Having some of the games in France makes sense because they're unlikely to be able to host the competition on its own. The game in France needs this kind of support from the game as a whole or else it will just get swallowed up by the Vichy mob.

What's to say France couldn't host in 2021? I hardly think that playing two World Cup matches in stadia that already see plenty of international action as part of a tournament that they aren't even supposed to be hosting anyway is going to make too much of a difference in the long run.
Because it compromises the integrity of the competition. Ironically, you're probably right in that the matches in France are likely to be among the biggest crowds because of the ridiculous venue selection.

Guessing they are leaving the big venues for the later day to see what will be booked around those days.

Seems like the final could be in cardiff

The one thing I find a strange is the choice of neath its not the greatest of grounds.

Obviously it must be better than the Keepmoat Stadium.

I'm wondering if the venue for the final will depend on when the broadcaster(s) want the KO to be - afternoon would be Wembley or Cardiff, evening Old Trafford to make it easier for the supporters.

But it is the home of a rugby league club which I expect would have made it much easier to hire. Llanelli's new ground aside, there aren't many alternatives in South Wales either really without going to 20k+ grounds at Cardiff/Swansea.

Nothing does but we'd need to build the game over there if it's to progress to the stage of hosting an entire World Cup don't you think?



I understand the contradiction within the 'England and Wales' selection, however that doesn't mean there isn't good logic/intent behind the decision. Perhaps it was silly in the first place to label it 'England and Wales' especially when there's more French teams in Super League than there are Welsh teams and more supporters/participants.

Would those of you moaning that France will be playing in France actually go to the match if it was in the north of England. I very much doubt it. Why not fill Avignon or Perpignan stadia instead. The event is about making money. 2,500 for the same game will not make money.

Obviously. That doesn't mean that they need to host games at a preceding World Cup which they haven't been designated to host. French people aren't stupid, they know that they aren't hosting the World Cup, and the two stadia have been proven to be capable of drawing good crowds for internationals anyway so I'm not sure what point you are trying to make?
The point is that England and Wales are hosting the World Cup. It's not the Europe World Cup or Northern Hemisphere World Cup, regardless of whether or not other countries are able to stage games, England and Wales are the two nations that were chosen to host. I don't understand why people seem to see international RL in this strange, contrived way when compared to other international sports. The point of the World Cup is that it's supposed to be the pinnacle of the sport, staged on as neutral a territory as possible to determine the World Champions. Other nations shouldn't get to host games just because they logistically can, otherwise we might as well just get all the nations to play their matches at home and forget about the concept of staging a World Cup in a single country. I don't understand why people see international RL in this strange, convoluted way compared to other international sports.

If it's about growing the game and attendances why not have half the tournament in NZ and Aus, and play some games in Fiji, Tonga, PNG etc to develop their game too.

Well I mentioned that by playing games in France we are supporting RL there and helping to prevent it being overwhelmed by RU. Why might that be a connection with them hosting the WC in 2021? You've actually got an American RL badge on your avatar so I'm assuming that you're well versed in the concept of supporting the growth of our sport.



Another reason why World Cups are held in such a way is that logistically it makes sense to have all the locations in reasonable proximity to each other (not always the case) and promotes the game in that area. Surely you can see the benefit then of hosting games it the south of France.

If it was called the 'UK, Ireland & France World Cup' can I suggest that you wouldn't be complaining about it? Is that what's really bothering you? The fact that the original bid is mis-labelled as if the RFL have cheated the rest of the world out of holding the World Cup by misrepresentation? Is that really that big a deal or are you annoyed at the fact that the games aren't in 'heartland' areas and if so would you prefer it to be the 'M62 World Cup'? I think you need to tell us what it is you want because it isn't clear from your posts.

Because logistically that's a non-starter. I'm surprised you didn't realise that for yourself. It's hardly rocket surgery.

Naturally, I'm delighted with the decision to give Bristol a game. It was a very strong bid; now the West and South West will see some real strides in development structures. The plan is to have more schools comps, expand the amateur leagues, get the Filton College RL academy (in partnership with Leeds) to SL academy standard in the next couple of years, and prepare the Sonics for entry into the third tier. This is exactly the shot in the arm we wanted.

Also a big selling point for the Sonics, the city's football clubs, RU club sports partnerships and tourist board etc. who were all behind the bid is that it's the first RL international to be held in the city in over a century. Definitely the right time as there's an increasing appetite for the sport in this region. We may only have a minnows group game but it's one that wouldn't have attracted a crowd in the heartlands so the chance to promote it in this region is quite an opportunity.

Very surprised that Doncaster didn't get anything but as folk are saying it could be chosen for a semi. Glad with the decision to take a couple of games to France, not so sure about Ireland as I'm not sure the time is right but would love to be proved wrong.

What's really impressive is the range of locations bidding to be World Cup hosts.

The geographical spread of grounds is similar to that of the 1991 RUWC. Tedious as I recall that event being, I don't remember anyone questioning its validity.

I don't know many people calling it the "England & Wales World Cup"
Stop taking things so literally and think of the bigger picture.

How does 15000+ pasionare French fans look on tele, and how does a man and his dog watching France at Whitehaven look.Most people couldn't care less whether it's called Englands world cup or Northern Englands world cup. Having the group games in france gurantees a sell out and akes some pressure off the heatland folk having to fork out more money to more games.

I think overall the RFL haven't done a bad job. I would like to have seen the stoop involved, plus south Yorkshire. The only strange decision is "the Knoll". Why not have it in Cardiss Citys brillant new stadium?