INTERNATIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE · MEN’S TEAM

England national rugby league team

England Rugby League

England’s men’s national rugby league side played its first international in 1904. Its history overlaps with Great Britain’s, but their records must be kept distinct.

International beginnings: 1904 first international
First men’s World Cup: 1975 as England
World Cup record through 2022: Runners-up in 1975, 1995 and 2017

When did England’s team begin?

England faced Other Nationalities in the first international rugby league fixture in 1904. In much of the twentieth century, Great Britain represented players from the home nations on major tours and at World Cups. England entered the 1975 World Cup separately and became the regular World Cup representative from 1995. Great Britain’s World Cup titles should not be recorded as England titles.

Key milestones

1904 — England played Other Nationalities in the first international fixture.
1975 — England competed separately at the World Cup and finished runners-up.
1995 — England reached the World Cup final.
2017 — England again reached the final, losing 6–0 to Australia.

Understanding this team

England Men, England Women and England Wheelchair are separate national teams. A result or title for one does not automatically belong to the others. Historical references to the Great Britain Lions also require their own team label.

Sources and further reading

Profile researched: 24 October 2026. Dates distinguish representative-team origins from governing-body formation where the sources make that distinction.