University of Leeds will be home to training hub for Rugby League World Cup 2021

The England women’s team will be one of the squads based at the University during the competition. Other teams will also be using the training facilities but they have not yet been identified.

The players will have access to first-class training facilities, including a floodlit World 22 specification 3G rubber crumb pitch and high-quality grass pitches, strength and conditioning facilities, an eight-lane 25m swimming pool and accommodation.

The university will also look at ways to get staff and students involved.

The competition is made up of three tournaments: the men’s, women’s and wheelchair World Cups. Three of the men’s and four of the women’s matches will be played at the Emerald Headingley Stadium, home of Leeds Rhinos, and one of the men’s semi-finals will take place at Elland Road. The event will be held in the autumn of 2021, with the finals weekend at the end of November.

Suzanne Glavin, head of sport and physical activity, said: “The University is proud to be associated with the tournament. It will showcase the very best of world Rugby League and the decision that we will host one of the training hubs is a fitting endorsement of the world-class facilities we have.”