Parliamentary Rugby League Group encourages fans to pay respects on eve of Challenge Cup Final

The Parliamentary Rugby League Group is to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph in remembrance of those involved in rugby league who have given the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.

The Group will be joined by representatives from Challenge Cup Finalists Leeds Rhinos and Hull Kingston Rovers, Great Britain Armed Forces Rugby League, the RFL, and the Royal British Legion.

The ceremony will start when Big Ben signals 11 o’clock on Friday 28 August, the eve of the Challenge Cup Final.

It is the second year the ceremony will take place, having been restored in 2014 as part of Challenge Cup Final weekend tradition, and last year drew significant a significant crowd eager to show its support to the Armed Services.

It is anticipated this year’s event will be even larger with as rugby league fans flock to the capital and cup final ticket sales approaching Wembley Stadium’s capacity.

The Group will be represented by its Chairman, Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland who called on the rugby league community to join in with the ceremony and pay their respects. He said: “For any rugby league fans based in London or travelling down for the Challenge Cup Final, I encourage all to come and pay their respects to our service personnel this Friday at 11 o’clock.

“Above all else, rugby league is a family. Like any family, we remember those we have lost and this ceremony both a poignant reminder and fitting tribute to those in the game who have done so much for the country and for us all.”

The Parliamentary Rugby League Group was instrumental in rugby league being recognised in the Armed Services in 1994 and last year, its sister body, politicians’ team the Political Animals played an Army Veterans side at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, including many players who took part in the first official Army Rugby League Game 20 years previous.