Samoa vs France is one of the first matches of the Rugby League World Cup 2026, and both teams have named their 17s. Samoa, the 2022 runners-up, bring a side packed with NRL talent. France are led by captain Benjamin Garcia and built around Super League players from Catalans Dragons, Toulouse and Hull KR.
The match is on Friday 16 October 2026 at CommBank Stadium, Parramatta, with kick-off at 5:45 PM AEDT. Follow it on the Samoa vs France live page, or see the match page for venue details. Want an opinion first? Read our Samoa vs France prediction, and check the how to watch guide for TV and streaming.
Samoa vs France: match details
- Match: Samoa vs France (Toa Samoa v Les Chanticleers)
- Competition: Rugby League World Cup 2026, men's tournament
- Stage: Group stage, Round 1
- Date: Friday 16 October 2026
- Kick-off: 5:45 PM AEDT
- Venue: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta, Sydney
- Coaches: Ben Gardiner (Samoa), Laurent Frayssinous (France)
Samoa team: full 17 and bench
Jarome Luai and Junior Paulo are the co-captains, and both played in the 2022 World Cup final. Samoa's matchday 19:
| No. | Position | Player |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fullback | Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow |
| 2 | Wing | Brian To'o |
| 3 | Centre | Izack Tago |
| 4 | Centre | Stephen Crichton |
| 5 | Wing | Deine Mariner |
| 6 | Five-eighth | Chanel Harris-Tavita |
| 7 | Halfback | Jarome Luai |
| 8 | Prop | Francis Molo |
| 9 | Hooker | Benaiah Ioelu |
| 10 | Prop | Junior Paulo |
| 11 | Second row | Connelly Lemuelu |
| 12 | Second row | Jermaine McEwen |
| 13 | Lock | Francis Manuleleua |
| 14 | Interchange | Jazz Tevaga |
| 15 | Interchange | Spencer Leniu |
| 16 | Interchange | Shawn Blore |
| 17 | Interchange | Sua Fa'alogo |
| 18 | Interchange | Ata Mariota |
| 19 | Interchange | Clayton Faulalo |
Samoa team news and talking points
- Luai and Harris-Tavita in the halves. Luai is the playmaker and a co-captain. Harris-Tavita partners him at five-eighth.
- Tabuai-Fidow at the back. Samoa's pace and counter-attack come from fullback, and he is a threat from anywhere on the field.
- Crichton and Tago in the centres. Crichton finished the NRL season playing halfback for Canterbury, so he adds a second kicking and passing option on the edge.
- Manuleleua and McEwen in the back row. Francis Manuleleua is one of the new Samoan names eager to take NRL form onto the international stage.
- Tevaga from the bench. Jazz Tevaga arrives as a Grand Final winner with Wakefield.
France team: full 17 and bench
Benjamin Garcia captains France from the number 9 jersey. France's matchday 19, plus a reserve:
| No. | Position | Player |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fullback | Arthur Mourgue |
| 2 | Wing | Benjamin Laguerre |
| 3 | Centre | Latrell Siegwalt |
| 4 | Centre | Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet |
| 5 | Wing | Leo Darrelatour |
| 6 | Five-eighth | Cesar Rouge |
| 7 | Halfback | Theo Fages |
| 8 | Prop | Romain Navarrete |
| 9 | Hooker | Benjamin Garcia |
| 10 | Prop | Lambert Belmas |
| 11 | Second row | Arthur Romano |
| 12 | Second row | Mathieu Jussaume |
| 13 | Lock | Julian Bousquet |
| 14 | Interchange | Amir Bourouh |
| 15 | Interchange | Tiaki Chan |
| 16 | Interchange | Jordan Dezaria |
| 17 | Interchange | Mathieu Cozza |
| 18 | Interchange | Thomas Lacans |
| 19 | Interchange | Louis Grossemy |
| 20 | Reserve | Jowasa Drodrolagi |
France team news and talking points
- Garcia at hooker. The veteran captain starts in a role that is less familiar to him, and he will direct France around the ruck.
- Mourgue, Rouge and Fages. Hull KR's Arthur Mourgue anchors the spine at fullback, with Cesar Rouge and Theo Fages in the halves.
- Siegwalt in the centres. Latrell Siegwalt brings NRL pedigree from South Sydney.
- Jussaume in the second row. Mathieu Jussaume crossed 16 times in Super League this season and is France's main try threat from the pack.
- Two French clubs in Super League. Catalans and Toulouse mean this group is better drilled together than France sides of the past.
Key battles
- Luai and Harris-Tavita vs Rouge and Fages. Samoa's attacking halves against a France pair who know each other well. If France keep Samoa's shape in front of them early, it stays competitive.
- Samoa's edges vs France's wingers. To'o, Crichton and Tago will test Laguerre, Siegwalt and Darrelatour with width and power.
- The middle. Paulo, Molo and Manuleleua against Navarrete, Belmas and Bousquet. This is where the field-position battle, and probably the margin, is decided.
Samoa vs France history
Samoa beat France 62-4 at the last World Cup. Samoa went on to reach the final, which they lost to Australia, so they arrive with the memory of a deep run. See our Samoa team page and France team page for squad profiles and tournament history.
Kick-off time in your timezone
Kick-off is 5:45 PM in Sydney. All times are for Friday 16 October, except where noted.
| Region | Local time |
|---|---|
| Australia (AEDT, Sydney) | 5:45 PM |
| New Zealand (NZDT) | 7:45 PM |
| Samoa and Tonga | 7:45 PM |
| Fiji | 6:45 PM |
| Papua New Guinea | 4:45 PM |
| Bangladesh | 12:45 PM |
| India (IST) | 12:15 PM |
| South Africa | 8:45 AM |
| France (CEST) | 8:45 AM |
| United Kingdom (BST) | 7:45 AM |
| USA Eastern (ET) | 2:45 AM |
| USA Pacific (PT) | 11:45 PM (Thursday 15 October) |
Need another city? Use the RLWC 2026 schedule and switch region.
Where to watch
In the UK the match is on Premier Sports 2. Other regions have different broadcasters, so use our how to watch Samoa vs France guide to find yours.
Team lists can change late. Confirm the final 17 on the official RLWC 2026 site before kick-off, and read our Samoa vs France prediction for how we expect it to play out. When the match ends, the score goes on the Samoa vs France live page and the results page, and the rest of the tournament is on the Rugby League World Cup live page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Samoa team for the match against France?
Samoa name Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at fullback, Brian To'o and Deine Mariner on the wings, Izack Tago and Stephen Crichton in the centres, Chanel Harris-Tavita at five-eighth and Jarome Luai at halfback. The pack is Francis Molo, Benaiah Ioelu, Junior Paulo, Connelly Lemuelu, Jermaine McEwen and Francis Manuleleua.
What is the France team to face Samoa?
France start Arthur Mourgue at fullback, Benjamin Laguerre and Leo Darrelatour on the wings, Latrell Siegwalt and Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet in the centres, Cesar Rouge and Theo Fages in the halves, and Benjamin Garcia at hooker.
Who captains Samoa and France?
Jarome Luai and Junior Paulo are Samoa's co-captains under coach Ben Gardiner. Benjamin Garcia captains France under coach Laurent Frayssinous.
What time is Samoa vs France?
Kick-off is 5:45 PM AEDT on Friday 16 October 2026 at CommBank Stadium, Parramatta. That is 7:45 AM in the UK (BST), 12:45 PM in Bangladesh and 12:15 PM in India.
Where can I follow Samoa vs France live?
Open the Samoa vs France live page on rlwcfans for the countdown and the score. The full-time score is added within minutes of the final whistle.