A new format has been announced for an expanded and more meaningful Rugby League European Federation European Shield in 2012-13.

The competition will now take place over two years with the four selected nations playing each other home and away.

The side finishing bottom of the league will be relegated to the European Bowl, with the winner from that 2013 tournament taking their place in the 2014-5 Shield.

Pending RLIF confirmation of the format for the 2017 RLWC, the RLEF has proposed that the 2014-15 Shield acts as a qualifying tournament, meaning that all 24 European Shield matches between 2012 and 2015 are essentially world cup qualifiers.

The dates for the opening six matches in 2012 have been agreed among the competing nations; holders Germany, 2013 World Cup qualifiers Italy, and Russia and Serbia will effectively form a ‘Champions League’, bringing together the countries which have previously won the tournament  - Serbia in 2007, 2010 (West); Italy 2008, 2009; Russia 2010 (East) and Germany 2011. Interestingly, none of those nations went on to defend their titles because of the changing formats of the competition.

Dan Stocks, head coach of the current champions Germany, who begin the competition on the 12th May at home to Serbia, commented, "We are very much looking forward to playing in the new look European Shield over the next two years. We are well aware that our opponents have all had the experience of the world cup qualifiers recently, however, we are pleased with the steps we are taking and believe it’s only right that we test ourselves against the strongest teams possible"

Stocks highlighted that the experience of playing against Malta last July will help the Germans against the next tier of opposition.

"The lads that played in the win against Malta in the summer all valued their experience massively and are desperate for the new year so they can get back into rugby league training, improve and stake a place in the squad for 2012" said Stocks.

The changes to the Shield are part of the RLEF’s eight-year strategy, which in addition to focusing on participation, also encourages longer-term planning and a robustly structured international calendar.

EUROPEAN SHIELD 2012 FIXTURES
12th May 2012 – Germany v Serbia
19th May – Germany v Russia
9th June – Serbia v Italy
7th July – Italy v Germany
8th September – Russia v Italy
22nd September – Russia v Serbia

These fixtures will be reversed in 2013, dates to be confirmed.

Malta, who were runners up from the 2011 edition of the European Shield, are in discussions to finalise their national team fixtures for 2012.

MRL officials' plans are that the Malta Knights will play in the 2013 European Bowl, to be promoted to the 2014-15 European Shield that it is anticipated will act as a qualifying tournament for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

2011-12-20, 14:54