England head coach Brian McDermott has criticized the Rugby League World Cup format as "harsh," emphasizing the challenging path his team faces to progress. After last Saturday's defeat to Tonga, England now relies on Tonga defeating Samoa in their upcoming group match to maintain any realistic hopes of reaching the semi-finals.

This scenario puts England and Samoa in a tight competition, where points difference will determine advancement—a daunting challenge considering Samoa's impressive 78-4 victory over France in their opening match.

McDermott expressed his frustration, stating, "The jeopardy is losing one game is so harsh, it's almost like we don't get another chance to straighten things out." England is set to face France in their next group game on Saturday in Perth.

Key points include:

• The tournament has been reduced to 10 men's teams due to France withdrawing as hosts in 2023.
• The current format means one of the top five nations will be eliminated in the first stage.
• In contrast, favorites Australia and New Zealand are almost assured a spot in the last four due to their placement in a conventional group.

McDermott acknowledged the slim chance of advancing but emphasized the team's focus and determination. He noted that while New Zealand had also lost, they still had another opportunity to qualify, unlike England.

In squad news, Matty Ashton replaces Zach Eckersley for the match against France, while star player Mikey Lewis remains a reserve. McDermott praised Lewis's contributions in camp despite his absence from the starting lineup, indicating that changes at half-back have been considered but he felt confident in the current selection. England's squad for the match includes notable players like AJ Brimson, Dom Young, and George Williams.