England Knights are set to tour Papua New Guinea as part of a Test series against the Kumuls.
League Express can reveal that the RFL is finalising the details for an end-of-season tour that will see the Knights go head-to-head with PNG in a two-Test series.
It’s believed the two fixtures will take place in the country’s two biggest cities, Lae and the capital Port Moresby, where PNG captured the imagination of the Rugby League world during the recent World Cup.
The Knights, coached by Paul Anderson, will head to Australia for a training camp ahead of the series before travelling to PNG in November, should the tour come to fruition.
It had previously been suggested the Knights would participate in a Six Nations style competition alongside France, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
However, Kevin Sinfield, the RFL’s rugby director, confirmed to League Express that would not happen.
Instead, a Euro Nations competition will see the remaining home nations compete in a round-robin competition alongside France at the end of the current season.
When asked about plans for the Knights, Sinfield said: “There are no plans at this stage for England or England Knights to compete in a Six Nations.
“What I will say is that we are very close to agreeing some Knights fixtures, but until the contract is signed I think it would be pretty foolish for us to announce anything.
“It’s been a lengthy process but we have to make sure it is right. I’d like to think very, very shortly they will be announced.”
