Published at 13:02, Thursday, 22 March 2012

West Cumbria will welcome Scotland as their host nation in the Rugby League World Cup.

The Scots, coached by ex-Whitehaven boss Steve McCormack, will play Italy and Tonga at Whitehaven’s new Pow Beck Stadium in Group C, at dates to be fixed in autumn next year.

Scotland will be based in west Cumbria for the two matches. The announcement was made at Whitehaven Civic Hall this morning.

England were drawn alongside arch rivals Australia, Fiji and Ireland in Group A.

World Cup holders New Zealand will face Pacific Island rivals Papua New Guinea, Samoa and France in Group B and joint hosts Wales have been drawn against the Cook Islands and the USA in Group D.

The first games and opening ceremony will be played on Saturday, October 26 and the final on Saturday, November 30. The full list of dates and kick-offs will only be announced when the broadcast schedule is finalised.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk