The Rugby League World Cup is just days away, with Round 1 of the men’s tournament kicking off with eight games in four days across England. 

The world’s best players have descended on England where they have been joined by the globe’s top referees, with the match officials for the opening round of games now confirmed. 

Ashley Klein will oversee proceedings at St James’ Park on Saturday, as hosts England take on Samoa in the opener.

It is sure to be a fierce battle between two well fancied sides and Klein will be assisted by touch judges Jack Smith and Warren Turley in Newcastle. 

Saturday’s action continues in Leeds, where Chris Kendall is the man with the whistle at Headingley as Australia take on Fiji in Group B. 

Defending champions Australia will be prepared for a tough test against a Fiji side who they beat in the 2017 semi-finals, and Kendall will be joined by touch judges Wyatt Raymond and Darian Furner.

There is more action in the North East on Sunday, as Scotland face Italy in Group B at Newcastle’s Kingston Park with Gerard Sutton the man in the middle for that one. 

RLWC2021 can today confirm its team of Match Officials for the Men's, Women's and Wheelchair tournaments.

See the full list of officials who will officiate across all three competitions: https://t.co/5GSY8kSenF#RLWC2021 pic.twitter.com/0hscmgehwE
— Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) October 5, 2022

He’ll be flanked by touch judges Paki Parkinson and Marcus Griffiths as both sides look to get their campaign off to a flyer with a crucial win.

It’s then back to Headingley, where Ben Casty will be overseeing the action as Jamaica take on Ireland in Group C. 
He’ll be supported by Geoffrey Poumes and Neil Horton on the touchlines as the Reggae Warriors make their debut at the Rugby League World Cup. 

New Zealand and Lebanon round off a bumper day of action on Sunday night in Warrington.
Grant Atkins will referee this one as the No.1 side in the world get their tournament up and running with Tom Grant and Dean Bowmer acting as touch judges. 

The remaining two sides in Group A get underway on Monday in Doncaster, with Adam Gee in charge at the Eco-Power Stadium as France take on Greece. 

Gee, who refereed the women’s 2017 Rugby League World Cup final, will have Kasey Badger and James Vella as his touch judges for Greece’s maiden appearance at a Rugby League World Cup.

Tuesday then sees Group D start up at the Totally Wicked Stadium in St Helens, as 2017 semi-finalists Tonga take on Papua New Guinea.

Liam Moore will run the rule over that clash, with Belinda Sharpe and James Child the touch judges assigned.

And Round 1 wraps up on Wednesday with Wales against The Cook Islands at Leigh Sports Village, where Robert Hicks will have the whistle. 

He’ll be assisted by touch judges Rochelle Tamarua and Todd Smith as the Kuki’s make their return after missing the 2017 iteration.  

Saturday 15 October 

England v Samoa, St James Park, Newcastle, 2.30pm 

Referee: Ashley Klein 

Touch Judges: Jack Smith and Warren Turley 

Reserve Referee: Tom Grant 

Video Referee: Adam Gee 

Captain’s Challenge: Robert Hicks 

Australia v Fiji, Headingley Stadium, Leeds, 7.30pm 

Referee: Chris Kendall

Touch Judges: Wyatt Raymond and Darian Furner 

Reserve Referee: Rochelle Tamarua 

Video Referee: Grant Atkins 

Captain’s Challenge: James Vella 

Sunday 16 October 

Scotland v Italy, Kingston Park, Newcastle, 2.30pm 

Referee: Gerard Sutton 

Touch Judges: Paki Parkinson and Marcus Griffiths 

Reserve Referee: Belinda Sharpe 

Video Referee: Robert Hicks 

Captain’s Challenge: Ben Thaler 

Jamaica v Ireland, Headingley Stadium, Leeds, 5pm 

Referee: Ben Casty 

Touch Judges: Geoffrey Poumes and Neil Horton

Reserve Referee: Aaron Moore 

Video Referee: Ashley Klein 

Captain’s Challenge: James Child 

New Zealand v Lebanon, Halliwell Jones, Warrington, 7.30pm 

Referee: Grant Atkins 

Touch Judges: Tom Grant and Dean Bowmer 

Reserve Referee: Todd Smith 

Video Referee: Liam Moore 

Captain’s Challenge: Paki Parkinson 

Monday 17 October 

France v Greece, Eco-Power Stadium, Doncaster, 7.30pm 

Referee: Adam Gee

Touch Judges: Kasey Badger and James Vella 

Reserve Referee: Michael Smaill 

Video Referee: Gerard Sutton 

Captain’s Challenge: Liam Rush 

Tuesday 18 October

Tonga v Papua New Guinea, Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens, 7.30pm 

Match Driver: Marcus Griffiths 

Referee: Liam Moore 

Touch Judges: James Child and Belinda Sharpe 

Reserve Referee: Marcus Griffiths 

Video Referee: Ben Thaler 

Captain’s Challenge: Wyatt Raymond 

Wednesday 19 October 

Wales v Cook Islands, Leigh Sports Village, Leigh, 7.30pm 

Match Driver: Michael Smaill 

Referee: Robert Hicks 

Touch Judges: Rochelle Tamarua and Todd Smith 

Reserve Referee: Michael Smaill 

Video Referee: Tom Grant 

Captain’s Challenge: Darian Furner

The Rugby League World Cup promises to be the biggest, best and most inclusive event in the sport’s 127-year history with men’s, women’s and wheelchair teams competing in 61 games across 21 venues throughout England. Tickets are available via rlwc2021.com/tickets