Britain plans 2013 World Cup bid

The Rugby Football League has confirmed Britain has drawn up plans to host the next World Cup and hopes the event will be moved to 2013 to avoid the Olympics.

The RFL lost around £700,000 the last time it staged the tournament, in 2000, but executive chairman Richard Lewis said lessons have been learnt.

"We've put a bid together. We've got a document that we're going to present during the World Cup," he said.

"We think it's a very strong document - we're very excited about the prospect."

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The RFL hopes for the next tournament to be in 2013 to avoid a clash with the Olympics, and envisages a 12-team tournament, rather than the 16 in 2000 and 10 this year.

"We're making a bid with 12 teams, probably with three groups of four, although that is a discussion point," added Lewis.

"If the Australian Rugby League wants to host it again, then that's a good thing because it means this World Cup will have been a success.

"But I think the UK is the right place for it to be and I'll be making that case with confidence."

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