The three draws for the Rugby League World Cup 2021 (RLWC2021) took place at Buckingham Palace today (Thursday 16 January), where each competing nation in the respective men’s, women’s and wheelchair events learnt their group opponents.
Conducted by HRH The Duke of Sussex, Head of UK Sport, Dame Katherine Granger DBE and RLWC2021 International Ambassador and rugby league legend Jason Robinson OBE, the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments’ draws were completed concurrently at the iconic venue.
England men’s team will kick the tournament off against Samoa in a blockbuster opening fixture at St James Park, Newcastle on October 23, 2021. They will be joined by France and Greece in Group A. The full list of groups is as follows:
Group A
England
Samoa
France
Greece
Group B
Australia
Fiji
Scotland
Italy
Group C
New Zealand
Lebanon
Jamaica
Ireland
Group D
Tonga
PNG
Wales
Cook Islands
England’s women’s team play their first match on November 9, 2021 against Brazil, in front of what will be a packed house at the Emerald Headingley Stadium, Leeds. Their remaining group fixtures will see them play PNG and Canada. The full list of groups is as follows:
Group A
England
PNG
Canada
Brazil
Group B
Australia
New Zealand
France
Cook Islands
The wheelchair draw followed the same format as the women’s, resulting with hosts England being drawn alongside Spain and Norway in Group A. Their opening fixture will be against Australia on November 11, 2021 at The Copper Box Arena, London. The full list of groups is as follows:
Group A
England
Australia
Spain
Norway
Group B
France
Wales
Scotland
USA
Jon Dutton, Chief Executive at RLWC2021 commented; “The draws have been a fantastic example of where this tournament is aiming to be in 2021. We want to deliver a truly world class event next year and we’re really excited by the first three fixtures that have come out from today’s draws.”
“We look forward to announcing the full schedule of games along with ticket prices in the next few months. We are hugely excited to welcome the competing nations to what will be the pinnacle of rugby league competition as we look to deliver the biggest and best Rugby League World Cup of all time.”
The RLWC2021 draws were overseen by an external observer from Deloitte to ensure all procedures were followed correctly.
Follow all the latest updates via www.RLWC2021.com and the official social media channels, on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.