Rugby League World Cup: Decision on tournament to be made next week
- Published
Australia beat England in Brisbane to win the last Rugby League World Cup in 2017
A decision on whether the Rugby League World Cup will still take place in England this year or be postponed until 2022 will be made next week.
Organisers are working with the government and relevant authorities to try to stage the event as planned.
There are issues regarding Covid regulations and quarantine rules for players and staff travelling back to Australia and New Zealand.
BBC Sport understands the event will not take place without these teams.
Covid regulations mean Australia's borders are currently closed, so anyone returning has to spend 14 days in government-managed quarantine.
Rugby league officials estimate around 400-500 players, staff and team officials from Australia's National Rugby League - representing several different countries at the World Cup - would have to quarantine on their return to the country after the tournament.
The cut-off point for the decision had initially been May this year but was delayed, and organisers must now commit on whether to stage the tournament in full or put it back by a year.
RLWC chief executive Jon Dutton told BBC Sport in May: "Can we deliver it the way we want to with full stadia? I don't think we can answer that question just yet.
"I think staging the tournament this year is the more palatable option, but we have to be both realistic and act in the best interest of the International game. And, if 2022 is what we have to do, then we'll do it as well as we can."
Organisers say they have an extensive plan in place should it be delayed.
World Cup doubt 'worrying'
Former England international Jon Wilkin on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra:
"It's a huge concern if you think about all the organising and planning that has gone into the World Cup, and all the activities that have taken place already.
"It's a real opportunity for the sport and for it to be in doubt is really worrying. If reading into body language counts, it felt like positivity. I think teams on the other side of the world are looking for reassurance given we're still in a global pandemic."
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