LONDON: Four countries – England, Wales, Ireland and France – will host the 2013 rugby league World Cup, the Rugby Football League said Monday.

The group stages and quarterfinals of the competition, involving 14 teams, will take place at 18 venues including Avignon and Perpignan in France and Limerick’s rugby union stronghold of Thomond Park.

Venues for the the opening ceremony, the semifinals and the final, as well as the precise fixtures, will be confirmed early next year. The quarterfinals will be held at Headingley, Wrexham, Warrington and Wigan.

Tournament director Nigel Wood said: “We experienced massive interest in hosting matches from all across Europe and we have had to make some tough decisions.

“We are excited that the tournament will visit established world-class rugby league venues but will also visit some new locations, including Bristol and Whitehaven, where we see unique opportunities to grow the game and to deliver a lasting legacy for our sport.”

The tournament will consist of two pools of four and two of three.

England have been drawn alongside Australia, Fiji and Ireland in Group A while holders New Zealand will face Papua New Guinea, Samoa and France in Group B. Scotland will face Tonga and Italy in Group C and Wales have been drawn against the Cook Islands and the U.S. in Group D.