Rugby League legend Jason Robinson pledges his support for Doncaster's bid to host world cup

And Jason Robinson, the former rugby league star who won the rugby union world cup with England, has given his backing to our campaign to bring the rugby league world cup to Doncaster.

Jason, who won every honour in the game during an eight year spell in Rugby League with Wigan from 1992'“00, gave his support to the bid to hold matches in the borough.

He spoke to the Free Press about the borough's bid to be a host town during a visit to Rossington with his JR All Stars project, which saw him running sports events for youngsters.

He said of the world cup bid: 'I'm realising more and more in the last year or so that there is a lot more sport going on in Doncaster than I thought, and the facilities are there to do it.

'There are a lot of people who would like to see it happen, and I think it would be great. I spent nearly 10 years in rugby league, and played in a world cup, so I know what it means to players.

'One of the things you'd get in Doncaster is a lot of enthusiastic people getting behind it. Doncaster is a heartland of rugby league and I think it would be fantastic to see. I would certainly come and support it if they managed to succeed in the bid.

'For any town to be a host is a privilege and hopefully we will see it.'

Yorkshire-born Jason played in the England versus Australia Rugby League World Cup Final in 1995, finishing as runner up.

He was later part of the England team which won the rugby union world cup in 2003, after switching codes in 2000.

We launched our Rugby League World Cup 2021: Touch Down in Doncaster campaign to support efforts to make the borough a host town for the sport's most glittering showcase event.

Organisers of the tournament have confirmed that Doncaster has passed the first stage of the selection process - meaning it is now an official candidate in the battle to stage the matches.

The bid, which submitted on July 31, was for Doncaster to host three Rugby League World Cup 2021 games at the Keepmoat Stadium during the tournament in October 2021. It also seeks to host teams in Doncaster during the tournament, using hotels and training facilities available in the town.