ENGLAND head coach Brian McDermott has vowed to “meet fire with fire” when his side get their Rugby League World Cup campaign underway against Tonga in Perth on Saturday.

McDermott has made a number of bold calls in his first team selection ahead of a game that is widely presumed to be a must-win if they are to harbour realistic hope of reaching the semi-finals.

England are well-prepared for Tonga’s muscular threat having got the better of a three-Test series in England in 2023, but McDermott believes the key to success resides in a blend of brains and brawn.

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