RLWC2021 – England v Greece: Team news, how to watch on TV & predictions

Josh McAllister
England v Greece

Everything you need to know – England v Greece.

This will be England’s first-ever international against Greece, and the first rugby league international played at Sheffield’s Bramall Lane.

Shaun Wane has made a number of changes to his squad, with Joe Batchelor and Kai Pearce-Paul set to make their England debuts.

Greece are yet to pick up a win in their inaugural World Cup but can be proud of their efforts so far.

Match details

  • England v Greece
  • Date: Saturday 29 October
  • Kick-off time: 2:30pm
  • Venue: Bramall Lane, Sheffield
  • Group A

England v Greece team news

England 19-man squad: 2. Tommy Makinson, 5 Ryan Hall, 6. Jack Welsby, 7. George Williams, 8. Tom Burgess, 10. Luke Thompson, 12. John Bateman, 13. Victor Radley, 14. Dom Young, 15. Morgan Knowles, 16. Matty Lees, 17. Mike Cooper, 18. Chris Hill, 19. Andy Ackers, 20. Mike McMeeken, 21. Marc Sneyd, 22. Joe Batchelor, 23. Mikolaj Oledzki, 24. Kai Pearce-Paul.

Greece 19-man squad: 2. Siteni Taukamo, 3. Terry Constantinou, 4. Nick Mougios, 5. Johnny Mitsias, 6. Lachlan Ilas, 7. Jordan Meads, 8. Robert Tuliatu, 9. Peter Mamouzelos, 10. Stefanos Basos, 11. Mitchell Zampetides, 12. Nick Flocas, 14. Jake Kambos, 16. Sebastian Sell, 17. Theodoros Niniakas, 19. Liam Sue-Tin, 20. Ioannis Kake, 21. Konstantinos Katsidonis, 22. Ioannis Rousoglou, 25. Adam Vrahnos.

What the two camps are saying

England boss Shaun Wane said: “The team is going to be slightly different but the intent will be the same. We’ve got 24 people in the squad and I need to see everybody.

“I’ve got two very talented players making their Test debuts for our great country and I’m excited to see them play. The team I’ve selected for Saturday is very strong.

“I want everybody fit, ready and hungry. It’s vital that everybody plays and I want to be fair. It’s the right thing to do. I want them all to play.”

Greece captain Jordan Meads said: “It’s going to be an amazing experience.“We went to Bramall Lane the other day and it was ten-fold what I expected.

“It’s going to be something we’re going to remember for the rest of our lives. We’re really proud of our efforts so far but we know the job’s not done yet and there’s no greater challenge than playing the home nation.”

How can I watch the game on TV?

Every game across the men’s, women’s and wheelchair World Cup tournaments is being broadcast by the BBC.

England v Greece is on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. 

READ: How to watch every Rugby League World Cup game on the BBC

Odds and predictions

As expected, England are heavy favourites for this clash on Saturday. A Greece win is priced at 33/1 with Planet Sport Bet, with the odds of a draw the exact same.

It’s hard not to see anything but a win for the team on home soil here.

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