World Cup pay for women and wheelchair players will be equal to men’s

Female and wheelchair international rugby league players will receive participation fees for the first time at the 2021 World Cup in England, and they will be the same as their male counterparts are paid.

Prize money will also be awarded to women’s and wheelchair nations for the first time.

Participation fees for male players will increase by 125 per cent compared to 2017. The total amount that will be paid out in combined prize and participation money will be approximately £1.8million.

RLWC 2021 chief executive, Jon Dutton, said: “One of our core values as a tournament is inclusivity and we believe that our revised agreements showcase our determination to ensure we celebrate this in 2021.”

International Rugby League chief executive, Nigel Wood, added: “These announcements are a tribute to the journey the women’s and wheelchair games have made over the past decade. Both of these disciplines of our sport have the chance to establish rugby league as market leaders in their particular fields.”

Meanwhile, Bradford Bulls face more uncertainty after Chris Brereton, the head of the consortium bidding to take control of the cash-strapped Championship club, withdrew from the group.

Former Wakefield Trinity coowner Brereton had spoken of his desire to seize ownership of the Bulls from New Zealander Andrew Chalmers.

But having recently admitted the club’s debts may prevent him from pressing ahead with his takeover bid, Brereton yesterday announced he had left the group.

It is understood the Bulls have racked up debts of over £500,000 to a wide range of creditors and, although Brereton has walked away, the consortium will press ahead with their takeover bid and will hold forums with supporters tonight and tomorrow.