Harry Kane might be feeling the heat but England’s rugby league captain George Williams can’t get enough of leading his country.
Just 24 hours before the footballers face Slovakia for a Euros quarter-final spot, he’ll take his team into battle against France in Toulouse on Saturday. There’s certainly less hysteria around that mid-season international. Despite remaining unbeaten and winning their group, England have come under fire for some uninspiring displays, not least Tuesday’s goalless bore draw with Slovenia.
But Liverpool fan Williams has words of support for counterpart Kane and admitted: “They probably do get too much criticism. "There’s a lot of pressure involved with the football. It’s not quite the same as rugby league! It’s totally different.
“They’re not playing too well yet but the bigger picture is they’ve topped the group and are through. In tournaments and big games, you just have to find a way to win. It’s not been perfect but we’re in the last 16 and haven’t played well yet so you can see that as a positive. Let’s just get behind them now. That’s how I see it.”
Although Kane is one of world sport’s most recognisable faces, Williams has little of that hype to deal with. But rugby league’s lack of profile doesn’t detract from his own pride in being skipper. The Warrington stand-off captained his country for the first time, and scored a hat-trick, when they thrashed France 64-0 on his home ground last April.
He missed the first two games of last autumn against Tonga due to a controversial ban but returned as impressive England completed a series whitewash. On life as skipper, Williams, 29, enthused: “Every time I come in it feels even more special. It’s nice to have it throughout the year but when the group’s together and you’re captain it is really special.
“It’s something I’ll never get bored of. I enjoy it. I love it. It’s the pinnacle to play for England but to be captain is extra special.”
With a two-Test home series against Samoa this autumn ahead of next year’s Ashes tour and the 2026 World Cup, Williams hopes to deliver England glory. But first it’s France, a side they haven’t lost to since 1981. Ahead of his 18th cap, Williams maintained: “France have named a really strong squad. There’s not too many missing.
“It’s a big challenge. Last year, they had a lot of younger, more inexperienced players. Going over there, we know they’ll be physical. French teams pride themselves on that but, as everyone knows, Shaun Wane teams are always physical, too, so it’s all set. And I’m really looking forward to seeing some of the young lads on debut like Brad O’Neill and George Delaney who love that side of the game.”
Meanwhile, Williams, who suffered agony in the 2022 World Cup semi-final loss to Samoa, will take on a greater leadership role after news emerged that boss Shaun Wane won't make the trip to France as he continues to recover from ankle surgery. He knows the national coach well after also working with him for so many years at Wigan and admitted: "He will be fuming.
"But it shouldn’t change too much. What Waney brings is unbelievable. We've missed his input [at training] but I’m sure he’ll still have a massive input for the game. It’s one for me and the senior boys - Jack [Welsby] and Matty Lees - to help grab the boys and lead the team. That’s part and parcel of being a leader and senior player."
Assistant Andy Last takes charge while Hull KR hooker Jez Litten has also not made the trip due to illness. Catalans No 2 Last said: "I've spoken to him [Wane]. He’s just coming round from his operation. By all accounts that’s gone well and they’ve dealt with the infection and the complications which he had from his initial op. That’s been resolved.
“He’s on the road to recovery and looking forward to watching us from his hospital bed. Hopefully we put in a strong performance for him to be proud of. The way things have worked so far, before sessions I’ve spoke to Shaun and we’ve discussed how we’re going to plan the session and the content of session. And after the session we’ll review and discuss things, and he’s got access to it via the applications we use and the analysts provide him with footage of training. He’s still got his finger on the pulse, and on game-day I’m sure he’ll give us some tips beforehand but he’s confident in myself and the rest of the staff to get the job done.”