Rugby League World Cup draw: England to face Samoa first up as Prince Harry hosts event at Buckingham Palace

The Duke of Sussex will be the face of a mental awareness campaign throughout the tournament in England

Prince Harry is hosting the Rugby League World Cup draw (EPA)

England will face Samoa in the opening match of the Rugby League World Cup with France and Greece also in Group A after the draw at Buckingham Palace. Prince Harry, making his first public appearance since announcing plans to step back from royal family duties, hosted the draw as the face of the mental fitness charter launched by the sport to run throughout the tournament.

Reigning champions Australia are in Group B with Fiji, Scotland and Italy. New Zealand, Lebanon, Jamaica and Ireland are in Group C, while rising force Tonga join Papua New Guinea, Wales and Cook Islands in Group D. England's opening match against France will be held at St James’ Park, Newcastle, is on 23 October and kicks off the tournament.

The Duke of Sussex outlined his motivation for taking part in the initiative to boost the mental health of those involved in the sport. “Rugby League isn’t just a sport, it’s a community,” Harry said ahead of the launch. "For many years, it has been at the forefront of promoting and supporting good mental fitness, working hard to build a positive mindset for everyone involved in the sport. So, I am proud to support the Rugby League World Cup 2021 Mental Fitness Charter. This Charter will build on the brilliant work already happening in rugby league by committing to training and educating all those involved in the tournament and the wider rugby league family, not only in how they can look after their own mental fitness but also support others to do the same.”

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Key Points

• Prince Harry hosts the draw at Buckingham Palace as face of a new mental health awareness campaign running during tournament
• Group A: England, France, Samoa, Greece. Group B: Australia, Fiji, Scotland, Italy
• Group C: New Zealand, Lebanon, Jamaica, Ireland. Group D: Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Wales, Cook Islands
• England are with Papua New Guinea, Canada and Brazil in Group A of the women's tournament, with Australia in Group B alongside New Zealand, France and the Cook Islands

[16 January 2020 12:13 · Jack Rathborn]

Men's Rugby League World Cup draw

Group A 

England 

Samoa

France

Greece

Group B 

Australia

Fiji

Scotland

Italy

Group C

New Zealand 

Lebanon

Jamaica

Ireland

Group D 

Tonga 

Papa New Guinea

Wales

Cook Islands

[16 January 2020 12:16 · Jack Rathborn]

Now for the women's draw...

[16 January 2020 12:18 · Jack Rathborn]

Women's Rugby League World Cup

Group A 

England 

Papua New Guinea

Canada

Brazil

Group B 

Australia

New Zealand 

France

Cook Islands

[16 January 2020 12:20 · Jack Rathborn]

England vs France at St James’ Park, Newcastle, is on 23 October will be the opening match of the men's tournament.

England vs Brazil at the Emerald Headingley Stadium, Leeds on 9 November will be the opening game for the women's tournament.

England vs Australia on 11 November at the Copper Box Arena in London will be the first game at the wheel chair World Cup.

[16 January 2020 12:22 · Jack Rathborn]

Now for the wheelchair World Cup draw...

Group A 

England 

Australia

Spain

Norway

Group B 

France

Wales

Scotland

USA