The RFL will enter teams representing England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales for the 16-team tournament they will host in the Autumn of the Millennium.

National coach Andy Goodway admits the chances of a home success have been markedly diminished by the decision - announced at the end of a two-day meeting of the International Federation (RLIF) in Sydney - not to tackle the might of Australia and New Zealand with a full Great Britain team.

Gary Connolly and Terry O'Connor, for example, have committed themselves to Ireland and, with Dale Laughton opting for Scotland and Iestyn Harris and Keiron Cunningham regulars for Wales, Goodway's squad for the recent Test series with New Zealand will be decimated.

"It was tough enough before, now it's going to make it even harder," Goodway said.

"But they've got to go with separate countries to get the funding for the World Performance Programme and that's more important than my ego."

Bid for funding

The League are bidding for £750,000 of Sports Council funding as part of the World Class Performance Programme and any grant would be likely to be made on condition that separate teams are involved.

The League are also conscious of the need to follow up pioneering work in Dublin, Glasgow and South Wales as they seek to take the game to a greater audience.

England and Wales took part in the 1995 World Cup when the Scots and Irish competed in the second-tier Emerging Nations competition but, with the addition of second-generation players of the calibre of Shaun Edwards and Connolly, they are considered strong enough to hold their own on the big stage.

Scotland and Ireland were only narrowly beaten by France in this year's inaugural Tri-Nations competition while Wales were pipped 15-12 on their return to the international stage by Emerging England.

Wales, who have enjoyed a chequered past, were the outstanding success in the 1995 tournament, reaching the semi-finals, and coach Clive Griffiths believes their inclusion in 2000 will give the game a much-needed boost in the Valleys.

"I am absolutely delighted and I'd love to be involved again," Griffiths said.

"After a series of blows, this is a tremendous fillip for the rugby league supporters of Wales. They can get their scarves out again."