WE HAVE TO SHOW NO MERCI
McIlorum wary of France
GIVEN his own French fancy, Michael McIlorum would love France to be world rugby league’s next big thing.
He just does not want it to be at England’s expense.
The combative ex-Wigan hooker is a hero in Perpignan, where he has starred with Catalans for the past five seasons.
But all of that will be put to one side on Saturday when McIlorum bids to fire England to another World Cup victory against France in their Pool A clash in Bolton.
“It’s pretty much the Catalans team without the Australian and English lads,” he said, with 13 Dragons in Laurent Frayssinous’ 24-man World Cup squad.
“It will be a bit strange as a lot of them are my friends now but at the end of the day it’ll be game on.” Gritty McIlorum helped England stun Samoa 60-6 in their opener but is waiting to see if he gets the nod again, given coach Shaun Wane has promised all his unused players a shot, including Salford hooker Andy Ackers. France beat Greece 34-12 on Monday and are seeking to cause a shock, especially as they host the 2025 World Cup.
They have become stronger with the rise of 2021 League Leaders Catalans, who were joined in Super League this term by Toulouse. McIlorum, 34, said: “It’ll be fantastic for the country having the 2025 World Cup there.
“The potential is there for rugby league to be big. Hopefully France will have a bad week this week, though.” McIlorum is the only player to have played in the past four World Cups having featured with Ireland in 2008 and 2017 and England in 2013.
But, ironically, it is France he cannot hide his love for.
“I love the people and everything about it,” said Catalans’ player of the year, left, who has signed for 2023. “I want to stay for the rest of my life if that can happen.
“But, with England, a lot of people had written us off so it was nice to show what we can do against Samoa. Now we want to back that up.”