RFL outlines plans for future of England's rugby league after World Cup exit

The Rugby Football League (RFL) has announced a strategy to improve English rugby league following exits from the Men's and Women's World Cups at the group stage. RFL chief executive Ian Nolan acknowledged mitigating factors, but emphasized the need for substantial improvements. The plan includes input from rugby figures like Paul Sculthorpe and Jodie Cunningham and aims to develop players from grassroots to elite levels. England’s men's team, led by coach Brian McDermott, has highlighted ongoing structural issues in domestic competitions that hinder international success, while the women's side is looking to bolster its development programs. Analysts have suggested that inadequate domestic competition has adversely affected women's performance at the World Cup.

• 1:56 PMBBC Sport — How England's rugby league bosses plan to avoid repeat of World Cup pain