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The first Rugby League World Cup was held in France in 1954. The prime motivators behind the idea of holding rugby league world cup were the French, who were short of money following the seizing of their assets by the rugby union in World War II.
A group stage was held first, with Great Britain topping the table as a result of points difference. They went on to defeat France (who finished second in the table, level on points) in the final, which was held at the Parc des Princes, Paris, in front of around 30,000 spectators.
[edit] Results
[edit] Group stages
[edit] League standings
Great Britain 16
(G Brown 2, D Rose, Gerry Helme tries; J Ledgard 2 goals)
France 12
(Vincent Cantoni, R Constrastin tries; Puig Aubert 3 goals)
Great Britain: Jimmy Ledgard; D. Rose, Phil Jackson, A. Naughton, Mick Sullivan; G. Brown, Gerry Helme; J. Thorley, S. Smith, R. Coverdale, B. Watts, D. Robinson, Dave Valentine (c) Manager: G. Shaw
France: Puig Aubert (c); R. Contrastin, Jacques Merquey, C. Teissiere, Vincent Cantoni; A. Jiminez, J. Crespo; J. Krawzyck, J. Audobert, F. Rinaldi, J. Pambrun, A. Save, G. Verdier.
[edit] External links
New Zealand
Great Britain
