL’s official announcement includes Lewis in the wider 22-player group. Kallum Watkins replaces the injured Morgan Knowles in that group, joining Lewis and Ben Talty among the additional reserves.

Mikey Lewis remains behind England’s selected half-back pairing

Captain George Williams again partners Harry Smith, while AJ Brimson retains the full-back position and Jack Welsby is named among the six interchange options.

Lewis was also among the reserves for the Tonga opener. His position differs from Welsby’s: Welsby is included in the provisional matchday group, while Lewis sits outside it.

Under the men’s World Cup bench rules, teams can name six interchange players but introduce only four of them. Welsby and Matty Ashton were unused against Tonga, and both remain on the announced bench for France.

England need a response after Tonga defeat

England trailed 10-0 at half-time in their opener before Brimson’s try helped reduce the deficit to four points.

Tonga then scored twice in three minutes to regain control. Dom Young also crossed for England, but Haumole Olakau’atu’s second try settled the contest, as detailed in the RFL’s match report.

France are followed by Papua New Guinea on 30 October. England’s route to the World Cup semi-finals also depends on results elsewhere: winning their remaining matches would not automatically secure qualification.

England’s provisional team to face France

Selection	Players
Starting backs	AJ Brimson; Dom Young, Hugo Savala, Herbie Farnworth, Zach Eckersley; George Williams, Harry Smith
Starting forwards	Max King, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson; Junior Nsemba, Kai Pearce-Paul; Victor Radley
Interchange	Jez Litten, Ben Currie, Ethan Havard, Sam Walters, Jack Welsby, Matty Ashton
Additional reserves	Kallum Watkins, Mikey Lewis, Ben Talty

The RFL describes the matchday 19 as provisional.