IT has been confirmed which nations will be competing in the inaugural Physical Disability Rugby League (PDRL) World Cup, to be hosted in Warrington.

Running alongside the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments later this year, the pool stage of the tournament will be held at Victoria Park on October 23, 25 and 28 and will feature England, Wales, Australia and New Zealand.

The final will take place at The Halliwell Jones Stadium on Sunday, October 30, after the men’s group stage clash between Samoa and France.

“RLWC2021 is committed to being the biggest, best and most inclusive Rugby League World Cup in history, and hosting a PDRL World Cup showcase event alongside the Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair tournaments is just one of the ways we are bringing that commitment to life,” RLWC2021 chief executive Jon Dutton said.

“We are proud to be provide the platform for a PDRL World Cup showcase event, and we hope that the sport may follow Wheelchair Rugby League, which featured in the RLWC2017 as a showcase event and is now a cemented feature within the RLWC2021 tournament.

“In terms of hosting the PDRL World Cup showcase event, I can think of no better host than Warrington.

“The town is synonymous with our sport and their support for PDRL via the Warrington Wolves Foundation is exemplary.”

Cabinet member for leisure and community, Cllr Tony Higgins, said: “We have an outstanding track record of championing people with disabilities in Warrington, including the pioneering work of both the Warrington Wolves Foundation and Warrington Disability Partnership.

“It is an honour for us to continue our commitment to raising the profile of disability sport by hosting the PDRL World Cup in Warrington later this year, and to equally support the tournament’s aim of being the biggest and most inclusive competition to date.”

Warrington PDRL player Adam Hills, RLWC2021 Tournament Ambassador, said: “I’ve been looking forward to playing in the PDRL World Cup for a long time, and now the nations and fixture dates have been confirmed it’s feeling very real.

“To have the tournament in this country and as part of the RLWC2021 is a brilliant opportunity to really raise the profile of this fantastic game, and hopefully encourage more people with a physical disability to get involved.

“I’m proud to be an ambassador for a tournament as inclusive as the RLWC2021, and I’m looking forward to personally revealing more about the PDRL World Cup soon!”