SMITH WANTS WORLD CUP SOLUTION

FORMER England coach Tony Smith believes France pulling out of holding the 2025 Rugby League World Cup is an opportunity lost but the international game can still flourish.

France bailed yesterday, the second time the tournament’s hosts had made a U-turn after North America ditched it in 2018 due to financial concerns.

France encountered its own funding issues after its government reneged on its original promise of £52m. And International Rugby League chair Troy Grant admitted it was “difficult to express how disappointed I am”.

RFL chair Simon Johnson said it would continue to support the French game on “such a difficult day” while the IRL will meet tomorrow to start discussing contingency plans.

Given England hosted last year’s delayed World Cup, it is expected Australia will come to the rescue. Hull FC boss Smith (right), the Australian who was in charge of England at the 2008 World Cup, remains optimistic.

He said: “It’s disappointing when we’re trying to help France grow by having a mid-year international with them.

“And the prospect of promoting the game in France would have been fantastic.

“It would have attracted a lot of interest from Down Under, a lot of people would have co-ordinated a World Cup/European trip and it would have been attractive to people here, too. But it’s not to be. It’s hard to blame anyone within the sport. It’s more of a political agenda.

“There is an appetite for international rugby league as was shown in the last World Cup. That’s not just the men’s but the women’s and wheelchair, too.

“Let’s hope we can get something in place.”

■ ST HELENS prop Matty Lees could be banned for three games after he was ordered to face a tribunal tonight for striking.