# International rugby league in 2021

A list of men and women international rugby league matches played throughout 2021 and does not include wheelchair rugby league international matches. A † denotes a recognised, but unofficial match that did not contribute to the IRL World Rankings.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Championship B, European Championship C, European Championship D and Americas Championship were all initially postponed until 2021, however all were eventually abanonded except for the European Championship B and European Championship D due to travel restrictions.
2021 Rugby League World Cup was also postponed until 2022 due to Australia and New Zealand pulling out months before the tournament was scheduled to commence.

## Season overview

Men's international tours :
| Start date | Touring side | Region | Results [Matches] |
| 6 June 2021 | Serbia | Balkans | 4–0 [4] |
| Men's international friendlies ||||
| Start date | Home team | Away team | Winners |
| 28 February 2021 | Brazil | Uruguay | Brazil |
| 6 March 2021 | Peru | El Salvador | El Salvador |
| 13 June 2021 | Brazil | Philippines | Philippines |
| 2 October 2021 | Germany | Netherlands | Netherlands |
| 23 October 2021 | France | England | England |
| 24 October 2021 | Jamaica | Scotland | Draw |
| 19 December 2021 | North Macedonia | Vietnam | North Macedonia |
| Men's international tournaments ||||
| Start date | Tournament | Tournament | Winners |
| 3 October 2021 | European Championship B | European Championship B | Serbia |
| 14 October 2021 | European Championship D | European Championship D | Netherlands |
Women's international tours :
| Start date | Touring side | Region | Results [Matches] |
| No international women's tours in 2021 ||||
| Women's international friendlies ||||
| Start date | Home team | Away team | Winners |
| 25 June 2021 | England | Wales | England |
| 17 October 2021 | Wales | Ireland | Ireland |
| 23 October 2021 | France | England | England |
| Women's international tournaments ||||
| Start date | Tournament | Tournament | Winners |
| No international women's tournaments in 2021 ||||

## Rankings

The following were the rankings at the beginning of the season.
IRL Men's World Rankings :
| Official rankings as of 18 November 2019 ||||
| Rank | Change | Team | Points % |
| 1 | 2 | New Zealand | 100.00% |
| 2 | 1 | Australia | 91.82% |
| 3 | 1 | England | 85.34% |
| 4 | | Tonga | 60.66% |
| 5 | | Fiji | 36.57% |
| 6 | 4 | Papua New Guinea | 28.53% |
| 7 | | Samoa | 22.09% |
| 8 | 2 | France | 16.69% |
| 9 | 1 | Scotland | 15.00% |
| 10 | 1 | Lebanon | 11.81% |
| 11 | 5 | Greece | 11.38% |
| 12 | | Ireland | 11.36% |
| 13 | 1 | Italy | 7.86% |
| 14 | 3 | Wales | 7.75% |
| 15 | 4 | Serbia | 0.00% |
| 16 | 1 | Malta | 6.77% |
| 17 | 1 | Norway | 5.63% |
| 18 | 3 | United States | 5.39% |
| 19 | 4 | Poland | 5.35% |
| 20 | 7 | Jamaica | 5.04% |
| 21 | 1 | Hungary | 4.27% |
| 22 | 3 | Czech Republic | 4.16% |
| 23 | 5 | Cook Islands | 3.87% |
| 24 | 7 | Turkey | 3.51% |
| 25 | 1 | Netherlands | 3.29% |
| 26 | 4 | Spain | 3.18% |
| 27 | 6 | Canada | 2.81% |
| 28 | | Nigeria | 2.51% |
| 29 | 2 | Solomon Islands | 2.32% |
| 30 | 10 | Sweden | 2.16% |
| 31 | 4 | Germany | 1.95% |
| 32 | 1 | Chile | 1.86% |
| 33 | | Ghana | 1.80% |
| 34 | 16 | Morocco | 1.69% |
| 35 | 3 | Vanuatu | 1.47% |
| 36 | | South Africa | 1.46% |
| 37 | 8 | Russia | 1.41% |
| 38 | | Cameroon | 1.31% |
| 39 | 2 | Ukraine | 1.21% |
| 40 | 1 | Colombia | 1.06% |
| 41 | 4 | Brazil | 0.50% |
| 42 | | Belgium | 0.30% |
| 43 | 4 | Denmark | 0.13% |
| 44 | 4 | Bulgaria | 0.10% |
| 45 | 4 | Latvia | 0.07% |
| *Change from July 2019 ||||
| Complete rankings at INTRL.SPORT ||||
IRL Women's World Rankings :
| Official rankings as of 18 November 2019 ||||
| Rank | Change | Team | Points % |
| 1 | | Australia | |
| 2 | | New Zealand | |
| 3 | | England | |
| 4 | 2 | Papua New Guinea | |
| 5 | 1 | Canada | |
| 6 | 1 | France | |
| 7 | 2 | Cook Islands | |
| 8 | | Italy | |
| 9 | | Serbia | |
| 10 | | Fiji | |
| 11 | | Turkey | |
| 12 | | Samoa | |
| 13 | | Brazil | |
| 14 | 6 | Lebanon | |
| 15 | | Greece | |
| *Change from July 2019 ||||
| Complete rankings at INTRL.SPORT ||||

