Offer made for a blockbuster cross-code match

A PROPOSAL for England's rugby union and rugby league sides to face each other in a blockbuster hybrid match is being considered by the Rugby Football League, according to The i.

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The RFL has received an extraordinary £1.5m offer from Australian promoters to stage an exhibition match between the two England national teams in 2026 - a fixture that could take place at either Twickenham or Wembley and revive interest in rugby league, which continues to battle financial strain in the UK.

The proposal comes from Hybrid Rugby, an Australian company chaired by Paul Franks, with backing from influential NRL figures and well-known rugby league personalities in Britain.

Franks visited the UK in November, even meeting at least one Super League club about staging hybrid games between league and Premiership rugby sides.

Rugby League Commercial managing director Rhodri Jones confirmed the approach had been made.