Never can the draw for a Rugby League tournament have attracted so much media interest.
The world’s press were in attendance at Buckingham Palace to see the Duke Of Essex make the draw for next year’s Rugby League World Cup in England.
The cameras were obviously there to scrutinise Prince Harry in his first public appearance since that very public declaration that he and Meghan wished to step back from their obligation to the Royal family.
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But rugby league fans will have been more interested in the draw for the group stages which see the hosts up against Samoa, France and World Cup debutants Greece in Group A. Holders Australia will face Fiji, Scotland and Italy in Group B while New Zealand are grouped with Lebanon, Jamaica and Ireland in Group C. Group D features Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Wales and the Cook Islands.
Rugby League 2021 Group Draw
Pool A – England, Samoa, France, Greece
Pool B – Australia, Fiji, Scotland, Italy
Pool C – New Zealand, Lebanon, Jamaica, Ireland
Pool D – Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Wales, Cook Islands
Rugby World Cup to promote mental health awareness
The Duke of Sussex is the patron of the Rugby Football League and will be promoting a mental health awareness campaign. The subject is one close to the heart of Prince Harry and organisers of next year’s World Cup have committed to training every player, official, match official and volunteer to look after their own mental fitness by the final game of the tournament, which takes place in October and November in 2021.
Rugby League World Cup 2021 Venues
Seventeen venues will host the 2012 World Cup, most across the North and Midlands. North London’s Emirates Stadium will host one of the semi-finals and is the only venue in the south of England.
England will meet Australia in an international at the end of October and that will give an indication of the gap which will need to be bridged if the 2021 hosts are to upset the Kangaroos next year. The Aussies are currently a best 4/9 to retain the trophy.
Rugby League World Cup 2021 William Hill Betting
Australia 4/9
England and New Zealand 4/1
Tonga 10/1
Samoa 40/1
Fiji 66/1
Papua New Guinea 100/1
Cook Islands, Scotland and Wales 150/1
France, Ireland and Lebanon 250/1
Greece, Italy and Jamaica 500/1
