2 publishers · first seen Wed, 28 Oct 2026 15:04 UTC · updated Thu, 29 Oct 2026 10:43 UTC
Mikey Lewis will again be on the bench for England's crucial World Cup match against Papua New Guinea on Friday, after scoring two tries in a 20-minute substitute appearance in the 82-0 win over France. England must win by a large margin and hope Tonga beats Samoa by at least 68 points to progress to the semi-finals. Lewis acknowledged his form this year was not the best but said he earned his place through recent performances for England and is focused on helping the team succeed. He emphasized the squad's belief in their ability to achieve their goals if they put in the hard work.
England's fate depends on a points difference swing, as Tonga would advance ahead of them due to their head-to-head result. Lewis expressed hope that Tonga defeats Samoa, but stressed that England must first do their part. Team-mate Jez Litten will start the match, a move Lewis described as deserved. The game will also mark the final appearance for England and Hull KR player Rhyse Martin, who is retiring from professional rugby.
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