{
  "id": 17612795,
  "title": "How England's rugby league bosses plan to avoid repeat of World Cup pain",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/how-englands-rugby-league-bosses-plan-to-avoid-repeat-of-world-cup",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-01T13:56:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Sport",
    "slug": "bbc-sport",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/articles/c5y439xp22n7o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "England's rugby league bosses aim to avoid repeating the World Cup disappointments that plagued the national team. Former Great Britain captain Paul Sculthorpe, England women's team leader Jodie Cunningham and international star Adrian Morley will join forces to create a new strategy for the future of English rugby league. The Rugby Football League (RFL) has unveiled plans to address the issues that led to their early exits from both the Men's and Women's World Cups. RFL chief executive Ian Nolan acknowledged that various factors, such as travel schedules and the paywall controversy, contributed to the setbacks, but emphasized that excuses will not be accepted. The new plan will cover all aspects of improving the national game, including media rights, audience reach, and attracting new fans. However, the RFL also acknowledges that the women's team has faced additional challenges due to the amateur status of the Women's Super League and the need to compete against professional Australian teams. The average age of England's squad during the World Cup was just 21 years old, but the foundation is beginning to show results. Head coach Ian McDermott aims to lead the team to the 2030 World Cup, hoping that increased investment from the Australian Rugby League Commission will help bridge the gap between English and Australian rugby league.",
  "summary": "After England exit the Men's and Women's Rugby League World Cups at the group stage, the RFL announces plans design to prevent a repeat.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "RNZ Pacific",
        "title": "Live: Tonga v Samoa Rugby League World Cup final group match",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/live-tonga-v-samoa-rugby-league-world-cup-final-group-match",
        "published": "2026-11-01T07:45:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "Rugby League World Cup LIVE updates: Tonga tackle arch rivals Samoa",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/rugby-league-world-cup-live-updates-tonga-tackle-arch-rivals-samoa",
        "published": "2026-11-01T08:36:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "Rugby League World Cup LIVE updates: Tonga tackle arch rivals Samoa",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/rugby-league-world-cup-live-updates-tonga-tackle-arch-rivals-samoa-17567754",
        "published": "2026-11-01T08:36:34.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}