International rugby league in 2021

A list of men and women international rugby league matches played throughout 2021 and does not include wheelchair rugby league international matches. A † denotes a recognised, but unofficial match that did not contribute to the IRL World Rankings.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Championship B, European Championship C, European Championship D and Americas Championship were all initially postponed until 2021, however all were eventually abanonded except for the European Championship B and European Championship D due to travel restrictions.

2021 Rugby League World Cup was also postponed until 2022 due to Australia and New Zealand pulling out months before the tournament was scheduled to commence.

Season overview

Men's international tours
Start date	Touring side	Region	Results [Matches]
6 June 2021	Serbia	Balkans	4–0 [4]
Men's international friendlies
Start date	Home team	Away team	Winners
28 February 2021	Brazil	Uruguay	Brazil
6 March 2021	Peru	El Salvador	El Salvador
13 June 2021	Brazil	Philippines	Philippines
2 October 2021	Germany	Netherlands	Netherlands
23 October 2021	France	England	England
24 October 2021	Jamaica	Scotland	Draw
19 December 2021	North Macedonia	Vietnam	North Macedonia
Men's international tournaments
Start date	Tournament		Winners
3 October 2021	European Championship B		Serbia
14 October 2021	European Championship D		Netherlands

Women's international tours
Start date	Touring side	Region	Results [Matches]
No international women's tours in 2021
Women's international friendlies
Start date	Home team	Away team	Winners
25 June 2021	England	Wales	England
17 October 2021	Wales	Ireland	Ireland
23 October 2021	France	England	England
Women's international tournaments
Start date	Tournament		Winners
No international women's tournaments in 2021

Rankings

The following were the rankings at the beginning of the season.

IRL Men's World Rankings
Official rankings as of 18 November 2019^[1]
Rank	Change	Team	Points %
1	2	New Zealand	100.00%
2	1	Australia	91.82%
3	1	England	85.34%
4		Tonga	60.66%
5		Fiji	36.57%
6	4	Papua New Guinea	28.53%
7		Samoa	22.09%
8	2	France	16.69%
9	1	Scotland	15.00%
10	1	Lebanon	11.81%
11	5	Greece	11.38%
12		Ireland	11.36%
13	1	Italy	7.86%
14	3	Wales	7.75%
15	4	Serbia	0.00%
16	1	Malta	6.77%
17	1	Norway	5.63%
18	3	United States	5.39%
19	4	Poland	5.35%
20	7	Jamaica	5.04%
21	1	Hungary	4.27%
22	3	Czech Republic	4.16%
23	5	Cook Islands	3.87%
24	7	Turkey	3.51%
25	1	Netherlands	3.29%
26	4	Spain	3.18%
27	6	Canada	2.81%
28		Nigeria	2.51%
29	2	Solomon Islands	2.32%
30	10	Sweden	2.16%
31	4	Germany	1.95%
32	1	Chile	1.86%
33		Ghana	1.80%
34	16	Morocco	1.69%
35	3	Vanuatu	1.47%
36		South Africa	1.46%
37	8	Russia	1.41%
38		Cameroon	1.31%
39	2	Ukraine	1.21%
40	1	Colombia	1.06%
41	4	Brazil	0.50%
42		Belgium	0.30%
43	4	Denmark	0.13%
44	4	Bulgaria	0.10%
45	4	Latvia	0.07%
*Change from July 2019
Complete rankings at INTRL.SPORT

IRL Women's World Rankings
Official rankings as of 18 November 2019^[2]
Rank	Change	Team	Points %
1		Australia
2		New Zealand
3		England
4	2	Papua New Guinea
5	1	Canada
6	1	France
7	2	Cook Islands
8		Italy
9		Serbia
10		Fiji
11		Turkey
12		Samoa
13		Brazil
14	6	Lebanon
15		Greece
*Change from July 2019
Complete rankings at INTRL.SPORT

February

Brazil vs Uruguay men in Australia

28 February 2021

Brazil	60 – 0	Uruguay
Tries: Nunes (3), Fleury (2), Campina, Levy, De Araujo, Hilberto, Jackson, Ricau Goals: Nunes (8/11)

