Samoa, runners-up at the last Rugby League World Cup, begin their campaign in Sydney.
Watch Samoa v France as the two sides play in Pool B of the Rugby World Cup in Sydney.
– Date: Friday 16.10.2026
– Start time: 7.45am BST / 5.45pm AEDT / 7.45pm NZDT / 2.45am EDT / 11.45pm PDT (Thursday)
– Free transfer: 7 Plus (Australia)
– Other Live Streams: Premier Sports (UK, Ireland, USA), Sky Sport (New Zealand)
– Watch from anywhere: Try NordVPN 100% risk free
Samoa have won just one cap (against Pacific neighbor Tonga) since losing the 2021 Rugby World Cup final to Australia in November 2022, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. All their other games in the interim have come against Australia, New Zealand and England – the only teams above them in the current world rankings – so they will be heavy favorites in their opening match of this year’s tournament.
With many of their players earning their living in the NRL, Sydney’s CommBank Stadium (home of the Parramatta Eels and their co-captain Junior Paul) will also feel familiar.
France booked their place at this year’s tournament after beating Ukraine and Wales in European qualifying and will be looking to improve on their performance at the last World Cup, when they failed to get out of their pool. That could prove difficult, however, with England next on their fixture list.
Unsurprisingly, their squad is dominated by players from French Super League sides Catalans Dragons and Toulouse Olympique, but their ranks also include players from Hull FC, Hull Kingston Rovers, Huddersfield Giants and South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Read on to find out everything you need to know to watch Samoa v France online, on TV and from anywhere – including the option to watch for free in Australia. Scroll down to the bottom of the article for team lineups.
How to watch Samoa vs France for FREE
Rugby league fans in Australia can watch Samoa v France for free – along with every other Rugby World Cup 2026 match – on Seven and its 7plus streaming service. You just need to create a free account with your email address to get started.
The good news for Australians currently traveling overseas is that you can still access your usual free 7plus service until using a VPN to avoid geoblocking restrictions that might otherwise get in the way. Learn more below.
Live stream Samoa – France from anywhere
Far from home? Don’t be afraid. A VPN bypasses geoblocking by changing your IP address, allowing you to stream matches as if you were sitting in your front room. Technological experts in TechRadar and Tom’s guide rate NordVPN as number one in the world, thanks to the low price and the unsurpassed ability to unblock streaming services.
Other places to watch Samoa vs France
- United Kingdom: You’ll want to head over Premier Sports to watch Samoa vs France live stream in the UK. You can watch the action online or on TV via Sky Q, Prime Video, STV Player or Virgin Media. Costs are £18.99 per month on an ongoing basis, £13.99 per month on a one-year contract, or £130 per year (which is less than £11 per month) if you pay in advance.
- Ireland: Premier Sports is also the place to watch Samoa v France in Ireland. If you already have Sky Sports, you can add the service to your subscription as part of the Sports Extra package. It will cost you €10 per month for the first six months, before rising to €25 per month for the next six months.
- United States of America: Samoa vs France live streaming is available on Premier Sports in the USA. You can get access to all 53 Rugby World Cup matches with the RLWC26 pass which costs $25.
- New Zealand: Sky Sports NZ is the destination for live streaming of Samoa vs France in New Zealand. Subscriptions will set you back $59.99 per month or $549.99 per year, though day passes are available for $29.99 if you just want to tune in to certain games.
- Rest of the world: Premier Sports owns the rights to the 2026 Rugby League World Cup in over 120 countries around the world – including France – so there’s a good chance you’ll be able to watch Samoa v France live streaming there. Prices, of course, vary by region.
Samoa vs France squads and officials
Samoa
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
2. Brian To’o
3. Isaac Tago
4. Stephen Crichton
5. Your sailors
6. Chanel Harris-Tavita
7. Jarome Luai (co-captain)
8. Francis Molo
9. Benaiah Joel
10. Junior Paulo (co-captain)
11. Connelly Lemuel
12. Jermaine McEwen
13. Francis Manuleleu
Exchange:
14. Crazy Jazz
15. Spencer Lane
16. Shawn Blore
17. Hearing aid
18. Ata Mariota
19. Clayton Faullo
France
1. Arthur Mourgue
2. Benjamin Laguerre
3. Latrell Siegwalt
4. Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet
5. Leo Darrelatour
6. Cesar Rouge
7. Theo Fages
8. Romain Navarrete
9. Benjamin Garcia (captain)
10. Lambert Belmas
11. Arthur Romano
12. Matthew Jussaume
13. Julian Bousquet
Exchange:
14. Amir Bourouh
15. Save Chan
16. Jordan Dezaria
17. Mathieu Cozza
18. Thomas Lacans
19. Louis Grossemy
Officials
Judge: Ashley Klein
Touch Judges: Kieren Irons, Daniel Luttringer
Senior Audit Officer: Chris Butler
We recommend VPN services in the context of legal recreational use. for example:
- Accessing the service from another country (in accordance with the terms and conditions of that service)
- Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when you’re abroad
We do not support or condone illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Future Publishing does not endorse or condone the consumption of pirated paid content.
Download the digital edition of the rugby world directly to your tablet or subscribe to the print edition get magazine delivered to your door.
