EXPLORE Ruck and roll
The North West
Some of rugby league’s heartlands, the homes of St Helens, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves and Leigh Centurions, will host games.
You can see Wales take on Tonga on October 24 at St Helens’ Totally Wicked Stadium. The University of Bolton stadium will host England’s second group game against France.
England will then head back across the Pennines to Yorkshire and Bramall Lane in Sheffield, for their match against Greece.
The venue will also showcase Rugby League World Cup 2021’s official charity partner UNICEF.
Back in the North West, Manchester is set for the tournament’s climax with a momentous weekend of rugby league beginning with the wheelchair final at Manchester Central on November 18.
Then it’s off to Old Trafford, home of Manchester United and a venue with a rich rugby league history, having hosted the Super League Grand Final since 1998.
The last day of the tournament sees the women’s and men’s winners crowned in a double header. While you’re there: The converted railway arches in
Whitworth Street West, at the bottom end of Deansgate, are ideal for a mini bar crawl.
At Deansgate Locks there is Revolution, Lock 91, live music at Rebellion as well as The Comedy Store, all accessible via a walkway and bridge over the canal.
There’s a handful of other bars nearby that are worth exploring too, some dating back to the vibrant times of the legendary Hacienda club. visitmanchester.com
The Midlands
Australia and Scotland fans will flock to the 32,753 capacity Coventry Arena for their fixture on October 21. Opened in 2005, the main stadium is home to Coventry City FC and Wasps. While you’re there: A visit to the market town of Rugby is a must to see the Webb Ellis Museum, a small attraction less than 100 yards from
The South
where, legend says, the game was born at Rugby School during an 1823 soccer match when pupil William Webb Ellis showed a ‘fine disregard for the rules of the game’ by picking up the ball and running with it.
It led to the drawing up of the first formal set of rules at Rugby School. therugbyfootballmuseum.co.uk
The South
Witness history being made at the 60,704 capacity Emirates Stadium, when Arsenal’s North London home stages one of the men’s semi-finals on November 12 – the first time it has hosted a non-football sporting event.
Three exciting wheelchair rugby double headers will be played at The Copper Box Arena in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park,
London. The
Copper Box was built for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and has hosted high profile events including the 2014 Invictus Games and the 2015 Netball Superleague Grand Final.
While you’re there: The World Rugby Museum is located at the East Stand of Twickenham Stadium in South West London. New fans of the game can learn how a so-called ‘cabbage patch’ eventually became the world’s most famous rugby ground.
Visit the England dressing room, the VIP areas and see breathtaking views from the top of the stand.
Browse 37,000 pieces of rugby memorabilia including boots, balls, jerseys, programmes, match tickets and books. Meet rugby fans at the Cabbage Patch pub, opposite. worldrugby museum.
com