It looks like ti will cost taxpayers around £200,000 if York hosts any international Rugby League matches during the world cup in 2021.

It has emerged that the new Community Stadium would be “too small” to host any men’s matches. Instead the City hopes to attract 4 playoff and one semi final from the women’s competition which will be running at the same time.

The Council says that the publicity attracted by the event would be valuable for the City’s tourist industry.

NB. The Council spent nearly £180,000 on a thinly attended  “Grand Departy” concert during the Tour de France in 2014 .