Teams from the capitals of six European nations will meet in the ‘Capitals of Rugby League 9s’ at the Epitok Sports Field, Budapest this Saturday (8 October). London, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Belgrade, Paris, Vitez (in Bosnia & Herzegovina) and hosts Budapest will be represented in the day long tournament.

The HRLF have been using 9s to increase their participation in international events, having already won in the Czech Republic and Poland this year and they will be supporting a heritage team in the Cabramatta International 9s in Australia next year.

“It was my dream to start a Grand Prix type 9s event here ever since we played in one in Paris. Our ladies were the shining star on that day but the men’s team also enjoyed it,” said HRLFpresident, Zsolt Lukacs, “We have nine teams coming in all from all corners of Europe. That was impossible a few years ago. As well as that, we will have over 150 people at Europe's first ‘Rock and Rugby League’ bar in Budapest, the Rocktogon.”

The teams will split into three pools for the group matches of 15 minutes each before moving into a tiered second round. Following that, the top two sides will contest a nine minute each way final and there will be a match for third place. Along with an awards ceremony at the Rocktogon, players and fans will be able to watch the sell-out First Utility Super League Grand Final between Warrington and Wigan from Old Trafford.