England's Rugby League World Cup campaign begins in Perth on Saturday morning when they take on Pacific powerhouses Tonga.
Head coach Brian McDermott will be hoping to go one better than his predecessor Shaun Wane, who led England to the semi-finals on home soil four years ago.
Wane left after last year's 3-0 Ashes defeat to Australia and McDermott, who guided Leeds Rhinos to four Super League titles, has suggested that England need to do something different if they want to topple the Aussies and New Zealand, who provided a breathtaking opening to the tournament in Sydney on Thursday.
England v Tonga Tips Summary
Best Bet - England to win @ 6/5
Alternative Bet - Dominic Young first tryscorer @ 7/1
Bet Builder - Tri-bet - Any other result, Both teams to score 10 points & Dominic Young to score a try @ 5/1
England v Tonga Prediction
Best Bet: England to win @ 6/5
England will need to hit the ground running in their World Cup bid with the complex nature of the group phase meaning they have no margin for error against Tonga.
One advantage for England is that Tonga also have to play 2022 finalists Samoa, who started the tournament as third-favourites behind Australia and New Zealand, whereas England face France and Papua New Guinea in their subsequent pool matches.
However, defeat would leave McDermott's men relying on a favour from the Samoans and with a need to run up some decent scores against their other two group opponents if the fight for a top-two finish in the combined Pools B & C standings went down to points difference.
The good news is that they have an exemplary record against Tonga.
The pair have met on six occasions previously and England have won the lot, including in the semi-finals of the 2017 World Cup.
Another positive is that the game is likely to suit them better than going set for set with a ruthlessly efficient machine such as the Aussies.
Tonga will be physical and direct and play what is in front of them rather than to a structured gameplan.
The forward battle is one area where England sides have historically matched Australia and New Zealand, so they won't be fazed by a physical tussle, and in centre Herbie Farnworth and winger Dom Young, McDermott has two potent strike weapons who are stars in the NRL.
The form guide isn't the most reliable given how little international rugby league is played, but Tonga have won only one of their last nine matches stretching back to the last World Cup four years ago.
Three of those defeats came in a 3-0 series defeat in England and, at the prices, it may pay to back the underdogs in Perth.
Alternative Bet: Dominic Young first tryscorer @ 7/1
Young burst on to the international stage with nine tries at the last World Cup and the England winger will be hoping to have a similar impact on this year's tournament.
He has not scored an international try since but, after a tough time with Sydney Roosters in the first half of 2025, he has flourished since returning to the Newcastle Knights midway through last year.
The former Huddersfield Giants winger scored 23 tries as the Knights made this season's NRL Grand Final and, since moving to the NRL in 2021, Young has crossed for 96 tries in just 119 games.
England v Tonga Bet Builder Tip
Tribet - Any other result
Both teams to score 10 points
Dominic Young to score a try
Pays 5/1
There is so much riding on Saturday's match in Perth and a handicap line of around two points shows just how tight it is expected to be.
It really could swing either way so backing 'any other result' in the Tribet market could be a wise play. The bet will land if either side wins by no more than six points or the game is tied after 80 minutes.
Given the attacking prowess on show there is no reason why both teams should not score at least 10 points, while England winger Young enjoyed another prolific season in the NRL with the Knights and can score his tenth Rugby League World Cup try.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
England have won all of their six previous meetings with Tonga
The Tongans have won only one of their last nine internationals
England winger Dom Young scored 23 tries for Newcastle Knights in the NRL this season
England lost to Australia in the World Cup finals in 1995 and 2017
Read more rugby league betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
