France will represent Europe at the inaugural men’s World Series next year after they comprehensively defeated Wales 48-6 at the Saint Esteve Municipality Stadium.

They will now face Cook Islands, Jamaica and South Africa, the venue to be determined, with the top two taking the final berths at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea. 

Fullback Cesar Rouge crossed twice and finished with 20 points, with three of France’s nine tries coming in the final quarter as Wales tired.

“I’m really pleased with the overall performance and the way we approached the week,” said France men’s head coach Laurent Frayssinous. “They were very professional in their behaviour on and off the field and we definitely deserve to play the final series next year, we are looking forward to it.”

Rhys Williams extended his Welsh try scoring record with their sole try in the first half.

Assistant coach Mark Moxon commented: “It was a tough afternoon. We started brightly but they had a purple patch where they got a little bit quick for us. Credit to the lads, they dug in, we got another foothold in the game but gave the French too much ball in the second half and they took advantage of it,”

FRANCE 48
Cesar Rouge, Hakim Miloudi, Arthur Romano, Mathieu Laguerre, Romain Franco, Ugo Tison, Theo Fages, Lambert Belmas, Alrix Da Costa, Tiaki Chan, Maxime Stefani, Mathieu Cozza, Mickael Goudemand Interchange: Eloi Pelissier, Justin Sangare, Clement Boyer, Anthony Marion.

Tries: Romano (6), Rouge (16, 22), Franco (26), Pelissier (46), Sangare (51), Fages (62), Belmas (78), Chan (80)l; Goals: Rouge 6/9

WALES 6
Billy Walkley, Joe Coope-Franklin, Mike Butt, Will Evans, Rhys Williams, Elliot Kear, Josh Ralph, Huw Worthington, Matty Fozard, Ben Evans, Connor Davies, Matt Ross, Sam Bowring. Interchanges: Curtis Davies, Anthony Walker, Ashton Robinson, Sam Grice.

Tries: Williams (29); Goals: Fozard 1/1

Referee: Aaron Moore (England)

Half Time: 20-6