England's Sam Burgess celebrates during the Rugby League World Cup semi-final v New Zealand
The Rugby Football League has welcomed news that the Government will back a UK bid for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.
Chancellor George Osborne revealed in his spending review that, as well as increasing UK Sport's funding by 29 per cent, plans to host rugby league's international showpiece once more would also receive support.
"Following the success of hosting London 2012 and the rugby union World Cup, the Government will support the ambition to host the cycling road world championships and 2021 Rugby League World Cup in the Northern Powerhouse," he said.
More than 450,000 fans flowed through the turnstiles at 21 venues across Britain when the country last hosted the tournament in 2013 and hopes are high for a repeat performance.
RFL chief executive Nigel Wood, said: "We are delighted that the RFL's interest in bidding for the Rugby League World Cup has Government support."
The 2013 tournament, which was won by Australia, was broadcast in more than 140 countries and the recent 2015 International Series saw more than 90,000 fans in total turn out to see England beat New Zealand.
"The UK has a deserved reputation for staging world class events and the RFL has demonstrated its own ability to deliver in recent years," Wood added.
"We believe with the right level of national support, up to and including the World Cup in 2021, there is a real opportunity to build further on the successful 2013 World Cup and move the sport onto a new level, delivering an unprecedented event that showcases Rugby League to the whole world.
"Bringing another world class sporting tournament to the UK will undoubtedly excite the entire nation and we will work with partners to ensure that if the UK is to host the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, it will be the biggest and best ever staged."
England, Wales, France and Ireland hosted the last World Cup in 2013 and the next competition in 2017 will take place in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