Hillier Oval, Sydney^[3] Attendance: 300 Referee: Logan Neilsen (Australia)

March

Peru vs El Salvador men in Australia

6 March 2021 19:30 AEDT (UTC+11:00)

Peru	10 – 18	El Salvador
Tries: Sommers (2) Goals: Altamirano (1/1), Parker (0/1)		Tries: Kiwi Kiwi (2), Orellano, Maatouk Goals: Fernandez (1/3), Maatouk (0/1)

Waminda Oval, Sydney^[4] Attendance: 513 Referee: Matt Middleton (Australia)

June

Serbia men tour of the Balkans

6 June 2021 14:00 CEST (UTC+2:00)

Bosnia and Herzegovina	4 – 50	Serbia
Tries: Banovic Goals: Ljubanic (0/1)	Report (IRL) Report (ERL) Report (SRL)	Tries: Krnjeta (2), Nedeljkovic (2), Marinkovic, Jevdjic, Ilic, Popovic, Bibic Goals: Stojilkovic (6/7), Bibic (1/2)

NK Rijeka, Vitez^[5] Referee: Slobodan Manak (Serbia)

---

19 June 2021 14:00 CEST (UTC+2:00)

Bulgaria	16 – 28	Serbia
Tries: Ivanov, Debreliev, Kostadinov Goals: Rasol (2/3)	Report (IRL) Report (ERL) Report (SRL)	Tries: Ilic (2), Mladenovic (2), Krnjeta Goals: Stojiljkovic (4/6)

FC Trebich, Sofia^[6] Referee: Slobodan Manak (Serbia)

---

27 June 2021 18:30 CEST (UTC+2:00)

Montenegro	16 – 24	Serbia
Tries: Kusic (3) Goals: Popovic (2/3)	Report (IRL) Report (ERL) Report (SRL)	Tries: Zivojinovic (2), Krnjeta (2), Bibic Goals: Arnold (2/2), Bibic (0/2), Djordjevic (0/1)

FK Arsenal Stadium, Tivat Referee: Slobodan Manak (Serbia)

---

4 July 2021 14:00 CEST (UTC+2:00)

Albania	12 – 22	Serbia
Tries: Cela, Tushaj Goals: Gucaj (2/2)	Report (SRL)	Tries: Jevdjić (2), Arnold, Živojinović Goals: Simovic (3/4)

Kompleksi Zmijani, Shkodra^[6] Attendance: 100 Referee: Slobodan Manak (Serbia)

---

Brazil vs Philippines men in Australia

Magellan Cup

13 June 2021 15:00 AEST (UTC+10:00)

Brazil	8 – 40	Philippines
Tries: Guzzo (2)	Report	Tries: Tootell (2), Stephenson, Cartwright, Sheedy, Jones, Phillips, Godfrey Goals: Russell (3), Cartwright

Kensington Oval, Sydney^[7]

---

Wales women in England

25 June 2021 18:00 BST (UTC+01:00)

England	60 – 0	Wales
Tries: Rudge (2), Roberts, Jones, Cunningham, Hoyle, Goldthorp, Roche, Beevers, Wilson, Dodd Goals: Stanley (6/7), Stott (2/4)	Report (ERL) Report (RFL) Highlights

Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington^[8] Attendance: ≈4,000 Referee: Aaron Moore (England)

October

Netherlands men in Germany

See also: Griffin Cup

Griffin Cup

2 October 2021 16:00 CEST (UTC+2:00)

Germany	16 – 48	Netherlands
Tries: Amefia, Heinrichsen, Ngondi Goals: Amefia (1/1), Doughton (1/1), Seelweger (0/1)	Report	Tries: Schoenmaker (3), Schultz (2), Dirkzwager, Ngirubiu, Longhurst, Neves, Wilce Goals: Idzerda (3/5), Thomson (1/4)

Düsseldorf Rugby Club, Dusseldorf^[9] Referee: Moray Gilland (Belgium)

---

European Championship B

Main article: 2021 Rugby League European Championship B

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Serbia	2	2	0	0	120	28	+92	4	Promotion to 2023 European Championship A
2	Ukraine	2	1	0	1	114	72	+42	2
3	Russia	2	0	0	2	28	162	−134	0

