France will play two teams in this weekend's wheelchair internationals against Ireland as head coach Cyril Torres prepares to finalise his squad for Rugby League World Cup 2026 in Wollongong.

France, the 2017 World Cup winners and runners-up in 2021, will host Ireland on July 11 (kick off 4pm, local time) and July 12 (6pm) at the Halle Marcel Cerdan in Perpignan.

Torres said he would play different squads for each game to give everyone a run out.

“This weekend is a great opportunity,’ he said. “I’m thrilled to be able to test players against the Ireland team as we build towards October and the World Cup. We’re not far off the announcement now for that final squad —it’s exciting,”

Included in his selection are the likes of uncle and nephew Gilles and Nicolas Clauselles, together with 2024 Golden Boot winner Jérémy Bourson.

Among likely new caps are Thibaud Dananchy from Lyon, Montauban player Jérôme Seixas and Toulouse’s William Drouard, while two-time World Champion Dany Denuwelaere returns to the international stage after a five-year break.

France open their RLWC2026 campaign against Scotland at WIN Entertainment Centre on October 31 before taking on World Cup newcomers New Zealand on November 3 and Australia on November 6.

Ireland play USA on October 30, in the opening match of a massive day of World Cup action in Wollongong, in which England's Wheelchair, Women's and Men's teams all play.

The Phil Roberts-coached Ireland team then meet Wales on November 3 and England on November 6, with all wheelchair matches to be played at WIN Entertainment Centre.

Ireland travel with a largely settled group building on this year’s third successive Celtic Cup win. Jack Mangan has retained his place in the squad following his debut in that competition, with James McCarthy also returning to action.

“This is an amazing opportunity to examine our Rugby League World Cup preparations, and we are very grateful to Cyril and the FFRXIII for arranging and hosting these matches," Roberts said.

"This weekend will be a great test for our squad, one which we're excited for, and will hopefully benefit both teams by the time we get to Wollongong in October.”

France Squad (Saturday):

Lionel Alazard (Pandas Montauban Handisport), Nicolas Clausells (Dragons Catalans Handirugby), Thibaud Dananchy (Decines RL), Dany Denuwelaere (Stade Toulousain Olympique St Jory), Damien Doré (Dragons Catalans Handirugby), Florian Guttadoro (SO Avignon XIII), Julien Pennella (Aingirak Euskadi), Jérôme Seixas (Pandas Montauban Handisport)

France Squad (Sunday):

Jérémy Bourson (Dragons Catalans Handirugby), Gilles Clausells (Dragons Catalans Handirugby), William Drouard (Stade Toulousain Olympique St Jory), Guillaume Dubruel (Stade Toulousain Olympique St Jory), Jorge Gelade Panzo (Dragons Catalans Handirugby), Jonathan Hivernat (Dragons Catalans Handirugby), Léo Hivernat (Dragons Catalans Handirugby), Adrien Zittel (SO Avignon XIII)

Ireland Squad:

Joesph Calcott, Phil Roberts (Connacht), Toby Burton Carter, Mel Griffith, Jack Mangan, Oran Spain (Leinster), Cian Horgan, James McCarthy (Munster), Peter Johnston, Tom Martin (Ulster).