England v France Rugby League World Cup team news as five players rested

The Polish-born forward has been named in coach Shaun Wane’s 19-man squad, having not played in England’s warm-up game against Fiji or last week’s opening tournament win over Samoa.

"The lads played really well last week,” Oledzki said. “Any chance I get now I need to make sure I do everything I can to show Shaun Wane what I am capable of.

“The squad is full of world-class players and unfortunately there is only 17 that can go on the field each week, but every time you get an opportunity, you have to grab it with both hands.

“To get a chance to run out this weekend would be amazing. Putting that England jersey on again is a massive honour.

“I had a few weeks to rest and recover and get a few things that I’ve been struggling with this year right. I’m ready to go, feeling fit and feeling great.”

All seven players who weren’t used against Samoa are included in the squad for Saturday’s tie, with Hull KR’s ex-Leeds winger Ryan Hall poised to feature alongside Wigan Warriors’ John Bateman and Kai Pearce-Paul, Joe Batchelor of St Helens and Salford Red Devils’ Andy Ackers and Marc Sneyd.

Bateman was suspended for England Knights’ game against France B, the World Cup warm-up and hosts’ opening match after being sent-off during Wigan’s Super League semi-final defeat by Rhinos.

Players dropping out from the side which hammered Samoa 66-6 in Newcastle are winger Tommy Makinson, second-row Mike McMeeken and substitutes Mike Cooper, Morgan Knowles and Matty Lees.

England top Group A on points difference from France, who began their campaign with a 34-12 win over Greece on Monday.

England squad’s squad is: Sam Tomkins, Kallum Watkins, Herbie Farnworth, Ryan Hall, Jack Welsby, George Williams, Tom Burgess, Michael McIlorum, Luke Thompson, Elliott Whitehead, John Bateman, Victor Radley, Dom Young, Chris Hill, Andy Ackers, Marc Sneyd, Joe Batchelor, Mikolaj Oledzki, Kai Pearce-Paul.