New nations join Rugby League International Federation

Jamaica, Russia and Ukraine have been accepted as full members of the Rugby League International Federation.

The RLIF held its AGM in Cardiff on the eve of the World Cup opening ceremony and double-header.

A further trio – Canada, Latvia and Malta – have become affiliates of the European Federation.

RLIF Chairman Scott Carter said: “This is another really exciting development for international rugby league as we head into a World Cup that is looking like being the most successful ever.

“All the nations bring something rich and varied to the table and I must complement the job being done by the European Federation which has worked tirelessly to develop and progress all these countries.”

Russia lost its full member status in 2010 following a series of breaches by the now defunct Russian Rugby League Federation – the new body is called the Russian Association of Rugby League Clubs (ARLK).