2003 European Nations Cup of rugby league

The European Nations Cup returned in 2003, being the first tournament since England last won it in 1996. The last European Nations Cup held, in 1996, followed traditional structures presented from previous tournaments, involving just three nations, England, France and Wales, all teams only playing each other once.

The 2003 tournament saw a revised structure, with Ireland, Scotland and Russia all joining. The new structure formed the basis of two groups of three, each nation playing a total of two games, where the winner of each group meets in a final.

Obvious favourites England easily won the final against France.

Group 1

Results

rugbybox
date = 26 October
home = rl-rt|Ireland
score = 24–22
away = rl|Scotland
stadium =
rugbybox
date = 9 November
home = rl-rt|Scotland
score = 8–6
away = rl|France
stadium =
rugbybox
date = 11 November
home = rl-rt|France
score = 26–18
away = rl|Ireland
stadium =

Final standings

France advanced to the final on points differential.

Group 2

Results

rugbybox
date = 26 October
home = rl-rt|Wales
score = 74–4
away = rl|Russia
stadium =
rugbybox
date = 2 November
home = rl-rt|England
score = 102–0
away = rl|Russia
stadium =
rugbybox
date = 11 November
home = rl-rt|England
score = 22–4
away = rl|Wales
stadium =

Final standings

England advanced to the final.

Final

rugbybox
date = 15 November
home = rl-rt|England
score = 68–6
away = rl|France
stadium =