The re-branding of England supports the RFL's and RLEF's strategy for the growth of the sport in the Northern Hemisphere. Such a vision for international development is vital to the future success of the sport. As mentioned earlier, the World Cup is a key part of this strategy. The tournament will be held every four years from 2013, with a four nations tournament held in intervening years (see 10-year plan summary on this page).
Of course the Great Britain name will not be forgotten. Players capped for the GB side will continue to receive the appropriate recognition for their past and future efforts and achievements on the world stage. And it is possible that a GB team could undertake an overseas tour some time from 2012 onwards. All this would provide a sound basis for an exciting international programme, winning new fans across the globe and leading to a bigger, better game.
| 2008 | Rugby League World Cup Down Under. |
| 2009 | Four Nations Tournament including Australia, England, France and New Zealand to be held in the Northern Hemisphere. Also Pacific Cup tournament including Cook Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tonga plus European Nations Cup in Northern Hemisphere. |
| 2010 | Four Nations Tournament to be held in the Southern Hemisphere. |
| 2011 | Four Nations Tournament to be held in the Northern Hemisphere plus World Cup Qualifiers. |
| 2012 | Great Britain Lions Tour Down Under plus World Cup Qualifiers. |
| 2013 | Rugby League World Cup in the UK. |
| 2016 | European Nations Cup in Northern Hemisphere. |
| 2017 | Rugby League World Cup in the Southern Hemisphere. |
