SHAUN Wane’s England could be involved a mid-season European Nines tournament the year after next, under a proposal released today.
European Rugby League (ERL) is seeking tenders for the hosting of the tournament, which it has pencilled it for mid-summer 2023. In the bid prospectus, England is one of the countries listed as being a competing nation.
There is no mention as to whether the European Nines will be a qualifying tournament for the second World Cup Nines, which is due to be held in Sydney in 2023.
“We’re very excited to be inviting our members and their partners to tender for the 2023 European Rugby League 9s Championship,” ERL general manager David Butler said in a media release.
“We’ve seen that 9s generate a significant amount of interest and the fast and frenetic nature of the game makes it a perfect spectator sport. The event will give the game in Europe another perfect platform to showcase itself.”
In the accompanying bid document, ERL states the tournament “will bring together men’s and women’s national teams from Europe’s invited from our pool of full and affiliate members:
“Full Members: England, France, Italy, Ireland, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, Wales;
“Affiliate Members: Czechia, Germany, Greece, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Spain, Turkey.
“We are open to proposals which include the full and affiliate members from the Middle East & Africa and Americas regions of our membership and from organising committees located outside of Europe.”
Discussing the timing of the event, the document says: “The mid-season international window (TBC June 2023) is the preferred date.”
