England set to decide on whether to play in European Championship in 2020

England have been invited to participate in an expanded six-team European Championship in 2020.

At the recent RLEF meeting in Istanbul, the proposal to add England and Italy to the four nations present in 2018 – France, Ireland, Scotland and Wales – was approved.

The format would likely see two groups of three, with England and France kept apart, leading to the final.

England have until mid-July to confirm their participation in the tournament.

The RFL’s Football Director, Kevin Sinfield, has previously said they are keen to host Australia to lead up to the World Cup in England in 2021.

England’s next fixture is still unknown, with the Great Britain Lions tour taking part later this year, meaning no England fixtures are scheduled.

An elite performance squad has still been selected to meet up during the season.

More than 40 delegates from 23 federations met at the RLEF’s annual congress, with a focus on developing a better international calendar and having dates reserved for test matches in years to come.

A motion was also passed so that international recognised referees are no longer just made up of a pool of largely English and Australian officials.