RFL set deadline for itinerary of Lions 2019 tour
The Rugby Football League has given the International Federation a deadline to come up with a workable itinerary for the 2019 Lions' southern hemisphere tour.
The RFL has been pressing their RLIF counterparts for months for confirmation of the revival of the Great Britain tour and it came on Saturday at the conclusion of a four-day congress in York.
However, the RLIF says its eight-year rolling programme was only approved in principle and that next year's tour is still subject to consultation with the NRL and the players' representatives.
The Lions, who last toured in 1996, will not meet Australia next year but will instead play matches against New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and Papua New Guinea and the RFL says it wants a full itinerary mapped out by Christmas.
However, the RFL welcomed the RLIF's decision to organise a Kangaroos tour to the UK in 2020 which it said was crucial in its efforts to raise interest ahead of the 2021 World Cup.
"The next three years are vitally important to our England teams and the game in this country as we prepare to host the 2021 Rugby League World Cups," said Ralph Rimmer, chief executive of the RFL.
"The development of the England team over the last 18 months, reaching the final of the 2017 World Cup and then earning three wins against New Zealand in 2018, has been so encouraging - and there's an obvious demand from our players and supporters to play a series against Australia.
"The prospect of hosting a three-match Ashes series in 2020, for the first time since 2003, is therefore an exciting one.
"We're delighted that the Australians are all so keen on getting behind that concept - and coming in 2020, the series can only build anticipation for the World Cup the following year.
"Planning for RLWC 2021 is already well underway, as the tournament's chief executive Jon Dutton indicated this week - and now we can start our preparations to welcome the Kangaroos in 2020.
"We've been working to revive Great Britain as a touring team for several years now and therefore hope the RLIF are able to deliver a workable itinerary for 2019 before Christmas, as their chief executive has indicated.
"Providing high-level international competition for our England men's, women's and wheelchair teams has never been more important, for our players or supporters, and it's good to see the RLIF and its members tackling that challenge."
There is still no indication of a mid-season international for England in 2019, which head coach Wayne Bennett says is vital if they are to continue to close the gap on Australia.
"We have to play," he said. "We don't play an Origin series and we cannot afford to let Australia continue to have that advantage."
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