Source: ERL

3 October 2021^[10] 14:00 CEST (UTC+2:00)

Serbia	66–10	Russia
Tries: Djordjević (3), Arsić (2), Vl. Dedić (2), Pavlović (2), Bibić, Djurić, D. Janković, Trifunović Goals: Jašari (7/13)	Report (IRL) Report (ERL) Report (SRL)	Tries: Egorov, Sazonov Goals: Vabishchevich (1/2)

City Stadium, Paraćin Attendance: ≈500 Referee: Stephane Vincent (France)

---

6 October 2021^[10] 13:00 CEST (UTC+2:00)

Russia	18–96	Ukraine
Tries: Chuprin, Troitskii, Vabishchevich Goals: Vabishchevich (3/3)	Report (IRL) Report (ERL)	Tries: Skorbach (4), Adamyk (2), Hrankovskyi (2), Kolesnik (2), Kozak (2), Trusov (2), Beznoshchuk, Puchkov, Shcherbyna, Troyan Goals: Skorbach (12/17), Beznoshchuk (0/1)

FK Heroj Polet [sr], Belgrade Referee: James Jones (Wales)

---

9 October 2021^[10] 14:00 CEST (UTC+2:00)

Ukraine	18–54	Serbia
Tries: Hrankovskyi (2), Shcherbyna Goals: Skorbach (3/3)	Report (IRL) Report (ERL)	Tries: Trifunović (3), Milutinović (3), Arsić, Vl. Dedić, Stevanović, Zogović Goals: Jašari (7/10), Vo. Dedić (0/1)

FK Heroj Polet [sr], Belgrade Attendance: ≈150^[11] Referee: Andrew Pilkington (Spain)

---

European Championship D

Main article: 2021 Rugby League European Championship D

First semi-final

14 October 2021 13:00 CET (UTC+1:00)

Malta	16–40	Czech Republic
Tries: Scholey, Barlogio, Galea Goals: Galea (2/3)	Report (IRL) Report (ERL)	Tries: Bělohlávek, Preininger, Řičica (2), Hudrlík (2), Horák Goals: Hudrlík (6/7)

Huseyin Akar Tesisler Stadium, Bodrum Attendance: 500^[12] Referee: Aris Dardamanis (Greece)

---

Second semi-final

14 October 2021 15:30 CET (UTC+1:00)

Netherlands	40–18	Turkey
Tries: Shoenmake (2), Ngirubiu, Farrell (2), Renac Goals: Idzera (8/8)	Report (IRL) Report (ERL)	Tries: Demir, Ertürk, Çeliktutan Goals: Bayram (3/3)

Huseyin Akar Tesisler Stadium, Bodrum Attendance: 500^[13] Referee: Eamonn Whelan (Ireland)

---

Third-place play-off

17 October 2021 13:00 CET (UTC+1:00)

Malta	12–36	Turkey
Tries: Zammit, Cutajar Goals: Galea (2/2)	Report (IRL) Report (ERL)	Tries: Demir, Işik, Çeliktutan, Bayram, Balçin, Tayyar Berktav, Tirendez Goals: Bayram (4/7)

Huseyin Akar Tesisler Stadium, Bodrum Referee: Jarda Bzoch (Czechia)

---

Championship final^[a]

17 October 2021 15:30 CET (UTC+1:00)

Czech Republic	10–36	Netherlands
Tries: Veselý, Kasík Goals: Veselý (1/2)	Report (IRL) Report (ERL)	Tries: Schoenmaker (3), Lavia, Razoux Schultz, De Ruiter Goals: Idzera (6/9)

Huseyin Akar Tesisler Stadium, Bodrum Referee: Eamonn Whelan (Ireland)

1. Netherlands promoted to the 2023 European Championship B as well as progressing to the qualifying tournament for the 2025 Rugby League World Cup.^[14]

---

Ireland women in Wales

17 October 2021 15:00 BST (UTC+1:00)

Wales	24 – 26	Ireland
Tries: Lewis (3), Norkett (2), Michael Goals: Lewis (0/5), Salter (0/1)	Report (ERL) Report (RFL) Highlights	Tries: Lambert, Greenwood, Cobain, McGuinness, Dunne Goals: Pua (2/3), McGuinness (1/1), Birchall (0/1)

