‘Whole set up is sh*t’: International duo slam World Cup format after big England win

Scotland international Lachlan Walmsley and Italy international Ryan King have publicly criticized the reduced 2026 Rugby League World Cup format on social media. Their comments followed England's dominant 82-0 victory over France, with both players expressing frustration over the tournament's reduction to just ten teams and the exclusion of nations like Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Italy.

The tournament was downsized and delayed by 12 months after France withdrew as hosts in 2023 due to funding issues. Walmsley and King argued that the altered format deprives emerging talent of vital exposure on the international stage, with England head coach Brian McDermott having also previously voiced concerns regarding the harshness of the tournament's group structure.