In The Sportsman’s latest episode of The Last Tackle, England Head Coach Shaun Wane has discussed the upcoming mid-season international against France in Toulouse on Saturday.
“It’s really important that we have our eyes wide open and understanding that we [England] need to be strong in a few years time, and that’s the way I’m going to pick my French team,” Wane said.
“In last year’s French Test, there were a few players that didn’t know me to start with. We then spent a few days together, going through footage, and understanding my principals and what I expect.
“Andy Last and Lee Briers also do a lot, but I’ve got my principles that I want to stick to as well. It’s all about behaviours and what we represent – that we live and breathe England Rugby League every day.
“Those sort of things are really important for me to get over to the players and that’s what the French Test does. We’re together for five or six days and then it’s also great preparation for the Samoa tests.”
Shaun Wane will reveal his England team for this year’s mid-season international this afternoon, with Saturday’s game marking the 90th anniversary since the two teams first met in France, and 90 years of the game in the republic.
Their most recent meeting came in 2023’s mid-season international contest at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, with England running out as 64-0 victors.
This time however, Wane recognises that it could be a completely different outcome on French territory:
“I’ll pick on form and it will be a younger team, there’s no doubt about that,” explained Wane.
“The French team are going to be strong – they’ve got an anniversary coming up and it’s in Toulouse. They will be very, very good [on Saturday] and Catalans are releasing all their players to them for this game.
“And if that’s the case, then we want to go over there and we want to win that game. We want to spread the good name of Super League and make sure we’re at our best.”
To select his England squad, Wane admits he spends a lot of time watching Super League; focusing on a range of different factors, but especially a player’s current form:
“I watch the players every week in Super League. And we will pick on form for the French game, but there will also be an element of looking for the younger end and making sure that we’re ready for the next World Cup.”
On playing for England, Wane is full of pride and passion and outlined what he wants his players to feel when they are called up to represent their country:
“I want the players to enjoy it. Playing for England has to be enjoyable and a pleasure, and we’re all proud Englishmen. When we get together it’s not just about pushing each other really hard, it’s about enjoying our time together and the spirit we have.
“The most enjoyable thing for me is how quick players buy into what we’re about. We talk about doing the simple things really – and having the English spirit of never giving in.
“I’m in regular conversation with certain players and the feedback I get is that they can’t wait to play for England and the spirit we have is like a club team - and that’s what I wanted to create and that’s what we’ve had, previously.”
Looking ahead, the England boss acknowledges the importance of a strong international calendar long-term, and how this can also help in making other teams stronger:
“The more stronger international teams we have the better. We need to make sure that other nations are getting stronger and that the international calendar is getting full.
“That’s what the fans want to watch - they love it. Look at the last World Cup – the amount of fans watching was phenomenal.
“It’s something which we need to understand, get behind and support. Having a rock-solid international calendar is vital for our game moving forward, and having a calendar of quality teams to play against is so important to us.”
On coaching himself, Wane believes he has the dream job and is determined to build on and drive England's success:
“For me, coaching the best players in the competition is fantastic but also watching young kids come through is just the best job in the world.
"It’s so enjoyable it’s untrue. It’s all about finding that blend of experience and that young fire in your belly sort of player. It’s part of coaching and what you have to do - and hopefully I get it right."
Watch the full episode here.
More details on the England v France's double-header can be found here.
England’s Men and Women will play France in Toulouse on Saturday 29 June, as the French Rugby League (FFR XIII) celebrates 90 years of the game in the republic.
England Women take on France at 3.30pm (local time, 2:30pm UK), followed by the Men’s international at 6pm (5pm, UK) – and both matches will be streamed LIVE and FREE from Stade Ernest-Wallon on SuperLeague+, Rugby League’s global, direct-to-consumer streaming service.
SuperLeague+ is available online at superleague.co.uk/superleagueplus, via the SuperLeague+ app on iOS and Android devices, and on connected TV platforms (Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV).
