England’s wheelchair rugby league squad enters the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals with a clear mandate: defeat host nation Australia to secure their spot in the final. The match, scheduled for Tuesday at 9:45am, pits the reigning champions against the home crowd, with France facing Ireland in the other semi-final earlier in the day at 6:45am. For England, the path to glory is straightforward but demanding, as they look to extend their dominance in the sport.
Defending champions face host nation in high-stakes clash for a place in the final.
The Three Lions arrive as the tournament favorites, having navigated their pool stage with an undefeated record against Ireland, Wales, and the USA. Their status as defending champions, cemented by their 2022 triumph on home soil, sets a high bar for performance. However, the upcoming clash against Australia is far from a formality, given the intensity of their recent history. The two teams met last year in the Wheelchair Ashes series in Australia, where England secured a 2-0 series victory, proving their ability to perform under pressure in hostile environments.
Key player Rob Hawkins, a mainstay for England since 2019, acknowledges the heightened challenge ahead. While England’s recent head-to-head success provides confidence, Hawkins notes that Australia will have evolved and improved since their 2025 meetings. The semi-final represents a critical test of England’s resilience, requiring them to outperform the host nation to continue their title defense and claim another World Cup crown.
Source: Sky Sports
