England will host the 2021 Rugby League World Cup after being selected ahead of a rival bid from the United States and Canada.

It will be the biggest edition since 2000, with 16 teams and 31 matches.

England last hosted the competition in 2013, when Australia beat New Zealand 34-2 in the final at Old Trafford.

The Rugby Football League received £15m from central government to support its bid and plans to stage 80% of games in Lancashire and Yorkshire.

It also proposed "showpiece fixtures" in London, the Midlands and the north east of the country.

Rugby League World Cup final 2013
The 2013 final was held at Old Trafford - the home of Manchester United and the venue for the annual Super League Grand Final
A mixture of 12 rugby league and other sporting venues, including Manchester's Old Trafford and Wembley in the capital, are in line to host matches.

Had the American-Canadian joint bid been successful, it would have been the first time the competition had been held outside Australasia and Europe since it began in 1954.