# England face Tonga in World Cup opener

> England captain George Williams says his side will embrace the underdog role against a powerful Tonga team in Perth on Saturday.
- Title: England face Tonga in World Cup opener · BBC Sport | Shortify
- Summary: England captain George Williams says his side will embrace the underdog role against a powerful Tonga team in Perth on Saturday. England begin their Rugby…
- Keywords: england rugby league, tonga rugby league, rugby league world cup 2026, george williams, perth, brian mcdermott, sports, England, face, Tonga, World, Cup
- Source: BBC Sport — https://bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/articles/cx7vprd744y9o
- Published: 2026-10-16T13:26:51.211+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: england rugby league, tonga rugby league, rugby league world cup 2026, george williams, perth, brian mcdermott, sports
## England embrace underdog tag
England captain George Williams says his side will relish being underdogs when they face Tonga in their World Cup opener in Perth on Saturday.

> We'll be underdogs but we'll quite like that kind of brush on our head
## England's recent history with Tonga
England defeated Tonga three nil in a Test series at home three years ago and won a dramatic World Cup semi-final against them in Auckland in two thousand seventeen.
## Late squad changes for England
England have suffered a blow with Morgan Smithies withdrawing through injury. Luke Thompson replaces Morgan Knowles in the starting line-up for Saturday's match.
## Tonga's strength and conditions
Tonga are packed with NRL talent and have evolved since two thousand twenty-three. Humidity is expected to be above sixty percent inside HBF Park in Perth.

> Tonga are a stacked team. They have been for a few years now
## England's World Cup disappointments
England fell to a golden-point loss to Samoa in the last four in two thousand twenty-two and were beaten six nil by Australia in the two thousand seventeen final.
## McDermott brings new attacking approach
Brian McDermott replaced Shaun Wane as England head coach after the Ashes loss in two thousand twenty-five. He has promised a point of difference in attack for the World Cup.
## England's path to the semi-finals
With Australia and New Zealand expected to advance from Pool A, England will likely fight Tonga, Samoa and Papua New Guinea for the other two semi-final spots.
## Women's team face Wales first
England's women get their World Cup campaign under way directly before the men's match, taking on Wales in Perth at zero seven thirty five BST.England thrashed Wales sixty two nil in August two thousand twenty-five.
## Key takeaway

England begin their Rugby League World Cup campaign against Tonga in Perth on Saturday, with captain George Williams backing his squad to thrive as underdogs despite recent losses in major tournaments.