England Test status rugby league IRL RFL dispute, Digi Mart USA News: The Rugby Football League and the International Rugby League are set to hold emergency talks, with fears that England could be stripped of its status as a Test match nation in a worst-case outcome.
Reports in Australia say talks between RFL CEO Ian Nolan and his IRL counterpart Troy Grant are scheduled for this weekend in an effort to resolve a matter over finances that appears to be escalating.
The RFL owe around $800,000, or about £410,000, from the last Rugby League World Cup, which was held in England four years ago. According to a Code Sports report, that unpaid money is an outstanding rights fee that has been partially repaid to the IRL, but the RFL has reportedly decided to stop those repayments.
The same report says that if the matter is not resolved, the IRL could take the drastic step of stripping England of its formal status as a Test playing nation. The ramifications could be severe, although England could still play games.
Tonga did something similar as an invitational side in 2019 when it faced Australia amid ongoing boardroom issues.
A Test series against New Zealand is scheduled for next autumn on English soil, and it is clear that no party wants the dispute to escalate further. The situation also comes as the RFL board is asked to consider the framework of a deal from the NRL to invest in the game in Europe.
The IRL has emphasized that its preference is to reach a favorable outcome and continue efforts to grow the sport in the Northern Hemisphere. With part of the 2022 rights fee still outstanding, the IRL is now calling the RFL to talks to reach a resolution.
Stripping the RFL and England of Test status would be a significant moment, but all parties are hopeful that it will not happen.
