RLWC 2021 HOST TEAMS ANNOUNCED FOR COVENTRY
Pictured: Cllr Kamran Caan, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Sport, Coventry Bears Juniors, Alan Robinson, Director of Coventry Bears Rugby Club, Debbie Watson, CEO of Coventry Bears Rugby Club, Adam Benson, Chief Commercial Officer for Wasps Sport.
AUSTRALIA v SCOTLAND
Friday 29th October 2021
Ricoh Arena, Coventry
The Rugby League World Cup (RLWC2021) comes to England in 2021, and tournament organisers have today (July 21) revealed the much-anticipated fixture schedule for what promises to be the biggest and best World Cup in the history of the sport, as the men’s, women’s and wheelchair teams all compete at the same time in a major sporting first.
Coventry will be hosting the current men’s World Cup holders, Australia as they take on Scotland at The Ricoh Arena. The game will take place on Friday 29 October 2021 and will kick off at 19.30pm.
Cllr Kamran Caan, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Sport, said: “What a reveal. We in Coventry are extremely excited about hosting the Australia VS Scotland game in our city. It will be a great opportunity for the city’s profile, highlighting our ability to host high profile sporting events alongside our year as City of Culture.
“It will also give the younger generation of our city even more to aspire to. Whether that’s being inspired to take up Rugby League, or simply incorporating physical activity into their daily lives.
“It’s great to have something to look forward to during this unprecedented time we are all currently experiencing. Throughout the lockdown we have seen that people are hungry for sport and physical activity. We can’t wait to welcome the players, staff and supporters from all over the world and show them what a great place Coventry is.”
Australia are currently ranked second in the world with Scotland ninth. Not only is Scotland a cherished home nation, but Coventry has historical connections with Parkes in New South Wales, Australia too.
1569 saw the twinning of the town Parkes in Australia with the city of Coventry. The town is also named after the influential Coventrian Henry Parkes, born in Canley.
Alan Robinson, Coventry Bears Rugby League Club Owner, added: “I am both honoured and excited to welcome Australia and Scotland to our city next year. The Australian Kangaroos are the current world champions and have many of the game’s biggest NRL stars in their ranks.
“This coupled with a passionate home nation in Scotland is sure to draw a crowd with the game being in a world class stadium in such a central location here in the West Midlands.
“At Coventry Bears we work tirelessly to grow rugby league in our community and this game aligned with the power of our city being UK City of Culture in 2021 will give us a historic opportunity to generate interest and us securing a lasting legacy for our sport.”
With 61 fixtures over a six-week period the tournament will showcase a festival of world class sporting action.
Jon Dutton, RLWC2021 Chief Executive, said: “This is a huge moment for the tournament and for fans in our host cities and towns as we reveal the full fixture schedule.
"The tournament has been gaining momentum over recent months and fans can now look forward to being part of this unique global event. With match dates and locations confirmed, the excitement will only intensify.
"RLWC2021 will bring together the very best that the sport has to offer, and you can see from the schedule that there is no end of world class, not-to-be-missed matches, across all three tournaments.
"It Is an exciting day for all our Rugby League fans and communities across England who will be proud and brilliant hosts to the travelling nations as together we deliver the biggest and best Rugby League World Cup to date."
Coventry will help form a huge part of making the tournament a success, drawing on its title as City of Culture 2021 and building on the city’s European City of Sport 2019 legacy.
Stephen Vaughan, Group Chief Executive for Ricoh Arena and Wasps Sport, said: “We are delighted to be hosting such a prestigious fixture at next year’s Rugby League World Cup.
“Ricoh Arena has a proud history of hosting major rugby matches and entertainment events, and we look forward to welcoming the Australia and Scotland teams to our venue.
“I’m sure the West Midlands public will be hugely excited about this game and will be here to support both sides.”
The dates, venues and kick-off times* for each of the three tournaments is now confirmed and available to view online.
Martin Sutherland, Chief Executive of Coventry City of Culture Trust, said:
“This announcement is fantastic news, and we’re looking forward to welcoming the Rugby League World Cup to the UK City of Culture in 2021. Sport is a huge part of Coventry’s story, and we can’t wait to make connections between our events and these fixtures.”
Please visit the Rugby League World Cup website for more information, for details on how to sign up to receive ticket alerts and all the latest news first.
