Some of the world's most talented young rugby league players could be on their way to York.

The city is being seriously considered as a venue for one or two matches in this year's Student World Cup which will take place in October. The interest in York follows its successful involvement in the competition on two previous occasions - in 1989 when it was the base for the inaugural event and in 1996 when Huntington Stadium staged a group match between Western Samoa and Ireland.

David Oxley, chairman of the Student Rugby League, confirmed the possibility had been discussed at an SRL committee meeting this week. He said: "York is very much in our minds. There is a very good chance we will play one or two games at Huntington Stadium or Heworth in the knock-out stage of the competition.

"In 1989 the whole event was centred in York and we got good crowds. All the players stayed at the University and they loved it. Huntington hosted a game in 1996 which was also successful. Our thinking is that we would be made welcome in York. It's a good venue and a great city for them to visit."

The 'York 89' Student World Cup was a huge success when Heworth's Elmpark Way ground had the fans flocking in to watch four matches, including England v Australia and Ireland v Scotland.

The event has increased in size since then and 13 countries will be involved in this year's two-week competition which runs from October 3-18. The first week the teams will play group games in Paris, Dublin or Belfast and Cardiff. In the second week the surviving teams will move to Hull, selected to coincide with the city's 700th anniversary celebrations, where they will be based for the knockout stages.

It is during that week that York could be utilised for one or two matches in the lead up to the final at Hull Sharks' Boulevard stadium.

The countries taking part are England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Canada, South Africa, United States and Japan.

Oxley added: "It is a real international competition. The standard of rugby is very very high and the people of York will realise that."

More details are expected to be confirmed in the coming month when the SRL will hold a press conference to launch the event

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