This year’s 2021 Rugby League World Cup will continue as scheduled, with the first game of the tournament set to kickoff on 23 October between hosts England and Samoa at St James’ Park Newcastle.

Mate Ma’a Tonga’s will play their first game against Papua New Guinea on 26 October at St Helens. Tonga is placed in Group D of the tournament, alongside Papua New Guinea, Wales and the Cook Island.  

Fan expectations are very high for Mate Ma’a Tonga following their historic victories over Australia and Great Britain in 2019. No international matches have been played since because of coronavirus interruptions.

Group stage schedule for 2021 Rugby League World Cup

23 October 2021         England v Samoa  (Newcastle)

23 October 2021         Australia v Fiji (Hull)

24 October 2021         Scotland v Italy (Newcastle)

24 October 2021         Jamaica v Ireland (Leeds)

24 October 2021         New Zealand v Lebanon (Warrington)

25 October 2021         France v Greece (Doncaster)

26 October 2021         Tonga v Papua New Guinea (St Helens)

27 October 2021         Wales v Cook Islands (Leigh)

29 October 2021         Australia v Scotland (Coventry)

30 October 2021         New Zealand v Jamaica (Leeds)

30 October 2021         England v France (Bolton)

30 October 2021         Fiji v Italy (Newcastle)

31 October 2021         Lebanon v Ireland (Leigh)

31 October 2021         Samoa v Greece (Doncaster)

1 November 2021      Tonga v Wales (St. Helens)

2 November 2021       Papua New Guinea  v Cook Islands (Warrington)

5 November 2021       New Zealand v Ireland (Leeds)

6 November 2021       Fiji v Scotland  (Newcastle)

6 November 2021       Australia v Italy (St Helens)

6 November 2021       England v Greece (Sheffield)

7 November 2021       Samoa v France (Warrington)

7 November 2021      Tonga v Cook Islands (Middlesbrough)

7 November 2021       Lebanon v Jamaica (Leigh)

8 November 2021       Papua New Guinea v Wales (Doncaster)