England will face Samoa in the opening game of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, while Australia will take on Fiji.

Prince Harry attended the draw ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Thursday and picked out Samoa as England's first opponents at St James' Park in Newcastle on October 23, 2021.

France and debutants Greece were also placed in Group A.

The Duke of Sussex drew out Fiji, surprise semi-finalists in 2017, alongside defending champions Australia in Group B, with Scotland and Italy making up the rest of the pool.

New Zealand will be hoping to improve on their quarter-final exit three years ago and they should comfortably emerge from Group C alongside Lebanon, Ireland and Jamaica, the latter of which will be making their first appearance in the competition.

Tonga made the semi-finals in 2017 and will go up against Papua New Guinea, Wales and Cook Islands in Group D.