England national rugby league team season 2008

This article contains general information and statistics regarding the England national rugby league team's 2008 season.

From 2008 onwards, the England team will compete in all World Cups, international tournaments and Test series. This is instead of playing as Great Britain. This will support the RFL’s strategy for the growth and development of the sport in this country and throughout Europe. The separation of Great Britain will also create an important opportunity for the Celtic Nations to drive the growth of the game in their territories.

News

• 10 January - Head coach Tony Smith is set to become a British citizen having lived in Great Britain for 8 years.
• 6 February - The new England logo is launched featuring the St George's Cross on a shield and the year "1895" on the badge, commemorating the foundation of the sport. It will replace the old badge featuring the three lions, which was thought to look out of date and not in keeping with the new and modern image that the RFL were giving to the team throughout 2008.
• 19 March - The RFL announced that England would face France as part of their World Cup preparations in Toulouse at the end of June. It would be the teams first match of 2008 and the first international for many of the players since Great Britain played New Zealand in November 2007. Toulouse was picked as the venue, as the domestic Toulouse team had put in a bid for a Super League franchise and the test match would give a rough estimate of the popularity of Rugby League in Toulouse and the surrounding areas.
• 13 June - "Hearts Of England", a song performed by tenor Jonathan Ansell will be specifically used as the official song for the England team for the World Cup campaign.
• 16 June - The England shirt that will used in the World Cup is revealed at Bolton Castle in North Yorkshire. It was later announced that the shirt is the fastest selling yet.
• 16 June - It was confirmed that Jamie Peacock would captain the team for the international test match against France.
• 16 June - The new official England website is launched with History, Stats, News and Video sections.
• 19 June - England will meet Wales in Doncaster as their last opponents before the World Cup.
• 23 June - Tony Smith announces the 19 players in his squad to face France.

Fixtures

France v England

Scorecard

Squads

England v Wales

Scorecard

Squads

Statistics

Players arranged in alphabetical order.

See also

• England national rugby league team