France vs England Predictions: Back Williams to cross

A new-look England side look to extend their winning run over France to 23 straight matches in this year’s mid-season international in Toulouse, with several new faces set to be given their chance at the Stade Ernest Wallon (Kick-off 17:00)

The sides met last April with England earning a thumping 64-0 win in Warrington, this one though looks like it could be much tighter.

France vs England Odds

Team News

England head coach Shaun Wane is himself the big-name absentee, as he is unable to travel to the south of France following ankle surgery, leaving Andy Last in charge of the team.

None of England's NRL-based players have been considered for this fixture meaning some new names will get to stake a claim for a shirt.

Wigan hooker Brad O’Neill is set to make his international debut after a breakthrough year at club level, while Castleford centre Sam Wood also looks poised to earn his first England cap.

There will be international debuts too for Hull KR forward Elliot Minchella and Huddersfield forward Oliver Wilson.

Other new faces in the 19-man squad are Leeds Rhinos forward James McDonnell and St Helens prop George Delaney, but Hull KR’s Jez Litten has pulled out of the squad with illness.

George Williams will captain the side that includes nine players involved in last autumn’s Test series win over Tonga.

France name a strong squad that relies heavily on the Catalans Dragons. Indeed 14 of boss Laurent Frayssinous’s initial 22-man squad are Dragons players.

Other star names include Leeds Rhinos prop Justin Sangare, Huddersfield’s Hugo Salabio, Hull FC new boy Tiaki Chan and Enzo Griffier of the Sydney Roosters. It is a strong squad that will look to take advantage of the potential lack of international experience in the England side.

Handicap 3-way France 18  @ 1/1

France have a wretched record against England but I feel this will be a much better day for them than that dismal 64-0 reverse last spring. Their last home win against England was way back in 1977 (I wasn’t even born then believe it or not) and they got within 20 points of England the last time this game was played on French soil – losing out 30-10.

The strong Catalans contingent in the home side, allied with what looks like being a fair few new combinations in an England side without its head coach, gives me some reason for optimism that this won’t be a blowout.

I do expect Englnd to win, they have far too much quality in that squad and almost half of the party was involved in that Tonga whitewash series win at the end of last season.

So I’m thinking of a similar scoreline to when these two sides last met on French soil, with a slight nod towards France improving that handicap slightly. I’ve gone for France with an 18-point start and look forward to a George Williams masterclass embarrassing me hugely.

George Williams Anytime Tryscorer @ 6/4

Speaking of which, I’m going to go for England’s skipper on the anytime try scorer market this week. I have been rewarded a few times by the Warrington magician this season already, and we tend to see the very best of Williams when he is wearing an England shirt.

At 6/4 in a game his side should win and one that will see the ball in his hands perhaps more than any other player, I feel like Williams will prove a strike player for England in Toulouse.

Mikey Lewis appeals too at 5/4 while Fouad Yaha and Arthur Romano would be my French picks at 5/4 and 7/4 respectively.

But whenever there has been a chance to back Williams this year I have gone for it and it isn’t often that he lets you down.

Rugby League Tips from Betfred Insights.