World Club Challenge: St George Illawarra Dragons to participate in next year's series
Wednesday 8 October 2014 13:14, UK
NRL's St George Illawarra Dragons have accepted their invitation to participate in the 2015 World Club Series.
The Dragons join NRL rivals South Sydney and Brisbane Broncos in the expanded World Club Challenge, which will be played in the north-west of England over the weekend of February 20-22.
Souths were confirmed before they won the NRL Grand Final on Sunday and they will meet the winners of Saturday's Super League title decider at Old Trafford between Wigan and St Helens in the 2015 World Club Challenge.
Not only will the World Club series pit club and against club, but the Super League against the NRL in a fascinating competition between two leagues and two hemispheres.
The losers, along with Super League's third-ranked team Warrington, will take on the Broncos and Dragons in the build-up to the World Club Challenge, although the final fixtures have yet to be determined.
“Having tasted success in the 2011 World Club Challenge, it is fitting the Dragons are the third representative from the NRL," said Super League general manager Blake Solly.
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"The Dragons have a unique place in the history of the sport and Super League fans will look forward to seeing them in the series.
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“With the Wigan Warriors, St Helens and Warrington Wolves confirmed as Super League’s participating clubs, excitement is already building for the Series.
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“Not only will the World Club series pit club against club, but the Super League against the NRL in a fascinating competition between two leagues and two hemispheres.”
St George Illawarra, who boast England stand-off Gareth Widdop and former Warrington prop Mike Cooper among their ranks, won the World Club Challenge in 2011 with a 21-15 victory over Wigan at the DW Stadium.
“The World Club Series is a great concept and something that our Club has been an advocate of for some time,” said Dragons CEO Peter Doust.
“We are delighted to have been invited by the Super League and look forward to this inaugural event.”
