Rugby League World Cup Today: England Lead Teams Aiming For Quarter-Final Spots

A number of places in the last eight will be secured on Saturday
07:00, 29 Oct 2022

Hosts England are expected to finish off their convincing Rugby League World Cup group stage with another big win on Saturday when they face tournament first-timers Greece at Bramall Lane. Australia and Fiji should also advance on a busy day of matches.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s action…

England v Greece - Group A

Where: Bramall Lane, Sheffield.

When: 2:30pm (BST)

TV: BBC One and BBC iPlayer

Referee: Belinda Sharpe (Australia)

Last meeting: N/A - First meeting

England’s RLWC so far: Beat Samoa 60-6, Beat France 42-18

Greece’s RLWC so far: Lost to France 12-34, Lost to Samoa 4-72

Shaun Wane is set to shuffle his pack again after naming a matchday 19 that doesn't include his captain Sam Tomkins. George Williams will instead lead the side out, with Kallum Watkins, Herbie Farnworth, Michael McIlorum and Elliott Whitehead all missing out on this first ever meeting with Greece.

Jack Welsby is a candidate to start at full-back in Tomkins' place, while Kai Pearce-Paul should make his competitive debut. With Tommy Makinson, Ryan Hall and Dom Young all named, the St Helens star could be an option in one of the centre spots vacated by Watkins and Farnworth.

Sportsman stat: England have won their last two matches against teams they haven't previously met, beating Lebanon at the 2017 World Cup and Scotland in the 2016 Four Nations tournament. Their previous such clash was a 15-14 defeat to Italy in Salford ahead of the 2013 World Cup.

Betfred odds: England 1/500, Greece 33/1, draw 66/1

THE FIJIANS HAMMERED ITALY FOLLOWING THE LOSS TO AUSTRALIA
THE FIJIANS HAMMERED ITALY FOLLOWING THE LOSS TO AUSTRALIA

Fiji v Scotland - Greece B

Where: Kingston Park, Newcastle.

When: 5pm (BST)

TV: BBC Two and BBC iPlayer

Referee: Tom Grant (England)

Last meeting: Scotland 18-16 Fiji (Gosford, RLWC 2008)

Fiji's World Cup so far: Lost to Australia 8-42, Beat Italy 60-4

Scotland's World Cup so far: Lost to Italy 4-28, Lost to Australia 0-84

Scotland's tournament so far has been a huge disappointment. A scratchy performance against Italy in Newcastle on the opening weekend saw them lose 28-4, and they followed that up with a huge no-show in Coventry as 11-time champions Australia cast them aside with ease in a 15-try display. The least Nathan Graham will be expecting from his side is a much-improved showing, even if they are long odds to take anything from a multi-skilled Fiji side.

The Fijians ought to reach the quarter-finals with a little to spare, and they have named a strong squad once more for their final group fixture, led by halfback Brandon Wakeham and hooker Apisai Koroisau.

Sportsman stat: Since Scotland's 18-16 win in 2008 in their only previous meeting, Fiji have won eight and lost six of their World Cup matches with five defeats coming at the hands of Australia and the other defeat being against England. In that same span, the Scots have won two of 10 RLWC matches and conceded exactly 400 points.

Betfred odds: Fiji 1/500, Scotland 25/1, draw 100/1

ADDO-CARR IS RESTED AFTER SIX TRIES IN TWO GAMES
ADDO-CARR IS RESTED AFTER SIX TRIES IN TWO GAMES

Australia v Italy - Group B

Where: Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens.

When: 7:30pm (BST)

TV: BBC Red Button and BBC iPlayer

Referee: Liam Moore (England)

Last meeting: Italy 22-67 Australia (Treviso, 1960)

Australia’s RLWC so far: Beat Fiji 42-8, Beat Scotland 84-0

Italy's RLWC so far: Beat Scotland 28-4, Lost to Samoa 4-60

Australia are shaping up just nicely, thank you. Their latest defence of the World Cup didn't get off to the most perfect start as they fell behind early to Fiji but since then they have been clinical. Mal Meninga has made changes to his squad once more, with six-try flyer Josh Addo-Carr and hugely-influential newcomer Harry Grant among those missing out for their final group game.

The Azzurri could theoretically still qualify, but they would need Scotland to spring a massive shock on Fiji or, even more unlikely, beat the Fijians' winning margin over Scotland by 54 points against the 11-time world champions.

Sportsman stat: Australia and Italy have only ever met twice in history until now, and those games came on consecutive days. At the end of a four-month Kangaroo Tour in 1959-60, the Aussies beat Italy 37-15 on Saturday, January 23 in Padua, then stuck 67 on them the following day in Treviso with a team showing seven changes. Ken Irvine scored six of the tourists' 15 tries in Game 2, with the visitors crossing 24 times in total over the weekend.

Betfred odds: Australia 1/1000, Italy 33/1, draw 66/1

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