Summary

  • Men's, women's and wheelchair draws held at Buckingham Palace

  • Hosts England to face Samoa, France and Greece in men's event

  • Holders Australia drawn with Fiji, Scotland and Italy

  • Wales in same group as Tonga, Ireland to play New Zealand in group phase

  • All three tournaments will run concurrently for the first time in 2021

  1. Draw complete!published at 12:43 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2020

    So there we have it - the draw is done and we just have another 21 months or so wait until the 2021 World Cup gets under way.

    The draws for the men's, women's and wheelchair events can be found by clicking on the link below.

    Thanks for joining me!

    England to open World Cup against Samoa

    Hosts England will face Samoa, France and Greece in the group stage of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

    Read More
  2. Wales wary of tricky group?published at 12:42 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2020

    2021 Rugby League World Cup draw

    Whatever happens at the 2021 competition, Wales surely won't have as tough a campaign as they did in 2017.

    They'll again face the might of Papua New Guinea, who scored a victory over Great Britain in the steamy heat of Port Moresby a couple of months ago.

    Tonga are the main threat, a massively emerging international force with Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita leading the way.

    Cook Islands have a few familiar faces, Anthony Gelling and Adam Tangata just two from Super League, to add to their string of NRL talent.

  3. Wolfhounds fancy their chances?published at 12:39 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2020

    2021 Rugby League World Cup draw

    Ireland's group includes New Zealand, Lebanon and Jamaica, a group they might feel confident about qualifying from.

    The Kiwis were much improved in their autumn Tests against Great Britain and have superstars such as Joey Manu from the Roosters and the rubber-legged New Zealand Warriors full-back Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

    Lebanon were impressive back in 2017 under the legendary Brad Fittler, but whether the likes of Mitchell Moses and Robbie Farah will again be available is not assured as they continue to face off-field issues with their federation.

    Debutants Jamaica have a smattering of Super League talent such as Ashton Golding and Michael Lawrence, and will be an interesting addition to the competition.

  4. Scotland in tough grouppublished at 12:34 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2020

    2021 Rugby League World Cup draw

    Scotland have world champions Australia, former semi-finalists Fiji and Italy in their group, making it a tough, tough test for John Duffy and Chris Chester's side.

    Australia have a heap of stars, and might even pinch James Tedesco - 2019's NRL Dally M medal winner - from the Italians.

    Fiji have so much talent too, including the Sims brothers, St Helens centre Kevin Naiqama and Parramatta's unstoppable winger Maika Sivo.

  5. England to open against Samoa in Group Apublished at 12:29 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2020

    2021 Rugby League World Cup draw

    The Samoans will be a tough old test up at St James' Park for England in the tournament opener on 23 October 2021.

    There is a healthy National Rugby League contingent in their squad, and there's even been a bit of chat surrounding a certain Sonny Bill Williams switching to Toa Samoa on his return to league with Toronto.

  6. Postpublished at 12:29 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2020

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  7. Postpublished at 12:28 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2020

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  9. Postpublished at 12:25 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2020

    Quote Message

    I think it'll be a new event for a lot of people to watch. It's such a different event within all of sport. It's so inclusive. The finish in Liverpool - I was there for the Netball World Cup and the support from the city - I think it's going to be electric.

    Dame Katherine Grainger

  10. Postpublished at 12:25 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2020

    2021 Rugby League World Cup draw

    The first game of the wheelchair tournament will be England v Australia at the Copperbox Arena on 11 November 2021.

  11. Wheelchair draw in fullpublished at 12:24 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2020

    Group A: England, Australia, Spain, Norway

    Group B: France, Wales, Scotland, USA

  12. Group B - wheelchairpublished at 12:24 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2020

    2021 Rugby League World Cup draw

    USA complete Group B with France, Wales and Scotland.

  13. Group A - wheelchairpublished at 12:23 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2020

    2021 Rugby League World Cup draw

    Norway, Australia, England and Spain.

  14. Group B - wheelchairpublished at 12:23 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2020

    2021 Rugby League World Cup draw

    Scotland join Wales and France.

  15. Group A - wheelchairpublished at 12:23 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2020

    2021 Rugby League World Cup draw

    England, Australia and now Spain

  16. Group B - wheelchairpublished at 12:22 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2020

    2021 Rugby League World Cup draw

    Wales join France the holders in Group B.

  17. Group A - wheelchairpublished at 12:22 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2020

    2021 Rugby League World Cup draw

    England and Australia in the same group!

  18. Women's draw in fullpublished at 12:21 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2020

    Group A: England, Papua New Guinea, Canada, Brazil

    Group B: Australia, New Zealand, France, Cook Islands

  19. Men's draw in fullpublished at 12:21 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2020

    Group A: England, Samoa, France, Greece

    Group B: Australia, Fiji, Scotland, Italy

    Group C: New Zealand, Lebanon, Jamaica, Ireland

    Group D: Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Wales, Cook Islands

  20. Postpublished at 12:21 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2020

    2021 Rugby League World Cup draw

    Quote Message

    England are the host nation and will be looking forward to that first game in Newcastle, where there will be great support.

    Jason Robinson