Rugby League receive £16m from govrnment

Rugby league in England will receive £16m in government loans to help it recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Rugby Football League (RFL) chief executive Ralph Rimmer asked for assistance after the suspension of the game on 16 March.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said the government had intervened "to protect an entire sport".

Eighteen English venues, predominantly in the north, are scheduled to stage games during the 2021 World Cup, which runs from 23 October and 27 November, with the men's and women's finals scheduled for Old Trafford.

The sport is seen as a special case because of its social value in mainly northern communities and the risk of it being wiped out.

"Rugby league is not a wealthy sport. But it is rich in the things that matter most - outstanding sporting and life chances in often disadvantaged communities," said Rimmer.

"This support enables the sport to survive, to reshape, to be ready to restart in this our 125th year and to look to a home World Cup."