Scotland Rugby League will host the 2021 Celtic Cup at The University of Edinburgh’s Sport & Exercise Pleasance facility on Saturday 12th June, having postponed the 2020 tournament due to COVID-19. The Wheelchair Rugby League Celtic Cup is an annual tournament played between Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
Ollie Cruickshank, Scotland Rugby League Operations Director said:
It is great to have the Wheelchair Rugby League Celtic Cup back in Scotland and we are looking forward to hosting Wales and Ireland in Edinburgh. We would like to thank International Rugby League for sanctioning the Celtic Cup for the first time in the tournament’s history. It is great to see wheelchair rugby league getting recognised and this can only help with the visibility and development of the sport.
Scotland head into this year’s Celtic Cup looking towards the 2021 Rugby League World Cup in November and making sure their squad will be as fully prepared as possible. Scotland Head Coach Mark Roughsedge said:
As you can imagine our preparations have been far from ideal. Having the Celtic Cup date in the diary will allow us to focus and channel our efforts into what will be a huge opportunity for ourselves and Wales to prepare for the World Cup. It will play an even more significant role than ever and it will also allow us to really understand where we are at currently and how that will influence our preparations moving forward.
Wales are the current holders of the Celtic Cup since joining in 2016 and will be aiming for their 5th title. Wales Head Coach Steve Jones said:
Seeing the Celtic Cup back on the international calendar is the boost our sport needed after 2020 was a washout. The Welsh team are looking forward to playing both Scotland and Ireland in June in what should be a superb competition. With 2021 being a World Cup year it will give players a chance to show what they can do ahead of selection.
Ireland with a new coaching team will be looking to make their mark on the tournament. Ireland Assistant Coach Dave Abel said:
We are glad to be a part of this tournament our players will be glad of some game time especially with the previous year we have had, hopefully all three teams will be able to showcase the wheelchair rugby league sport and show what great things are to come with the World Cup in November.
The 2021 Wheelchair Rugby League Celtic Cup fixtures are:
Scotland v Ireland – 10:30
Wales v Ireland – 12:30
Scotland v Wales – 14:30
This is the year of the Rugby League World Cup 2021
The Rugby League World Cup is taking place between the 23 October – 27 November this autumn and is the pinnacle of international Rugby League, globally contested every four years. RLWC2021 will be a breakthrough moment in the tournament’s history with the men’s, women’s and wheelchair competitions being staged together for the first time.
The three tournaments will take place in 21 venues across 18 host towns and cities in England. Both the women’s and wheelchair competitions will be contested by two groups of four teams, whilst the men’s tournament will see 16 teams compete across four groups.
RLWC2021 will be the most visible Rugby League event in history with all 61 games in the men’s, women’s and wheelchair competitions being broadcast live on the BBC.
Mission: Delivering the biggest and best ever Rugby League World Cup.
Vision: Creating inspirational moments that excite, engage and leave a long-lasting positive social impact.
