The match officials for the start of the wheelchair Rugby League World Cup on Thursday have been confirmed.

Eight sides will fight it out for the right to be world champions, with the action starting with a mouth-watering double header at the Copper Box in London.

Laurent Abrial is the attack referee for the opener with Kim Abel monitoring defence and Matthew Ball and David Roig taking on the in goal duties. 

Hosts England kickstart their competition in the night's second match against rivals Australia with Ollie Cruickshank the attack referee as Roig shifts to defence and Abel joins Steve Hewson on in goal.

The remaining four sides in the tournament get their campaigns started with another eye-catching double header in Sheffield on Friday.

Up first at the English Institute of Sport are France and Wales with David Butler in place as attack referee, Ball on defence and Grant Jackson and Hewson in goal.

The second match pits Scotland against USA with Jackson shifting focus to attack with Hewson taking on defence duties and Cruickshank and Ball operating the in goal.

Thursday 3 November

Spain v Ireland, Copper Box Arena, London, 5pm 

Attack referee: Laurent Abrial 

Defence referee: Kim Abel

In goal: Matthew Ball 

In goal: David Roig 

Reserve referee: Ollie Cruickshank 

England v Australia, Copper Box Arena, London, 7.30pm

Attack referee: Ollie Cruickshank  

Defence referee: David Roig 

In goal: Kim Abel

In goal: Steve Hewson

Reserve referee: Laurent Abrial

Friday 4 November

France v Wales, EIS Sheffield, 11am

Attack referee: David Butler  

Defence referee: Matthew Ball 

In goal: Laurent Abrial

In goal: Grant Jackson

Reserve referee: Steve Hewson

Scotland v USA, EIS Sheffield, 1.30pm

Attack referee: Grant Jackson

Defence referee: Steve Hewson

In goal: Ollie Cruickshank

In goal: Matthew Ball

Reserve referee: David Butler

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