France and England are preparing for a highly-anticipated rugby league match as part of the French Rugby League Federation’s 90th-anniversary celebrations. The game is set to take place tomorrow evening at the Stade Ernest-Wallon in Toulouse. Laurent Frayssinous, the head coach of the French national team, has provided insight into the conditions that needed to be met for the game to proceed.
The match, scheduled to kick off at 6 pm local time, will feature the England and France Women’s teams before Toulouse Olympique takes on Featherstone Rovers in what promises to be a thrilling day of rugby league action.
Shaun Wane, the head coach of the England team, will unfortunately be unable to attend the game due to an earlier operation. As a result, Andy Last will be stepping up to lead the team in Wane’s absence.
According to Frayssinous, the English team had stipulated that the game would only proceed if France fielded their strongest possible side. In a recent interview with French publication L’Independant, Frayssinous revealed, “The English didn’t want to play us. Finally, they needed us to reassure them of the quality of the side that we were going to select to face them.”
The upcoming game marks a significant contrast from when the two teams last met in 2023, resulting in a convincing 64-0 victory for the England side. France has since named a much stronger squad for the upcoming match, with the Catalans Dragons making 13 players available and Sydney Roosters allowing one of their star talents to join the team in Toulouse. Frayssinous expressed confidence in the quality of the French squad, citing it as the decisive factor that ultimately secured the game.
This forthcoming clash presents an opportunity for France to make history by claiming victory against England for the first time since 1981. Frayssinous is optimistic about the team’s chances, stating, “We must show greater patience when the moment arrives to drive home the advantage. If we can stay in the arm wrestle and go nose to nose with them until the hour mark, we will be able to profit from our strengths and their weaknesses to win.”
As fans eagerly anticipate the showdown, the excitement surrounding the game is palpable. With the stage set for what promises to be an enthralling encounter between England and France, all eyes will be on Toulouse as the two teams prepare to battle it out on the rugby league field.
For more information on how to watch the game, please visit the official website for details.