Rugby League Planet - 2010 Rugby League European Cup

RUGBY LEAGUE EUROPEAN CUP
RUGBY LEAGUE EUROPEAN CUP OVERVIEW

Host Nation - France and Scotland are confirmed so far.

Number of Teams - 4 (France, Wales, Ireland, Scotland)

2010 European Cup Snapshot - The 2010 European Cup will be the 2nd instalment of the revamped competition and will continue with the development of international rugby league throughout Europe. The Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) have provided the 2nd tier Rugby League nations with an annual tournament to assist with their ongoing development. This tournament will build on the success of the 2009 European Cup. The 2010 European Cup will reward the winner with a place in the Four Nations tournament Involving Australia, England and New Zealand in 2011.

The 2010 European Cup will provide the winner with a chance to take on the three most succesful Rugby League nations on the planet. This is a step in the right direction for the international game as it strives to promote more teams into the top tier of the international game.

The 2010 Tournament has seen a reducion in participating teams from six to four. Last years participants Lebanon, Italy and Serbia will now take part in other european competitions. The Final has also been removed with a "first past the post" type setup deciding the winner of the European Cup. The tournament is another piece of the international puzzle and will help nations prepare for the 2013 World Cup qualifiers that are due to commence in 2011.

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