England hooker Brad O'Neill emphasized that his team will prioritize winning over points difference in their upcoming match against France during the Rugby League World Cup 2026 in Perth this Saturday.

Following a disappointing 30-12 defeat to Tonga, England's hopes of reaching the semi-finals hinge precariously on their performance and external results. Despite the dire situation, head coach Brian McDermott has opted for an unchanged 19-man matchday squad, indicating a steadfast approach against a reeling French team, which recently suffered a 78-4 loss to Samoa.

O'Neill stated, "We have discussed what is required but I feel like the mentality can't be any different to what we had against Tonga. We can't go into this game thinking about the points difference. We've got to go into this game hard-nosed like we did against Tonga, and hopefully if we do our jobs well enough we're going to get the win."

The convoluted cross-group format means England needs Tonga to defeat Samoa in their final group game to maintain a chance of advancing, contingent on other results.

Key points include:

• McDermott insists on consistency despite the challenging outlook.
• O'Neill acknowledges familiarity with players from Catalans and Toulouse in France.
• England aims for improved execution after their last performance, maintaining belief in their potential.

As the team prepares for the crucial match, they remain resolute in their strategy, focusing on execution and teamwork rather than the complexities of points calculations. The match is set to kick off at 7.35am (UK and Ireland time), with the England women facing Australia shortly after.