The three draws for the Rugby League World Cup 2021 (RLWC2021) took place at Buckingham Palace today (Thursday 16 January), where each competing nation in the respective men’s, women’s and wheelchair events learnt their group opponents.

Conducted by HRH The Duke of Sussex, Head of UK Sport, Dame Katherine Granger DBE and RLWC2021 International Ambassador and rugby league legend Jason Robinson OBE, the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments’ draws were completed concurrently at the iconic venue.

England men’s team will kick the tournament off against Samoa in a blockbuster opening fixture at St James Park, Newcastle on October 23, 2021. They will be joined by France and Greece in Group A. The full list of groups is as follows:

England’s women’s team play their first match on November 9, 2021 against Brazil, in front of what will be a packed house at the Emerald Headingley Stadium, Leeds. Their remaining group fixtures will see them play PNG and Canada. The full list of groups is as follows:

The wheelchair draw followed the same format as the women’s, resulting with hosts England being drawn alongside Spain and Norway in Group A. Their opening fixture will be against Australia on November 11, 2021 at The Copper Box Arena, London. The full list of groups is as follows: