International RL bosses block Scotland and Ireland from next World Cup

RUGBY League Test chiefs insist blocking Scotland and Ireland from the next World Cup is not a sign of southern hemisphere bias.

Instead, they believe it will make the sport stronger in the Northern Hemisphere.

Lack of participation is why the home nations, plus Italy and Lebanon, have been downgraded from full members to affiliate nations by the International Rugby League.

That rules them out of qualifying for the next tournament in 2026, although the latter will play if they reach the quarter-finals in 2022.

But while it is undoubtedly a blow to Northern Hemisphere countries – many top players will now be unable to represent their heritage on the biggest international stage – IRL is confident it is not writing off half the world.

Secretary General Danny Kazandjian, who also relegated already-suspended Russia, told SunSport: “This is certainly not a sign of weakness in the Northern Hemisphere.

“Rather, it is now up to those countries to develop the sport by growing the number of locally registered players and active clubs playing in increasingly longer and more substantive championships.

“Only by doing that will rugby league gain popularity and strength in a country, and that is the fundamental mission of any national federation.

“In addition, the other European full members all showed growth in the key registered player sections and there are some great organizations in the Northern Hemisphere in Europe, America and Africa all pushing the boundaries of the game in a sustainable way.

“Participating in a World Cup is not a sign that rugby league in a particular country is strong, it is just a sign that the national team that country can field is strong.

“For example, Ireland has competed in every modern men’s World Cup, but there is no link between those appearances and the growing sport in Ireland.

“Rugby League’s global growth depends on IRL’s greatest asset – its National Federation members – developing the sport locally and authentically.”

After the World Cup shrank from sixteen to ten teams, the move is the latest blow to rugby league in the Northern Hemisphere.

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IRL says their failure to meet the terms of its membership policy, which requires countries of their size to have a minimum of 250 locally registered players, four affiliated clubs, states or provinces, a senior league of at least six teams and a tournament with at least four in the under-15 to under-19 age group, are behind the call.

Countries must have a development program for women and girls and a business plan for at least three years.

Kazandjian added: “Although all five countries that have been reclassified as associate members have different records, the common factor is participation.

“All five full members did not meet those minimum standards.”

Rugby League Ireland chairman Jim Reynolds believes his organization has already taken steps to quickly regain full membership.

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“RLI thanks IRL for recognizing the significant transformation we have achieved since Covid-19 in addressing the non-compliance issues raised at RLI over the past decade,” he said.

“We have worked hard to exceed good governance standards and as our youth groups have grown a year older, they are now also eligible to help us regain full IRL membership status this year-end.”

IRL says that the respective governing bodies have not met the terms of the IRL membership policy for five years and that each of them will receive a parachute payment to invest in areas in which they are not compliant.

Kazandjian continued: “We continually work with member federations to improve their operations and governance, and we see standards rising both on and off the field.

“In the long term, ensuring compliance with IRL’s regulatory framework will result in a greater, more sustainable and productive sport.”