International Rugby League chair Troy Grant could not hide his disappointment after France today pulled out of hosting the 2025 Rugby League World Cup - leaving the sport's international game in chaos.
It is the second time the tournament's host has made a U-turn after North America bailed in 2018 due to financial concerns. France has encountered its own funding issues after the French government demanded a guarantee from organisers for the risk of loss for the event. On the back of the 2021 World Cup being delayed by 12 months due to Covid, it is another hammer blow for the sport at international level.
Last year's World Cup in England was eventually deemed a relative success but once more the chance to build on that has been left in turmoil. The IRL will meet on Wednesday to discuss contingency plans with the hope that Australia and possibly New Zealand could take on the tournament which could also be postponed until 2026. Grant said: "It’s difficult to express how disappointed I am with this news.
