Vicky Lissaman gets us ready for England’s Rugby League World Cup kick-off
One year later than planned because of the pandemic, the 2021 Rugby League World Cup – hosted in England – is set to be the biggest tournament in the game’s history.
Staged in some of our most famous sporting venues, the first of 61 matches will kick off at St James’ Park in Newcastle on October 15.
The action will then criss-cross the country before heading to Manchester. The city will host the men’s and women’s double-header final at Old Trafford on November 19, with the wheelchair final at Manchester Central the day before.
WHERE TO WATCH THE ACTION:
The North East
With a capacity of just over 52,000, St James’ Park, home of Newcastle United, is an ideal venue to kick off proceedings, hosting the men’s opening ceremony, followed by England v Samoa.
The city’s Kingston Park, home to Newcastle Thunder and rugby union team Newcastle Falcons, will host three games including two of Scotland’s men’s fixtures. Meanwhile, Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium will see Tonga take on the Cook Islands in the men’s competition.
While you’re there:
Fancy a night on the
Toon? Head for The Bridge Tavern (thebridgetavern.com) on Newcastle Quayside, which has its own on-site microbrewery.
Try one of its real ales as you sit between the stanchions of that Geordie landmark, the Tyne Bridge.
At The Broad Chare you can sink well-kept beers while sat in a comfy leather chair. There are some great bar snacks too – including homemade scotch eggs, Lindisfarne oysters and crispy pigs’ ears. thebroadchare.co.uk, newcastlegateshead.com
Yorkshire
The county will have 32 of the tournament’s matches. The Leeds
Rhinos Headingley stadium, with a capacity of 21,062, will host the opening fixture of the women’s competition where England take on Brazil – a match that has broken the record for the number of tickets already sold for a UK women’s rugby league game.
York is central to the women’s event, with the LNER Community Stadium hosting six group games across three double-headers.
It will also host both women’s semi-finals on November 14.
The English Institute of Sport in Sheffield will host eight wheelchair games including both semi-finals.
The MKM Stadium, home of Hull Tigers, will host two group matches and one of the men’s quarter-finals.
Another quarter final tie is at Huddersfield Giants’ John Smith’s Stadium, while Elland Road, home
of Leeds United, will have one of the men’s semi-finals on November 11. While you’re there: The unofficial Yorkshire capital, Leeds is renowned for its thriving independent food scene. You’ll find it in the street food stalls of Kirkgate Market and Trinity Kitchen and independent venues such as The Reliance.
Go for pub grub at Whitelock’s, the oldest pub in the city founded in 1715, or head to Nash’s fish and chip restaurant, frying since 1924. visitleeds.co.uk
Nearby Huddersfield is the birthplace of rugby league – a meeting at the town’s George Hotel in 1895 led to 21 clubs breaking from rugby union so their working class players could be paid to play. The hotel is closed, but a rugby league museum is planned for the site, next to Huddersfield rail station.