England Wheelchair finish group stage unbeaten after thriller against Ireland

England Wheelchair secured top spot in their 2026 Rugby League World Cup group with an entertaining 68-32 victory over Ireland in Wollongong on Friday, maintaining their 100% record in the pool stages.

Both nations had already booked their place in the semi-finals before kick-off at the WIN Entertainment Centre, but top spot in the group remained up for grabs.

It was Ireland made the dream start, stunning England with two early tries.

Their captain Joe Calcott was the architect of the opening score, coming up with an offload to send Peter Johnston Jnr over. Johnston Jnr converted his own try for a 6-0 lead.

Ireland continued to capitalise on their opportunities and extended their advantage with a penalty goal before Calcott again provided the assist for Toby Burton-Carter to score in the corner.

Johnston Jnr maintained his perfect record from the tee to put Ireland 14-0 ahead.

England responded through Lewis King, who finished in the corner following their first real attacking set close the Irish line, although Nathan Collins was unable to add the conversion.

Ireland, however, were not done there. 20-year-old Oran Spain produced a brilliant individual effort to restore their momentum and left England with plenty of work to do.

That proved to be the catalyst for England's revival though, and Tom Coyd’s side grew into the contest from that point onwards.

Joe Coyd sliced through Ireland's defence before King crossed for his second try of the afternoon. England’s leading try scorer in the tournament Rob Hawkins then raced clear for a breakaway score before the interval, with Collins converting to edge England in front at 22-20.

It capped a breathless first half between two sides already guaranteed a place in the last four.

Then, England emerged from the break in dominant fashion and never looked back.

Hawkins and Coyd each completed their hat-tricks early in the second half as England side began to pull clear. Mason Billington then added his name to the scoresheet with 18 minutes remaining.

Coyd claimed his fourth try of the match before Billington produced a flying finish in the corner for his second score as England completed an impressive comeback win.

Calcott grabbed his side’s fourth try of the match, but England hit back once more through Jack Brown, whose score came almost immediately after his brother’s. Finlay O'Neill successfully converted.

Jack Magnan did have the final say for Ireland as he broke clear for a late score, but England's victory was never in doubt. 

It brought the curtain down on a thrilling game of Wheelchair Rugby League, with England piling on 46 points in a dominant second half display to claim first place in the group. 

Details of England's semi-final opponents will be confirmed later today.

England:

Tries: King x2, Coyd x4, Hawkins x3, Billington x2, Brown

Goals: Collins (9/11), O’Neill (1/1)

Ireland:

Tries: Johnston Jr, Burton-Carter, Spain, Calcott, Mangan

Goals: Johnston Jr (5/5), Spain (1/1)