Nations Cup to be played at Wilderspool

England's Wilderspool Stadium has been chosen to host the final of the inaugural European Nations Cup on Sunday, November 16.

The tournament, which is being hosted and organised by the Rugby Football League on behalf of the European Federation, will consist of seven matches and will be staged in five different countries at the end of the season.

The competing nations are England A, France, Ireland, Russia, Scotland and Wales, who will play in two groups, with the group winners contesting the final.

The competition, which gets under way on October 26, is being held at the same time as the Ashes Series, with Great Britain having first call on Wales and Ireland players.

That means, for example, that Leeds prop Barrie McDermott will not be available for Ireland and St Helens hooker Keiron Cunningham is unlikely to lead Wales.