IRL Board identifies priority nations

France, Papua New Guinea and Wales have been identified as priority nations for International Rugby League, along with one country in Africa, which the IRL Board will select later this year.
These nations will receive significant funding to support bespoke national strategies that will be developed in partnership with each national federation.

The Board has limited this group to four to focus resources. At the appropriate point, it will select additionally promising or strategically important nations to receive similar support.

France, Papua New Guinea and Wales are historically important rugby league nations, each with several thousand local participants, pathways into the elite game, strong rugby league cultures and have strategic advantages in their own right.

France is the most advanced tier two rugby league nation operating in one of Europe’s two biggest sports markets, with a professional and semi-professional club population.

Wales has a semi-professional club population and, along with France, is the most likely to reach a competitive level with England.

Wales Rugby League Chairman James Davies said: “It’s a real honour for Wales Rugby League to be recognised by the IRL Board as a priority nation for growth. We’ve got a proud history in the sport — from beating New Zealand in our first-ever international in 1908 — and we’re building a bold future.

“All of our programmes are growing year on year, with clear pathways into the international game. We know the talent is here — our legends have proved that — and now it’s about unlocking the next generation.

“We’re proud to have both our Women’s and Wheelchair teams qualified for the 2026 World Cup. And with our junior boys’ pathway, led by Head of Youth Paul Berry and Performance Director Clive Griffiths, we’re firmly focused on being World Cup ready by 2030. Already, over 40 players within our system are involved with Super League clubs — clear evidence that our development model is working.

“We’ve brought together a dynamic new board, headed by our CEO Richard Hibbard — former Wales and British & Irish Lions international — blending business acumen with elite-level sporting experience. While our ambitions are high, everything is built on the strength of our community game — that’s our foundation and our future.”

Assisting France and Wales to compete with England provides the sport with another potential commercially valuable international competition, and provides some flexibility for England, who at the moment feel as though they must play Southern Hemisphere nations.

Rugby League in Papua New Guinea is set to receive massive investment from the Australian Government, while a Port Moresby-based team will join the NRL in 2028.

The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) has announced a new policy aimed at developing rugby league talent in Papua New Guinea, with NRL clubs allowed to sign up to two PNG Pathway Players - defined as those who have participated in junior rugby league in PNG - outside the salary cap.

PNGRFL CEO Stanley Hondina said: “Papua New Guinea, the only country in the world where rugby league is the national sport, continues to be a beacon of excellence and enthusiasm for the game. The foundation of six regional pathways and academy programs linked to the 12 Clubs in our semi-professional competition, the Digicel ExxonMobil competition, has created a strong framework for future stars to emerge.

“PNGRFL's strategic appointments—including Tony Archer, Joe Grima, and Stanley Gene, amongst many others—have strengthened the performance and pathway department, ensuring sustainable growth for elite and grassroots talent.

“Recent standout performances by the Junior Kumuls and Junior Orchids have reinforced the country’s potential, as they carry the pride of a nation that lives and breathes rugby league. As Papua New Guinea approaches its 50th anniversary of independence, the game celebrates not just sporting excellence but also the unity and identity forged through the game.

“December 12, 2024, marked a historic milestone as Papua New Guinea secured an NRL licence, paving the way for a team in the world's top rugby league competition. This achievement not only establishes a premier team but also drives investment into grassroots and pathway systems, strengthening the deep people-to-people connection between Australia and PNG.

“The successful completion of the 10th PNGRFL AGM in Port Moresby on March 29 underscores the strong governance, stability, and ongoing growth of our game. Presenting of audited accounts conducted by Ernst & Young, one of the Big Four audit firms, further reinforces the highest standards of credibility and accountability, ensuring transparency and confidence in our operations.”

The IRL Board recognised the growth in Africa and the long-term potential that Africa represents. It will choose which country after a period of consultation with national governments.

At the recent IRL Board meeting in Las Vegas, it was agreed that further work would be done on making International Rugby League as efficient and effective as possible, including selecting strategic investment areas for the game.

This will lead into a Chair-led strategy committee to refresh the current plan and stems from the commercialised international calendar, which was developed at the mid-2023 IRL Board meeting in Singapore.

Details of the international calendar from 2028 to 2030 will be determined once hosts for the 2028 Women’s World Cup, 2029 Wheelchair World Cup and 2030 Men’s World Cup have been confirmed. These details will include qualification pathways for these future world cups, with formats for 2028 already developed, given the one-year gap between the next two women’s world cups.

The revenue that IRL is anticipating from the World Cups and other major tournaments will allow for more investment in all areas of the game, including core capacity building and participation development projects.

In addition to the four ‘powerhouse’ nations identified for funding, the strategy will prioritise increasing global participation and how IRL can assist with growing playing numbers.