Warrington to host PDRL World Cup – fixtures confirmed

Four nations will take part in the first ever Physical Disability Rugby League World Cup, to be held in Warrington.

The final of the PDRL event will take place at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, immediately after the men’s game between France and Samoa on October 30.

England will line up alongside Wales, New Zealand and Australia for the group stage, hosted at Warrington’s Victoria Park.

Jon Dutton, Chief Executive of RLWC2021, said: “RLWC2021 is committed to being the biggest, best and most inclusive Rugby League World Cup in history, and hosting a PDRL World Cup showcase event alongside the Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair tournaments is just one of the ways we are bringing that commitment to life. 

“We are proud to be provide the platform for a PDRL World Cup showcase event, and we hope that the sport may follow Wheelchair Rugby League, which featured in the RLWC2017 as a showcase event and is now a cemented feature within the RLWC2021 tournament.

“In terms of hosting the PDRL World Cup showcase event, I can think of no better host than Warrington. The town is synonymous with our sport, and their support for PDRL via the Warrington Wolves Foundation is exemplary.”

PDRL World Cup

Physical Disability rugby league is a modified version of the game catered to suit people with various physical disabilities.

It was founded in 2010 and brought to England for the first time in 2018 when Warrington played against Leeds.

The group games will take place on October 23, 25 and 28, with the nations playing each other once.

The top two will go on to play at the final at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, with the other two playing a third-place play-off at Victoria Park, also on October 30.

Adam Hills, RLWC2021 Tournament Ambassador, said: “I’ve been looking forward to playing in the PDRL World Cup for a long time, and now the nations and fixture dates have been confirmed it’s feeling very real. 

“To have the tournament in this country and as part of the RLWC2021 is a brilliant opportunity to really raise the profile of this fantastic game, and hopefully encourage more people with a physical disability to get involved. I’m proud to be an ambassador for a tournament as inclusive as the RLWC2021, and I’m looking forward to personally revealing more about the PDRL World Cup soon!”

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