RLEF urges progress on international calendar

The Rugby League European Federation has urged its international counterpart to publish the future international calendar.

Despite the successful World Cup before Christmas, nothing has yet been announced in terms of international action for 2014 and beyond, with only another World Cup in 2017 currently on the horizon.

It is expected that a Four Nations tournament will take place Down Under, featuring England, Australia, New Zealand and one of Fiji and Samoa, who are expected to play each other for the right to line-up against the big three.

In Europe, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and France are set to play in a European Championship, with the winner earning the right to play against the big three in the 2016 Four Nations.

Between that, in 2015, the Great Britain Lions is set to be reformed, and they will tour Down Under, with England dropping in to the European Championship, in place of the team that finishes bottom in 2014.

An RLEF statement said: “The RLEF is keen for the RL International Federation to conclude its deliberations on the international calendar so that we can implement our own for the northern hemisphere. Furthermore, the RLEF supports the RLIF’s application for SportAccord membership this year. 

“It is imperative for many of our members that rugby league is recognised and bolsters its international legitimacy. In many cases, government recognition and funding depends on SportAccord recognition and it is only right and proper that rugby league assumes its position alongside other major global sports.”

The RLEF has also recently appointed a new independent director, Paul Nicholson, who has extensive experience in media, events, sponsorship and television, working with governing bodies including FIFA.