## February
### Brazil vs Uruguay men in Australia

* 28 February 2021
| Brazil | 60 – 0 | Uruguay |
| Tries: Nunes (3), Fleury (2), Campina, Levy, De Araujo, Hilberto, Jackson, Ricau Goals: Nunes (8/11) | | |
* Hillier Oval, Sydney Attendance: 300 Referee: Logan Neilsen (Australia)

## March
### Peru vs El Salvador men in Australia

* 6 March 2021 19:30 AEDT (UTC+11:00)
| Peru | 10 – 18 | El Salvador |
| Tries: Sommers (2) Goals: Altamirano (1/1), Parker (0/1) | | Tries: Kiwi Kiwi (2), Orellano, Maatouk Goals: Fernandez (1/3), Maatouk (0/1) |
* Waminda Oval, Sydney Attendance: 513 Referee: Matt Middleton (Australia)

## June
### Serbia men tour of the Balkans

* 6 June 2021 14:00 CEST (UTC+2:00)
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 4 – 50 | Serbia |
| Tries: Banovic Goals: Ljubanic (0/1) | Report (IRL) Report (ERL) Report (SRL) | Tries: Krnjeta (2), Nedeljkovic (2), Marinkovic, Jevdjic, Ilic, Popovic, Bibic Goals: Stojilkovic (6/7), Bibic (1/2) |
* NK Rijeka, Vitez Referee: Slobodan Manak (Serbia)
* 19 June 2021 14:00 CEST (UTC+2:00)
| Bulgaria | 16 – 28 | Serbia |
| Tries: Ivanov, Debreliev, Kostadinov Goals: Rasol (2/3) | Report (IRL) Report (ERL) Report (SRL) | Tries: Ilic (2), Mladenovic (2), Krnjeta Goals: Stojiljkovic (4/6) |
* FC Trebich, Sofia Referee: Slobodan Manak (Serbia)
* 27 June 2021 18:30 CEST (UTC+2:00)
| Montenegro | 16 – 24 | Serbia |
| Tries: Kusic (3) Goals: Popovic (2/3) | Report (IRL) Report (ERL) Report (SRL) | Tries: Zivojinovic (2), Krnjeta (2), Bibic Goals: Arnold (2/2), Bibic (0/2), Djordjevic (0/1) |
* FK Arsenal Stadium, Tivat Referee: Slobodan Manak (Serbia)
* 4 July 2021 14:00 CEST (UTC+2:00)
| Albania | 12 – 22 | Serbia |
| Tries: Cela, Tushaj Goals: Gucaj (2/2) | Report (SRL) | Tries: Jevdjić (2), Arnold, Živojinović Goals: Simovic (3/4) |
* Kompleksi Zmijani, Shkodra Attendance: 100 Referee: Slobodan Manak (Serbia)

