Leeds to host SIX nations at Rugby League World Cup 2021

With 500 days to go until the opening fixture of RLWC2021 at St James’ Park in Newcastle, organisers this morning revealed where each nation will be located during the competition.

Tournament hosts England and holders Australia will both be based in Manchester as they set off on the journey to try and reach the final at Old Trafford while York will see the Kiwis, among others, stay and train there.

However, Leeds - with Elland Road and Emerald Headingley already confirmed as venues for staging matches - will see the men’s teams from Jamaica and Ireland as well as the women’s sides from England, Papua New Guinea, Brazil and Canada all descend on the city next year.

Jamaica already know the area well given they trained in the city last autumn ahead of facing England Knights at Headingley and their operations directors in the UK - dual-code England international Jason Robinson and media mogul Alex Simmons - both hail from Leeds.

With a big Jamaican population in Leeds, the Reggae Warriors are hoping to get plenty of fans behind them as they enter their historic maiden World Cup.

Jon Dutton, RLWC2021 Chief Executive, said: “Today marks another hugely exciting milestone on the road to Rugby League World Cup 2021 as we celebrate 500 days until the opening fixture at St James' Park in October next year.

“Leeds is set to see some amazing action, hosting more matches than any other city. Now, with the city set to act as the training base to some amazing nations and rugby league cup debutants, Rugby League World Cup 2021 is set to be an unforgettable time for the people of Leeds.

“Our refreshed tournament identity and today’s nation base announcement can serve as an exciting reminder for the people of Leeds of what’s to come in 2021 as we continue to build momentum towards what promises to be the biggest and best Rugby League World Cup in history.”

Councillor Judith Blake, Leeds City Council leader, said: "We are incredibly excited that as part of Rugby League World Cup 2021 which is now just 500 days away, six teams in total from both the men's and women's tournaments will be based in Leeds.

"This is testament to the tremendous training facilities that we are able to offer as a city through many different sites, which includes as part of this tournament, those available at University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University.

"With two of our city's most iconic venues Elland Road and Emerald Headingley Stadium also hosting matches as part of Rugby League World Cup 2021, we simply cannot wait to once again showcase Leeds to people from across the world in what promises to be a truly unforgettable tournament."

As part of this morning’s reveal, Manchester United and England footballer Jesse Lingard announced that Shaun Wane’s England side and Mal Meninga’s Kanagaroos would train and prepare in Manchester.

Look North presenter Harry Gration, meanwhile, was on hand to help in the announcement that York will welcome New Zealand’s men's and women’s sides as well as the women’s team from Australia, France and the Cook Islands.

Players from the different sides, including Kiwi star Dallin Watene Zelezniak, hooked up on a social ‘homeschooling’ call from Miss E.

Elsewhere, Hull will host Fiji, Doncaster welcome Samoa, Sheffield home Greece - as well as the France, Wales, Scotland and USA wheelchair sides - and Tees Valley will look after the Cook Islands.

France will stay in Bolton, Tonga and Italy head to Liverpool and St Helens, Newcastle host Scotland, Wales will be based in Preston, Papua New Guinea will prepare in Warrington and Wigan/Leigh will entertain Lebanon during the tournament.

The England, Australia, Norway and Spain wheelchair sides will all reside in London.

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