World Cup host England will play two warm-up matches with Spain and France in August before the tournament begins, Rugby Football Union (RFU) said Wednesday.
The Six Nations champion and two-time World Cup winner will host Spain in Leicester on August 2nd, then travel to France in Mont de Marsan a week later.
Spain will appear in its first World Cup since 2017 after winning the WXV 3 tournament last year, but France is aiming to finish third in the first final of the tournament in seven times.
England last won the World Cup in 2014, reaching the final in the previous nine editions. Redborough will be in as a strong favorite, having won all 25 matches since losing their final to New Zealand in 2022.
France pushed England harder in the recent Six Nations, with England winning a grand slam on the final day, winning a thrilling 43-42 win over France at Twickenham, earning their seventh consecutive championship victory.
The World Cup begins on August 22nd, with England playing the United States in Sunderland. Samoa and Australia are together in Pool A.