### Brazil vs Philippines men in Australia

* 13 June 2021 15:00 AEST (UTC+10:00)
| Brazil | 8 – 40 | Philippines |
| Tries: Guzzo (2) | Report | Tries: Tootell (2), Stephenson, Cartwright, Sheedy, Jones, Phillips, Godfrey Goals: Russell (3), Cartwright |
* Kensington Oval, Sydney

### Wales women in England

* 25 June 2021 18:00 BST (UTC+01:00)
| England | 60 – 0 | Wales |
| Tries: Rudge (2), Roberts, Jones, Cunningham, Hoyle, Goldthorp, Roche, Beevers, Wilson, Dodd Goals: Stanley (6/7), Stott (2/4) | Report (ERL) Report (RFL) Highlights | |
* Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington Attendance: ≈4,000 Referee: Aaron Moore (England)

## October
### Netherlands men in Germany

* 2 October 2021 16:00 CEST (UTC+2:00)
| Germany | 16 – 48 | Netherlands |
| Tries: Amefia, Heinrichsen, Ngondi Goals: Amefia (1/1), Doughton (1/1), Seelweger (0/1) | Report | Tries: Schoenmaker (3), Schultz (2), Dirkzwager, Ngirubiu, Longhurst, Neves, Wilce Goals: Idzerda (3/5), Thomson (1/4) |
* Düsseldorf Rugby Club, Dusseldorf Referee: Moray Gilland (Belgium)

### European Championship B

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Serbia | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 120 | 28 | +92 | 4 | Promotion to 2023 European Championship A |
| 2 | Ukraine | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 114 | 72 | +42 | 2 | |
| 3 | Russia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 28 | 162 | −134 | 0 | |
* 3 October 2021 14:00 CEST (UTC+2:00)
| Serbia | 66–10 | Russia |
| Tries: Djordjević (3), Arsić (2), Vl. Dedić (2), Pavlović (2), Bibić, Djurić, D. Janković, Trifunović Goals: Jašari (7/13) | Report (IRL) Report (ERL) Report (SRL) | Tries: Egorov, Sazonov Goals: Vabishchevich (1/2) |
* City Stadium, Paraćin Attendance: ≈500 Referee: Stephane Vincent (France)
* 6 October 2021 13:00 CEST (UTC+2:00)
| Russia | 18–96 | Ukraine |
| Tries: Chuprin, Troitskii, Vabishchevich Goals: Vabishchevich (3/3) | Report (IRL) Report (ERL) | Tries: Skorbach (4), Adamyk (2), Hrankovskyi (2), Kolesnik (2), Kozak (2), Trusov (2), Beznoshchuk, Puchkov, Shcherbyna, Troyan Goals: Skorbach (12/17), Beznoshchuk (0/1) |
* FK Heroj Polet [sr], Belgrade Referee: James Jones (Wales)
* 9 October 2021 14:00 CEST (UTC+2:00)
| Ukraine | 18–54 | Serbia |
| Tries: Hrankovskyi (2), Shcherbyna Goals: Skorbach (3/3) | Report (IRL) Report (ERL) | Tries: Trifunović (3), Milutinović (3), Arsić, Vl. Dedić, Stevanović, Zogović Goals: Jašari (7/10), Vo. Dedić (0/1) |
* FK Heroj Polet [sr], Belgrade Attendance: ≈150 Referee: Andrew Pilkington (Spain)

