The match with the world champions took place in Wollongong, Australia this morning, with North Wales Crusaders’ Fionn McCabe and York’s John Berriman in line to make their international debuts.

McCabe celebrated his 16th birthday less than a fortnight ago and he was set to become Wales Wheelchair’s third-youngest debutant of all time.

Captain Jodie Boyd-Ward (pictured) was set to make her 48th international appearance and Caron said: “I’m confident that my assistant coaches and I are happy with the side we’ve selected.

“England are world champions, so we know they’ll be tough, but we have five games and three weeks, and we know that we’re trying to plan not just for this game, but the second, third, fourth and fifth.”

Also in Group A today, Ireland tackle the United States. Tomorrow, Scotland take on France.

Tom Brindle has named his squad for Sunday’s final group game of the Women’s Rugby League World Cup against Australia.

Only Jasmine Gibbons misses out having failed her head injury assessment towards the end of the defeat to Samoa.

Ffion Lewis replaces Amberley Ruck at stand-off, with Carys Marsh moving from the interchange bench to starting hooker in the absence of Gibbons. Lucia Davies is in line to make her first appearance of the tournament from the bench.

After defeats to Samoa and England, who play Samoa today, Wales face the Jillaroos for the first ever time.

Tomorrow: New Zealand v Papua New Guinea; Fiji v France.

England were beaten by Tonga in their opening match before they thrashed France 82-0 on Saturday to keep their World Cup journey alive in the men’s competition.

Today’s match against Papua New Guinea is a must-win game for Brian McDermott’s side and they will then need Tonga to beat Samoa in Sydney on Sunday.

Tomorrow’s fixtures: New Zealand v Fiji; Australia v Cook Islands.