England is lining up a bid for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup as it attempts to host the tournament for the sixth time.
The bid for the tournament, and the cycling Road World Championships, were revealed as part of the government’s 2015 Spending Review and Autumn Statement.
Unveiled by chancellor George Osborne earlier today (25 November), the statement claimed that the ambition to bring the 2021 World Cup to England, as well as the annual road race, was part of its plan to financially back elite sport.
The World Cup was also referenced in relation to the chancellor’s strategy to create a ‘Northern Powerhouse’, committing further investment to the North’s “creative and cultural life”.
“The government is increasing its funding for elite sport to build on the success of Olympic and Paralympic games at London 2012 and support Team GB’s ambition for success in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020," said the statement.
"Following the success of hosting London 2012 and the Rugby Union World Cup the government will support the ambition to host the cycling Road World Championships and 2021 Rugby League World Cup in the Northern Powerhouse.”
England hosted the 2013 World Cup, alongside Wales, for the fifth time, and shared the tournament in 2000 with fellow home nations Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as Ireland and France. It has hosted the event alone on a further three occasions, in 1960, 1970 and 1995.
In April, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) threw
its hat into the ring to stage the tournament. A decision on the host nation is due to be made in October 2016.
England last hosted the Road World Championships in 1982 in Goodwood. Next year’s race will take place in Doha, Qatar.