Stadiwm Zip World, Colwyn Bay^[15] Referee: Luke Fenton (Scotland)

---

England women in France

23 October 2021 13:00 CEST (UTC+2:00)

France	4 – 40	England
Tries: Bianchini Goals: Ciria (0/1)	Report (ERL) Report (RFL) Video Replay Highlights	Tries: Rudge (2), Hardcastle, Whitfield, Cunningham, Stanley, Beevers Goals: Stanley (5/6), Stott (1/1)

Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan^[15] Attendance: ≈2,000 Referee: Andrew Pilkington

---

England men in France

23 October 2021 15:30 CEST (UTC+2:00)

France	10 – 30	England
Tries: Le Cam, Sangaré Goals: Kheirallah (1/2)	Report (ERL) Report (RFL)	Tries: Makinson (2), Bateman (2), Farrell, Davies Goals: Abdull (3/6)

Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan^[15] Attendance: ≈5,500 Referee: Ben Casty (France)

---

Jamaica vs Scotland men in England

24 October 2021 15:00 BST (UTC+1:00)

Jamaica	30 – 30	Scotland
Tries: Jones Bishop (2), Coleman, J. Brown, Andrade, A. Brown Goals: Farrell (3/5)	Report (IRL) Report (ERL)	Tries: Emslie (2), Oakes, Hellewell, Ferguson Goals: Walmsley (5/5)

Millennium Stadium, Featherstone^[15] Referee: James Jones (Wales)

December

North Macedonia vs Vietnam men in Australia

19 December 2021 15:00 AEDT (UTC+11:00)

North Macedonia	58 – 0	Vietnam

Leichhardt Oval, Sydney^[16]

Non-IRL international matches

Gallipoli Cup

25 April 2021 13:50 AEST (UTC+10:00)

Australian Defence Force	46 – 0†	Turkey
Tries: Simington (2), Tabuai (2), Mason, McGregor, Munro, Rutley, Walton Goals: Munro (4/7), Walton (1/2)	Report (NRL)

Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney

Notes:

• This match was a curtain raiser to an NRL fixture between the Sydney Roosters and the St. George Illawarra Dragons.^[17]

---

Combined Nations All Stars match

25 June 2021 20:15 BST (UTC+01:00)

England	24 – 26†	Combined Nations All Stars
Tries: Farrell (2), Knowles, Davies Goals: Ratchford (4/4)	Report (Sky Sports) Report (BBC)	Tries: Sio (2), Mata'utia, McGillvary Goals: Sezer (5/6)

Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington^[18] Attendance: ≈4,000 Referee: James Child (England)

---

15 October 2021 19:00 BST (UTC+1:00)

Jamaica	4 – 56†	England Knights
Tries: Jones-Bishop	Report (ERL) Report (RFL)	Tries: Broadbent (2), Walker, Pryce, Smith (2), Longstaff, Ashton (2), Wrench Goals: Pryce (7)

Mend-A-Hose Jungle, Castleford^[15] Attendance: ≈2,250 Referee: James Child (England)

Youth test matches

Under-20 International

21 August 2021 18:00 CEST (UTC+2:00)

Serbia U20	46 – 4†	Czech Republic U20
Tries: Simovic (2), Krnjeta (2) L. Ilic, U. Ilic, Svanidze, N. Mladenovic, A. Mladenovic Goals: Stojilkovic (3/7), Simovic (2/3)	Report	Tries: Tichy Goals: Hudrlik (0/1)

SC Inge, Belgrade Attendance: 150

---

Under-16 International

22 August 2021 14:00 BST (UTC+1:00)

Wales U16	18 – 34†	England U16
Tries: Hanson, Morris, Morgan, Farmer-Gratton Goals: Morgan (1/4)	Report	Tries: Billy (2), S. Egan (2), Welburn, J. Egan, Joseph Goals: Whitford (1/4), Cooper (2/3)

Stadiwm Zip World, Colwyn Bay Attendance: 710 Referee: Rob Apsee (Wales)