### European Championship D

* 14 October 2021 13:00 CET (UTC+1:00)
| Malta | 16–40 | Czech Republic |
| Tries: Scholey, Barlogio, Galea Goals: Galea (2/3) | Report (IRL) Report (ERL) | Tries: Bělohlávek, Preininger, Řičica (2), Hudrlík (2), Horák Goals: Hudrlík (6/7) |
* Huseyin Akar Tesisler Stadium, Bodrum Attendance: 500 Referee: Aris Dardamanis (Greece)
* 14 October 2021 15:30 CET (UTC+1:00)
| Netherlands | 40–18 | Turkey |
| Tries: Shoenmake (2), Ngirubiu, Farrell (2), Renac Goals: Idzera (8/8) | Report (IRL) Report (ERL) | Tries: Demir, Ertürk, Çeliktutan Goals: Bayram (3/3) |
* Huseyin Akar Tesisler Stadium, Bodrum Attendance: 500 Referee: Eamonn Whelan (Ireland)
* 17 October 2021 13:00 CET (UTC+1:00)
| Malta | 12–36 | Turkey |
| Tries: Zammit, Cutajar Goals: Galea (2/2) | Report (IRL) Report (ERL) | Tries: Demir, Işik, Çeliktutan, Bayram, Balçin, Tayyar Berktav, Tirendez Goals: Bayram (4/7) |
* Huseyin Akar Tesisler Stadium, Bodrum Referee: Jarda Bzoch (Czechia)
* 17 October 2021 15:30 CET (UTC+1:00)
| Czech Republic | 10–36 | Netherlands |
| Tries: Veselý, Kasík Goals: Veselý (1/2) | Report (IRL) Report (ERL) | Tries: Schoenmaker (3), Lavia, Razoux Schultz, De Ruiter Goals: Idzera (6/9) |
* Huseyin Akar Tesisler Stadium, Bodrum Referee: Eamonn Whelan (Ireland)
* ↑ Netherlands promoted to the 2023 European Championship B as well as progressing to the qualifying tournament for the 2025 Rugby League World Cup.

### Ireland women in Wales

* 17 October 2021 15:00 BST (UTC+1:00)
| Wales | 24 – 26 | Ireland |
| Tries: Lewis (3), Norkett (2), Michael Goals: Lewis (0/5), Salter (0/1) | Report (ERL) Report (RFL) Highlights | Tries: Lambert, Greenwood, Cobain, McGuinness, Dunne Goals: Pua (2/3), McGuinness (1/1), Birchall (0/1) |
* Stadiwm Zip World, Colwyn Bay Referee: Luke Fenton (Scotland)

### England women in France

* 23 October 2021 13:00 CEST (UTC+2:00)
| France | 4 – 40 | England |
| Tries: Bianchini Goals: Ciria (0/1) | Report (ERL) Report (RFL) Video Replay Highlights | Tries: Rudge (2), Hardcastle, Whitfield, Cunningham, Stanley, Beevers Goals: Stanley (5/6), Stott (1/1) |
* Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan Attendance: ≈2,000 Referee: Andrew Pilkington

### England men in France

* 23 October 2021 15:30 CEST (UTC+2:00)
| France | 10 – 30 | England |
| Tries: Le Cam, Sangaré Goals: Kheirallah (1/2) | Report (ERL) Report (RFL) | Tries: Makinson (2), Bateman (2), Farrell, Davies Goals: Abdull (3/6) |
* Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan Attendance: ≈5,500 Referee: Ben Casty (France)

### Jamaica vs Scotland men in England

* 24 October 2021 15:00 BST (UTC+1:00)
| Jamaica | 30 – 30 | Scotland |
| Tries: Jones Bishop (2), Coleman, J. Brown, Andrade, A. Brown Goals: Farrell (3/5) | Report (IRL) Report (ERL) | Tries: Emslie (2), Oakes, Hellewell, Ferguson Goals: Walmsley (5/5) |
* Millennium Stadium, Featherstone Referee: James Jones (Wales)

## December
### North Macedonia vs Vietnam men in Australia

* 19 December 2021 15:00 AEDT (UTC+11:00)
| North Macedonia | 58 – 0 | Vietnam |
* Leichhardt Oval, Sydney

