Editorial: Mike Parsons takes us through what is about to unfold...

THEY are coming from far and wide. To fill our hearts with wonder and pride.

Yes, the Rugby League World Cup is finally here – quite literally!

Over the next month, the greatest players in the world will be gracing fields and communities on our very doorstep as well as in more of the sport’s heartland cities and towns across England.

Neighbouring Warrington, St Helens, Leigh, Wigan, Bolton, Liverpool and Manchester all have a major part to play in what is set to be a magnificent spectacle, albeit one that has been delayed 12 months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

RLWC2021 is a breakthrough moment in the tournament’s history with the men’s, women’s and wheelchair competitions being staged together for the first time, and organisers state it will be the most visible rugby league event in history too.

Sixteen nations from both hemispheres will contest the three main competitions – that’s 61 matches across 21 venues which will all be broadcast live by the BBC, starting with two opening group games this Saturday and running through to a World Cup Final double-header at Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium on November 19.

And running alongside all of this will be the Physical Disability Rugby League World Cup, being staged in its entirety in Warrington.

This all means millions of eyes across the globe will be on our local towns and cities not only for the matches being played but for the hospitality shown to the national sides being based in our communities for the duration of the event.

St Helens will share hosting responsibilities with Liverpool for the Tonga and Italy teams, while the Saints’ Totally Wicked Stadium will stage three men’s group games – the first of which will be a highly anticipated humdinger of a battle between tournament darkhorses Tonga and Papua New Guinea on Tuesday, October 18, kick-off 7.30pm.

Meanwhile, Warrington Wolves’ Halliwell Jones Stadium will be in the spotlight for three men’s group games and a men's quarter final, with an explosive contest expected to kick things off when New Zealand face Lebanon this coming Sunday, kick-off 7.30pm.

Warrington will also be home to the Papua New Guinea men’s team for their time in the competition.

Just down the road, the focus will be on Leigh Sports Village for three men’s group games, including an intriguing looking duel between Wales and Cook Islands for openers on Wednesday, October 19, kick-off 7.30pm.

The town will also play host to the Lebanon squad, while in the same borough Wigan’s DW Stadium will stage a double-header fixture featuring an England women's group game and a men's tournament quarter-final.

Bolton has staged some huge rugby league events, including Challenge Cup semi-finals and World Club Challenge deciders, and they join the party for the World Cup by being the team base for France and providing the venue for their meeting with home nation England at the University of Bolton Stadium for what is likely to be a keenly fought encounter between Europe’s top two.

There is real excitement in the air about what is to transpire on the field of play.

In the men’s competition, the emergence of Tonga and Samoa as challengers to the traditional top three of Australia, New Zealand and England leaves the title hunt wide open.

The women’s game on both sides of the world is blooming and the England girls will be hoping to make full use of home soil and support to upset favourites Australia and their nearest rivals New Zealand, while in the wheelchair competition it is England and France who have led the way but can they continue to stave off the chasing pack in another area of the sport that is enjoying a significant growth spurt.

It is not just the match action which sets this event apart, though.

Pre-kick off ceremonial performances and stand-offs, also traditionally known as war dances, by the players - such as The Haka by the Kiwis and the Sipi Tau by the Tongans - can be a highlight of these occasions as the crowds hold breath before roaring on the cut-throat action.

And after the players tear into each other for 80 minutes in this most gladiatorial of sports, the greatest of respect can often be seen as players from both teams come together and bow heads or kneel to say a prayer.

Professional rugby league players are among the most accessible and selfless sporting icons too, so selfies and autograph signing at pitchside after the final hooter will be commonplace and that will continue in the community too when squads visit the likes of schools and tourist attractions.

Also there's the legacy and how organisers have driven the tournament to attract funding for the benefit of the game's future and improving community facilities.

It all lends support to the wonder of the 2022 Rugby League World Cup being a memorable experience for all.

If you’ve not got tickets and wish to attend a game, visit rlwc2021.com/tickets for details.

Let the fun and games begin with England facing Samoa in the opening game of the men's tournament at Newcastle United's St James' Park this coming Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm.

***Watch out for more of our World Cup build-up content here as the week progresses and a free supplement inside this week's paper too***