WIDNES Vikings pair Matty Fozard and Mike Butt contributed to Wales reaching this weekend’s crucial next stage in 2026 Rugby League World Cup qualification.

Fozard led the scoring as Wales overhauled Serbia 48-0 at Stade Albert Domec in Carcassonne yesterday, setting up a ‘play-off’ against France on Saturday.

France and Wales will meet at the Municipality Stadium in Saint-Esteve to decide who represents Europe at next year’s inaugural World Series, which will determine the final qualifiers for the 2026 RLWC.

France also had a convincing win yesterday, defeating Ukraine 74-8.

Hooker Fozard opened the try scoring and kicked seven goals for a personal haul of 18 points in the Wales victory.

Butt featured in the centres and crossed for a second-half try.

Wales head coach John Kear, the 69-year-old former head coach of Vikings, was forced to miss the game having been admitted to hospital at the weekend.

He remained there on Monday and Tuesday while doctors carried out a series of tests, before being discharged late on Tuesday afternoon.