England vs Wales Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup 2026

England have beaten Wales in all 11 wheelchair rugby league meetings, and the two old rivals open their World Cup campaigns against each other.

It’s the second match of the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup 2026, straight after Ireland play the USA on opening day in Wollongong.

England vs Wales is on Friday 30 October 2026 at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong, kicking off at 3:30pm local time (4:30am UK).

England are the defending champions and the world’s top-ranked team, while Wales finished third at the 2013 World Cup.

Wales have picked two fathers and sons, and Jodie Boyd-Ward is chasing a world record 50th international cap.

Below, you’ll find kick-off times in Australia, NZ and the UK, how to watch, both squads, the head to head and our prediction.

England vs Wales Kick-Off Time

England vs Wales kicks off at 3:30pm in Wollongong on Friday 30 October.

Location	Kick-off time
Wollongong and Sydney	3:30pm, Fri 30 Oct
Brisbane	2:30pm, Fri 30 Oct
New Zealand	5:30pm, Fri 30 Oct
UK and Wales	4:30am, Fri 30 Oct

UK clocks go back on 25 October, so this is an early start for fans at home in England and Wales.

Ireland vs USA opens the tournament at 1pm local time, so you can watch both Group A games back to back.

Later that evening, England’s men play PNG at WIN Stadium, just down the road. See our England vs PNG preview.

Where to Watch England vs Wales Wheelchair

In the UK and Ireland, Premier Sports is showing every match of all three World Cup tournaments, including the wheelchair event.

In Australia, the Seven Network and 7plus hold the Rugby League World Cup 2026 rights, and Sky Sport has the rights in New Zealand.

Want to be there? Tickets for every wheelchair session at the WIN Entertainment Centre are sold through Ticketmaster, the official seller.

The match is played indoors, so there are no weather worries. Arrive early, as the arena also hosts Ireland vs USA earlier in the day.

England Wheelchair Squad

Tom Coyd MBE has named a 10-player England squad, captained by Lewis King of London Roosters.

Jack Brown and Rob Hawkins scored 10 tries between them in Halifax’s Super League Grand Final win over Leeds, and both were world champions in 2022.

Tom Halliwell, who captained England to the 2021 title, missed out despite returning from shoulder surgery.

The squad flew to Australia on 22 October, and several players were part of the 2021 World Cup-winning team.

• Mason Billington
• Jack Brown
• Nathan Collins
• Joe Coyd
• Luis Domingos
• Rob Hawkins
• Chris Haynes
• Lewis King (captain)
• Tristan Norfolk
• Finlay O’Neill

Wales Wheelchair Squad

Alan Caron, who played at the last three World Cups, coaches a 12-player Wales squad.

Martin and Matthew Turner, and Gareth and Sid Ramsey, are the first fathers and sons to play together for Wales at a Wheelchair World Cup.

Jodie Boyd-Ward could become the first wheelchair player to reach 50 international caps. Fionn McCabe turns 16 just before the tournament.

Mark Williams is the most capped player in the squad, with 42 Wales caps.

• John Berriman
• Jodie Boyd-Ward
• Jonathan Gill
• Andrew Higgins
• Fionn McCabe
• Gareth Ramsey
• Sid Ramsey
• Lee Sargent
• Martin Turner
• Matthew Turner
• Mark Williams
• Stuart Williams

England vs Wales Head to Head

England have won all 11 wheelchair meetings with Wales. Here are the last five.

Date	Match	Score
13 Nov 2022	World Cup semi-final	England 125-22 Wales
26 Jun 2021	Friendly	England 102-22 Wales
29 Sep 2019	Tri-Nations final	England 54-40 Wales
28 Sep 2019	Tri-Nations	England 48-24 Wales
22 Jul 2017	World Cup group	England 78-32 Wales

The closest game was the 2019 Tri-Nations final, when Wales lost by 14 points.

The most recent meeting was the 2021 World Cup semi-final, played in 2022, when England won 125-22 on their way to the title.

Every one of the 11 games has been won by at least 14 points.

Wales’ best World Cup finish is third, in 2013, when they beat Australia in the third-place play-off.

England vs Wales Prediction

England are clear favourites. They are the defending champions, and they won all four games on their 2025 tour of Australia.

Wales have narrowed the gap at times, but they have never beaten England in 11 attempts.

Our prediction: England to win by more than 40 points, with Jack Brown and Rob Hawkins among the try scorers.

Both teams are guaranteed five matches, as every nation plays on after the group stage. See every player in our Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup 2026 squads guide.

England vs Wales Wheelchair: FAQ

Here are quick answers to the questions fans ask most about England vs Wales.

Each answer starts with the key fact, so you can find it fast.

For more detail, see the sections above.

What time is England vs Wales wheelchair rugby league?

It kicks off at 3:30pm in Wollongong.

That’s 4:30am in the UK.

The date is Friday 30 October 2026.

Where is England vs Wales being played?

At the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong.

Every wheelchair match is played there.

It’s an indoor arena in New South Wales.

Have Wales ever beaten England at wheelchair rugby league?

No. England have won all 11 meetings.

The closest was 54-40 in 2019.

The last was 125-22 in 2022.

How can I watch England vs Wales in the UK?

Premier Sports is showing it live.

It has every World Cup match.

Kick-off is 4:30am UK time.

Conclusion

England vs Wales opens Group A in Wollongong on Friday 30 October, at 3:30pm local time and 4:30am in the UK.

England have won all 11 meetings, and they start as big favourites to make it 12.

Wales will be hoping their family connections and a home-nations rivalry spark an upset. See the full draw in our Wheelchair World Cup guide.

Want our World Cup updates first? Add RLWC 2026 Guide as a preferred source on Google.