Debutant: Wigan’s Kai Pearce-Paul will start for England against France in Bolton
(Picture: Getty Images for Rugby League World Cup)Londer Kai Pearce-Paul looks set to make his England debut at the Rugby League World Cup against France tomorrow after coach Shaun Wane shook up his matchday squad.
Following a resounding 60-6 win in their tournament opener against Samoa last week, Wane has called up all the players who missed out on that initial squad.
Pearce-Paul, who came through the London Broncos academy before moving to Wigan Warriors, is expected to be one of two England debutants alongside Joe Batchelor.
England are also boosted by the return of Pearce-Paul’s Wigan team-mate John Bateman, who missed the Samoa game after serving a suspension carried over from the Super League season.
Looking ahead to tomorrow’s match, Wane said: “It was very difficult to pick the last team because the players I didn’t pick were all in good form.
“I was impressed by their response, all 24 care passionately about their country. They understand I can only pick 17 on match day and this week is their chance.
“Then we’ve got the Greece game and hopefully we’ve got the quarter-finals. Then it’s fair game, whoever I’m convinced will get us that win in the quarter-final will play.”
