England’s hopes of remaining in the Men’s Rugby League World Cup will depend on a series of results going their way next weekend, after the team preserved a route through to the next stage of the tournament.
The required scenario includes a victory for Tonga and a 68-point swing in the relevant standings. England therefore remain in contention, but their progress is not fully in their own hands.
The combination of results and points difference means England face a difficult route to avoiding an early exit. A Tonga win would be necessary, while the specified points swing would also need to be achieved for England’s position to improve sufficiently.
The decisive matches are due to take place next weekend. Until those fixtures are completed, England’s final World Cup fate remains unresolved, although the team’s prospects depend on the results and points margins from the upcoming games.