## Non-IRL international matches

* 25 April 2021 13:50 AEST (UTC+10:00)
| Australian Defence Force | 46 – 0† | Turkey |
| Tries: Simington (2), Tabuai (2), Mason, McGregor, Munro, Rutley, Walton Goals: Munro (4/7), Walton (1/2) | Report (NRL) | |
* Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Notes:
* This match was a curtain raiser to an NRL fixture between the Sydney Roosters and the St. George Illawarra Dragons.
* 25 June 2021 20:15 BST (UTC+01:00)
| England | 24 – 26† | Combined Nations All Stars |
| Tries: Farrell (2), Knowles, Davies Goals: Ratchford (4/4) | Report (Sky Sports) Report (BBC) | Tries: Sio (2), Mata'utia, McGillvary Goals: Sezer (5/6) |
* Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington Attendance: ≈4,000 Referee: James Child (England)
* 15 October 2021 19:00 BST (UTC+1:00)
| Jamaica | 4 – 56† | England Knights |
| Tries: Jones-Bishop | Report (ERL) Report (RFL) | Tries: Broadbent (2), Walker, Pryce, Smith (2), Longstaff, Ashton (2), Wrench Goals: Pryce (7) |
* Mend-A-Hose Jungle, Castleford Attendance: ≈2,250 Referee: James Child (England)

## Youth test matches

* 21 August 2021 18:00 CEST (UTC+2:00)
| Serbia U20 | 46 – 4† | Czech Republic U20 |
| Tries: Simovic (2), Krnjeta (2) L. Ilic, U. Ilic, Svanidze, N. Mladenovic, A. Mladenovic Goals: Stojilkovic (3/7), Simovic (2/3) | Report | Tries: Tichy Goals: Hudrlik (0/1) |
* SC Inge, Belgrade Attendance: 150
* 22 August 2021 14:00 BST (UTC+1:00)
| Wales U16 | 18 – 34† | England U16 |
| Tries: Hanson, Morris, Morgan, Farmer-Gratton Goals: Morgan (1/4) | Report | Tries: Billy (2), S. Egan (2), Welburn, J. Egan, Joseph Goals: Whitford (1/4), Cooper (2/3) |
* Stadiwm Zip World, Colwyn Bay Attendance: 710 Referee: Rob Apsee (Wales)
* 21 August 2021 16:00 BST (UTC+1:00)
| Wales U17 | 10 – 16† | England U17 |
| Tries: Ackerman, Pritchard Goals: Walkley (1/2) | Report | Tries: Richards, Stephenson, Wood Goals: Gannon (2/3) |
* Stadiwm Zip World, Colwyn Bay Attendance: 710 Referee: James Jones (Wales)
* 4 September 2021 12:00 BST (UTC+1:00)
| Scotland U20 | 37 – 30† | Ireland U20 |
| Tries: Anderson-Moore (2), Paladino (2), Crossley, Young Goals: Anderson-Moore (6/6) Drop goals: Anderson-Moore | Report | Tries: Creaby, Kiernan, Walsh, Lynch, L. Hayes Goals: C. Hayes (5/5) |
* Kings Park, Dalkeith
* 11 September 2021 11:45 BST (UTC+1:00)
| England U20 | 48 – 22† | Scotland U20 |
| Tries: McCurrie (4), Openshaw (2), Ennis, Gibson, O'Connor, Stephenson Goals: Openshaw (4/5), O'Connor (0/2), O'Loughlin (0/2), Simpson (0/1) | Report | Tries: Cullen (2), Anderson-Moore, Terrill Goals: Anderson-Moore (3/4) |
* Twist Lane, Leigh Referee: Alan Billington (England)
* 25 September 2021 13:00 BST (UTC+1:00)
| Ireland U20 | 12 – 38† | England U20 |
| Tries: McKiernan, Lynch Goals: Crampton (2/2) | Report | Tries: Gibson, Grainey, Ennis, Darby, Nash, Openshaw, McCurrie Goals: Openshaw (4/5), Kellett (1/2) |
* Morton Stadium, Santry Referee: Fiona McConn (Ireland)
* 25 September 2021 16:00 BST (UTC+1:00)
| Ireland Club XIII | 18 – 64† | England Community Lions U23 |
| Tries: Walsh (2), Kennerson Goals: Marmion (3/3) | Report | Tries: Kelly (3), Sowerby (3), Brock, Badrock, McShane, Oliver, Teare, Lewthwaite, Selby Goals: McMahon (5/11), Teare (1/2) |
* Morton Stadium, Santry Referee: Eamonn Whelan (Ireland)