Image source, SWPix Image caption, Matty Ashton has scored six tries in five previous appearances for England BySteve SutcliffeBBC Sport journalist Published 23 October 2026, 12:39 BST Updated 4 hours ago England winger Matty Ashton has stressed the need to balance the chase for points with retaining discipline when they face France in Perth on Saturday in their second World Cup group fixture.

Defeat by Tonga last weekend has left England needing results elsewhere to go in their favour over rounds two and three.

And Brian McDermott's side also need to make up a hefty points difference in Group B-C after Samoa thrashed the French 78-4 in their first match.

However, Ashton, 28, insists that the focus will be on repeating and adding to their performance against Tonga, which was brimming with promise but undermined by errors at key moments.

"We know that game is a bit different for us this week.

I don't think anything changes in our process," Ashton said.

"We all know points have got to be scored but we are not going to do that without sticking to our process and we can't take France lightly.

"We need to stick to our basics and the things we did in the Tonga game but obviously improve on that and hopefully the points will pick up." England have scored 106 points across their two previous meetings with France while conceding 18.

However, while Laurent Frayssinous' side found themselves 28-0 down inside the first 20 minutes against Samoa, Ashton expects them to be a different proposition against England on Saturday (07:35 BST).

"We know what style of rugby they can play.

They are pretty exciting when they get their game on," added Ashton, who has replaced Wigan's Zach Eckersley in the starting line-up.

"We will expect a tough challenge and a different France this week.

Any team that concedes 70-odd points is going to focus on their defence and we are a expecting a tough physical start from them.

"They have a big forward pack and they try and put it on you early on." Rugby League World Cup: England v France Saturday, 24 October: 07:35 BST HBF Park, Perth Listen on Sounds Listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app.

Lewis steps up to bench Image source, SWPix Image caption, Mikey Lewis inspired Hull KR to victory over Brisbane Broncos - Reece Walsh and all - in the World Club Challenge in February England head coach Brian McDermott announced on Thursday that Ashton would start on the wing in place of Wigan's Zach Eckersley - the only change to the team who started last Saturday's defeat by Tonga.

Eckersley has now dropped out of the 19 altogether, with Hull KR half-back Mikey Lewis stepping up to the bench in his place.

Lewis beat Leeds' Jake Connor to a place in McDermott's 23-man World Cup squad, but was not included in the 19 for the Tonga game, with Harry Smith and captain George Williams filling the half-back roles.

England's task - win twice With England's points difference currently 92 worse than Ben Gardiner's Samoa team in a combined Pool B and C table, they will almost certainly also need to defeat Papua New Guinea on Friday, 30 October (09:05 GMT), to have any chance of reaching the last four.

The format of this tournament features an unbalanced group stage, which has not helped England's prospects.

Pool A has four teams - Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and the Cook Islands - fighting for two semi-final places in a round-robin format.

But Pools B and C are combined into one six-team league, from which only the top two will make the semi-finals.

England, drawn in Pool B, are playing the three Pool C teams - Tonga, France and Papua New Guinea.

Tonga close on semi-final spot Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Jojo Fifita scored two tries in Tonga's victory Tonga are currently in pole position to make the knockout stages after adding to their win over England with a 36-0 victory over Lebanon on Friday.

Sione Katoa and Jojo Fifita scored two tries each against a spirited Lebanon side who had chances themselves before fading in the final 20 minutes.

Lebanon might reflect on a key moment towards the first half when, trailing 10-0 and chasing a try to bring them back into the match, Alex Conti tried to kick towards the corner for Jason Saab, who was unable to collect and only batted it back for Tonga centre Tolutau Koula to run the length of the field and score at the other end.

Paul Alamoti and Leka Halasima scored the other Tonga tries against opponents playing only their third game since the previous World Cup and with only a couple of a youthful squad that lost to Italy in 2025 still involved.

"We had 12 debutants last week, so we just need more footy," said Lebanon coach Michael Cheika.

"We tried to get a warm-up game here.

We weren't allowed, but I don't know who [which governing body] it was [that stopped us].

We need to have a warm-up game.

"We can prepare and start to get ready.

It's not easy for us.

We haven't played a game since the last World Cup.

"Last year we tried to get the spot against the team who had the bye in the second tier of the Pacific Championships, so either a Papua New Guinea or [someone of that ilk] another.

They put a line through it.

"They said: We're lining it up with the teams individually.

I don't even know why.

We never got an answer.