Rugby League World Cup 2013: Predicting Saturday's Action

England take on France in the Rugby League Quarter-Final at the DW Stadium Saturday at 8 p.m. GMT. The hosts are the overwhelming favorites to march on to a semi-final against New Zealand.

Steve McNamara’s team are in great form after victories in their last two matches against Fiji and Ireland. The team have recovered well after their narrow loss to tournament favourites Australia.

Let’s take a look at the game in prospect and what might happen between these long-standing rivals:

Sam Tomkins Will Impress In His Last Ever Game At The DW Stadium:

The Wigan star will be jetting off to explore pastures new next season and this will be his last game at the DW Stadium.

The 24-year-old will take to the pitch at his long-time stomping ground for the final ahead of a big money move to New Zealand Warriors and the NRL. In the build-up, Tomkins has spoken of how this game will be an emotional occasion for him (from The Guardian):

"

At the end of the game it will be sad. It's a stadium that I love, it's a brilliant stadium and one that I've got happy memories from. It's a place where I made my career, so it will be nice being there and hopefully the Wigan fans will turn out in force.

"

Tomkins has been a top player for England and Wigan over the years, and if his career to date is anything to go by, then he will sign off in style here too. Expect a sparkling performance from him here.

Sam Burgess Will Bully The French Forwards

England were really struggling to get going in their last game against Fiji. They were trailing 6-0 at half time before Sam Burgess took the game by the scruff off the neck.

The man nicknamed "Bulldozer Sam" was banned after an ugly tackle in the first game against Australia. But he came back against Fiji looking hungry and refreshed. In this sort of form, he can be a game changer for England.

He plays the game hard, but has ridiculed suggestions that he is a ‘thug’ by sections of the Australian press (from The Telegraph):

"

The one-game ban was fair enough because it was an ugly tackle and probably warranted. I play the game 100 per cent and occasionally things aren’t going to go as I planned. I’ve got no regrets and I’m certainly not going to explain myself to the Australian press.

"

If he comes out and bullies the French forwards in a manner similar to the Fijians, it will be a great platform for England to build from.

England Will Run Out Comfortable Winners

The development of the Catalan team and its strong French core means that the French are no longer pushovers in this particular format. But England will have too much for them.

The only question facing Steve McNamara is whether or not he rests some key players with New Zealand waiting in the next round.

It will be a dangerous tactic, but one that could bear fruit if England are looking to make it to the final.