England relish the underdog role as they open the Rugby League World Cup against Tonga

The story

England kick off their Rugby League World Cup campaign against Tonga in Perth on Saturday, and captain George Williams says the team is fine with being cast as underdogs. Tonga arrives stacked with NRL stars and has improved since England beat them 3-0 in a home series three years ago. Humidity inside HBF Park is expected above 60 percent, a far cry from cold November nights in Leeds. England have already lost Morgan Smithies to injury, and Luke Thompson steps in for the absent Morgan Knowles. Williams, 31, said Tonga are a stacked side and that England will bring their game anyway. He brushed off talk that past World Cup near misses, including a golden point semi final loss to Samoa in 2022, will hold the group back under new coach Brian McDermott. McDermott took over after a tough Ashes series and has promised a clearer attacking edge without turning the Test into a free for all. England sit in a combined pool fight with Tonga, Samoa and Papua New Guinea for the remaining semi final spots behind Australia and New Zealand. The women's side open against Wales earlier the same day in Perth.