England Recalls World Cup Winner Jack Brown for France Tour

World Cup winner Jack Brown, who scored two tries when England defeated France to secure the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup two years prior, is set to rejoin the England wheelchair squad. Brown will travel from Australia to participate in two international fixtures in northern France, as part of a 16-member team aiming to conclude the year successfully against France. Coach Tom Coyd’s team is scheduled to compete against Spain in Nantes on Thursday, followed by a match against France in Saint Lo on Saturday. The Thursday fixture in Nantes will be part of a double-header event, which also includes a game between the host nation, France, and Ireland. Brown was absent from England’s 66-33 victory over France in Wigan in October due to his club obligations with the North Queensland Cowboys in the Wheelchair NRL. However, he is anticipated to play on Saturday. Coach Coyd also plans to provide an opportunity for some of his less experienced players in the initial match against Spain. Coyd stated: “As a coach, it’s brilliant for me to able to have a short tour with two fixtures allowing our England performance squad to enjoy that unique experience of representing their country abroad – and spreading the word about wheelchair rugby league.” The Irish squad features Melanie Griffith, who also competes internationally in Para-badminton, and James McCarthy, a two-time Paralympian with experience representing his nation in six different sports. Ireland head coach Phil Roberts commented: “This will be a step up in intensity for much of the squad who are all excited for the opportunity on the road to the 2026 World Cup.” The schedule for the matches is as follows: * **Thursday, 21 November, Creps des Pays de la Loire, Nantes:** * 16:00 GMT: England v Spain * 19:00 GMT: France v Ireland * **Saturday, 23 November, Pole Hippique, Saint Lo:** * 16:00 GMT: France v England The confirmed squads are: * **France:** Pierre Botte, Thomas Duhalde, Julien Pennella (Aingirak Euskadi), Jeremy Bourson, Gilles Clausells, Nicolas Clausells, Damien Dore, Panzo Gelade, Jonathan Hivernat, Leo Hivernat, Victor Puly, Arno Vargas (Catalans Dragons), Lionel Alazard (Montauban Handisport), Thomas Candela, Lisa Lartigue (Rfc Toulon), Guillaume Dubruel (Stade Toulousain Olympique), Florian Guttadoro, Adrien Zittel (So Avignon Handi) * **England:** Seb Bechara (Catalans Dragons), Wayne Boardman, Rob Hawkins, Nathan Holmes (Halifax Panthers), Tristan Norfolk (Hull FC), Josh Butler, Nathan Collins, Tom Halliwell (Leeds Rhinos), Mason Billington, Joe Coyd, Lewis King, Jason Owen (London Roosters), Jack Brown (North Queensland Cowboys), Chris Haynes (Sheffield Eagles), Jack Heggie (Wigan Warriors), Adam Rigby (Wigan Warriors) * **Ireland:** Cian Horgan, James McCarthy, Maurice Noonan (Munster), Joseph Calcott (Halifax Panthers), Matt Wooloff, Phil Roberts, Toby Burton Carter (Wigan Warriors), Melanie Griffith, Oran Spain (Leinster), Peter Johnston (Argonauts) * **Spain (names still to be added):** Eric Perez, Anthony Martin (Biganos Eagles), Joe Lacombe, Mathieu Monedero, Pascal Ambrosino (Catalans Dragons), Wil Seron, Yannick Martin (Mountauban Pandas)