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MP backs bid to host World Cup
A LEEDS MP is urging the Government to back the Rugby Football League's bid to stage the next World Cup in 2013.
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Greg Mulholland, Liberal Democrat MP for Leeds North West and vice-chair of the Rugby League All Party Parliamentary Group, has co-sponsored a motion in the House of Commons commending the bid and outlining the benefits that bringing the tournament to the United Kingdom could have for the sport.
"Rugby league really is an up-and-coming sport and the benefits that bringing the World Cup to the UK could be huge, right from the grass-roots upwards," he said.
"What we need now is the Government to show that it is serious about backing sport and progressive sports like rugby league in particular and do all that it can to help bring the World Cup here."
The RFL face a rival bid from Australia, who reported a profit of around 2m from last year's event, compared to a loss of 700,000 when England last hosted the tournament in 2000.
RFL executive chairman Richard Lewis used a speech at the All Party Parliamentary Group's annual dinner recently to call for support from the government, both national and regionally.
The RFL, meanwhile, are making no comment on reports that plans to use London's new Olympic Stadium are being incorporated in their World Cup bid.
It is thought the League are in negotiations with the London Development Agency to use the new Olympic Stadium after 2012 when the capacity will be reduced from 80,000 to 25,000.
Hull KR centre Chev Walker will miss Friday's engage Super League match against his former club Leeds because of suspension.
Cited for allegedly striking Bradford forward Glenn Morrison during Sunday's 13-13 draw at Odsal, Walker was found guilty when he appeared before the Rugby Football League's disciplinary committee.
Walker, who missed the last three months of last season with a wrist injury, was fined 300 and handed a one-match ban.
Former winners Sheffield Eagles have been paired with Championship newcomers Toulouse in the third round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.
Sheffield, who triumphed over Wigan in 1998, will be the first team to visit Toulouse in the Championship on March 21 but will have home advantage in the Cup a fortnight earlier.
Keighley and Dewsbury also face French opposition in the shape of Pia and Carcassone.
Leeds Met Carnegie, from the competition sponsors, entertain reformed Rochdale Hornets while Halifax also face student opposition in Loughborough University.
Draw (ties to be played March 7-8): Siddal v Swinton, York City Knights v Wigan St Pats, Featherstone Rovers v The Army, Queens v Doncaster, Pilkington Recs v Batley, Barrow v Blackpool, Gateshead v Whitehaven, Workington v Lezignan, Leigh Cents v Lokomotiv Moscow, Oldham v Sharlston, Sheffield Eagles v Toulouse, Leeds Met Carnegie v Rochdale Hornets, Widnes Vikings v Saddleworth, Wath Brow Hornets v London Skolars, Keighley v Pia, Kells v Hunslet, Halifax v Loughborough University, Dewsbury v Carcassonne.
Fixtures
Northern Rail Cup Pool One: Oldham v Rochdale (7.45). Pool Two: Batley v Doncaster (7.30), Featherstone v Leigh (8.00), York v Whitehaven (7.30).
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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