By Paul Martin

Grant Atkins will be the man in the middle as reigning men’s Rugby League World Cup champions Australia kick off the second round of group matches against Scotland in Coventry on Friday.

Mal Meninga’s side began their campaign with a 42-8 win over Fiji, in which Atkins was the video referee, and can put one foot in the knockout stages with another victory against a Scotland side hoping for an improved display following defeat against Italy last time out.

Italy are looking to take that momentum into Saturday’s clash with Fiji, which will be overseen by Jack Smith.

READ MORE: Hat-trick hero Jake Maizen reflects on Italy's win over Scotland

Smith ran the line during the tournament opener last weekend, England’s 60-6 win over Samoa at St James’ Park, and returns to Newcastle to take the whistle for the pivotal Group B clash at Kingston Park.

Hosts England are bidding to make it two from two when they take on France in Group A and Gerard Sutton will take charge at the University of Bolton Stadium on Saturday, with James Child in position for Samoa’s battle with Greece at Doncaster’s Eco-Power Stadium the following day.

In Group C, Marcus Griffiths will be in control as New Zealand go up against Jamaica at the MKM Stadium in Hull on Saturday evening.

The Kiwis overcame Lebanon in their opening fixture and Michael Cheika’s side are aiming to bounce back against Ireland on Sunday in a match which will be refereed by Adam Gee.

READ MORE: Five things we learned from New Zealand's win over Lebanon

Tonga and Wales go head-to-head under the lights at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Monday night, when Kasey Badger will have the whistle, and the second round of fixtures concludes the following evening when Chris Kendall oversees Papua New Guinea against Cook Islands at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington.

Match Official appointments – round two

Friday 21 October

Australia v Scotland, Coventry Building Society, Coventry, 7.30pm

Referee: Grant Atkins

Touch Judges: Kasey Badger and Warren Turley

Reserve Referee: Neil Horton

Video Ref: James Child

Saturday 22 October

Fiji v Italy, Kingston Park, Newcastle, 2.30pm

Referee: Jack Smith

Touch Judges: Darian Furner and James Vella

Reserve Referee: Paki Parkinson

Video Ref: Tom Grant

England v France, University of Bolton Stadium, Bolton, 5pm

Referee: Gerard Sutton

Touch Judges: Liam Moore and Todd Smith

Reserve Referee: Geoffrey Poumes

Video Ref: Robert Hicks

New Zealand v Jamaica, MKM Stadium, Hull, 7.30pm

Referee: Marcus Griffiths

Touch Judges: Belinda Sharpe and Aaron Moore

Reserve Referee: Ben Casty

Video Ref: Chris Kendall

Sunday 23 October

Lebanon v Ireland, Leigh Sports Village, Leigh, 2.30pm

Referee: Adam Gee

Touch Judges: Tom Grant and Warren Turley

Reserve Referee: Ben Thaler

Video Ref: Ashley Klein

Samoa v Greece, Eco-Power Stadium, Doncaster, 5pm

Referee: James Child

Touch Judges: Liam Rush and Robert Hicks

Reserve Referee: Gerard Sutton

Video Ref: Grant Atkins

Monday 24 October

Tonga v Wales, Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens, 7.30pm

Referee: Kasey Badger

Touch Judges: Mike Smaill and Rochelle Tamarua

Reserve Referee: Liam Moore

Video Ref: Adam Gee

Tuesday 25 October

Papua New Guina v Cook Islands, Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington, 7.30pm

Referee: Chris Kendall

Touch Judges: Wyatt Raymond and Paki Parkinson

Reserve Referee: Ashley Klein

Video Ref: Liam Moore

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