The Emirates stadium in London will be one of the 21 venues to host 2021 Rugby World Cup games with Newcastle's St James Park the stage for the opening ceremony.

It will be the first time the home of Arsenal which has a capacity of 60,260, will have a non- football match played since the stadium was finished in 2006.

In another first,  the men's competition, the wheelchair events and the women's competition will all be on simultaneously. 

Prominent rugby league areas such as Hull, Greater Manchester and Hull will all be involved in hosting matches.

Other football stadiums utilised are Anfield in Liverpool and Bramall Lane the home of Sheffield United. 

RK