---

Under-17 International

21 August 2021 16:00 BST (UTC+1:00)

Wales U17	10 – 16†	England U17
Tries: Ackerman, Pritchard Goals: Walkley (1/2)	Report	Tries: Richards, Stephenson, Wood Goals: Gannon (2/3)

Stadiwm Zip World, Colwyn Bay Attendance: 710 Referee: James Jones (Wales)

---

Under-20 International

4 September 2021 12:00 BST (UTC+1:00)

Scotland U20	37 – 30†	Ireland U20
Tries: Anderson-Moore (2), Paladino (2), Crossley, Young Goals: Anderson-Moore (6/6) Drop goals: Anderson-Moore	Report	Tries: Creaby, Kiernan, Walsh, Lynch, L. Hayes Goals: C. Hayes (5/5)

Kings Park, Dalkeith

---

Under-20 International

11 September 2021 11:45 BST (UTC+1:00)

England U20	48 – 22†	Scotland U20
Tries: McCurrie (4), Openshaw (2), Ennis, Gibson, O'Connor, Stephenson Goals: Openshaw (4/5), O'Connor (0/2), O'Loughlin (0/2), Simpson (0/1)	Report	Tries: Cullen (2), Anderson-Moore, Terrill Goals: Anderson-Moore (3/4)

Twist Lane, Leigh Referee: Alan Billington (England)

---

Under-20 International

25 September 2021 13:00 BST (UTC+1:00)

Ireland U20	12 – 38†	England U20
Tries: McKiernan, Lynch Goals: Crampton (2/2)	Report	Tries: Gibson, Grainey, Ennis, Darby, Nash, Openshaw, McCurrie Goals: Openshaw (4/5), Kellett (1/2)

Morton Stadium, Santry Referee: Fiona McConn (Ireland)

---

25 September 2021 16:00 BST (UTC+1:00)

Ireland Club XIII	18 – 64†	England Community Lions U23
Tries: Walsh (2), Kennerson Goals: Marmion (3/3)	Report	Tries: Kelly (3), Sowerby (3), Brock, Badrock, McShane, Oliver, Teare, Lewthwaite, Selby Goals: McMahon (5/11), Teare (1/2)

Morton Stadium, Santry Referee: Eamonn Whelan (Ireland)

See also

• Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on rugby league

References

1. "Cook Islands rise 17 places in latest Rugby League World Rankings". Rugby League International Federation. 13 July 2019.
2. "Cook Islands rise 17 places in latest Rugby League World Rankings". Rugby League International Federation. 13 July 2019.
3. "Brasil Rugby League announces new coach, fixture". Latin Heat Rugby League. Latin Heat Rugby League. 30 September 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
4. "Confirmed for March 2021. Flag of El Salvador vs Flag of Peru, fixture". Twitter. Chasingroospod. 22 November 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
5. "First test match of 2021 goes ahead". European Rugby League. 5 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
6. "Bosnia & Herzegovina 4 Serbia 50 - Report". Chasing Roos. 7 June 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
7. "Brazil to meet Philippines in June International Match". International Rugby League. 2 May 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
8. "Three England teams to make history in mid-season internationals triple bill". rugby-league.com. 16 March 2021.
9. "Fixture/Results". Nederlandse Rugby League Bond. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
10. "Squads Announced For Rugby League Euro B Championship". European Rugby League. 29 September 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
11. "Serbia vs. Ukraine - Rugby League Project".
12. "Czech Republic vs. Malta - Czech Republic 40 def. Malta 16".
13. "Turkey vs. The Netherlands - Turkey 18 lost to the Netherlands 40".
14. "Czech Republic 10 v 36 Netherlands". europeanrugbyleague.com. European Rugby League. 17 October 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
15. "SUITE OF RUGBY LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL FIXTURES CONFIRMED". europeanrugbyleague.com. European Rugby League. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
16. "'That's the end goal': Macedonia tick off first-ever game as they set their sights on 2025 World Cup". 13 December 2021.
17. Walter, Brad (21 April 2021). "'It means a lot': Turkey looking forward to Anzac Day match at SCG". NRL.com. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
18. "England to face Combined Nations All Stars in June in Shaun Wane's first match". BBC. 16 March 2021.