Lebanon

By Phil Caplan, Date: 27/7/12

England Community Lions Under-18s, the first English representative squad to visit Lebanon in any major team sport, has been getting accustomed to the high temperatures and humidity ahead of the first of their two-match series with Liban Espoir - Lebanon’s Under-20s - on Saturday.

“The team has been adjusting well to the weather, which hit 38 degrees on Thursday and will be around 36 on game day,” said Lions tour manager Andy Harland. “All the squad have been enjoying the sights and sounds of Lebanon. They’re looking forward to what I’m sure will be a good game but the main aspect is that it has already been a fantastic cultural experience, and we’ve yet to enjoy playing rugby league in this country.”

Press Release, Date: 20/6/2012

Tripoli City Kings RLFC, in their debut season, have been crowned Lebanese rugby league champions after defeating the Immortals RLFC, 34-14 in Beirut.

Press Release, Date 23/6/12

There is no time to rest for the Lebanese-based players that have been chosen for the train-on squad that will tour Canada later this summer.With their Championship Grand Final played last week, the players have been put through some rigorous training sessions and this level will remain until the squad is finalized and flies out to Toronto in late August.

The local players will be met in Canada by Cedars Head Coach David Bayssari and the Australian-based members of the touring party.

LEBANESE RUGBY LEAGUE NATION OVERVIEW

Foundation Year - 1998

International Team - The Cedars

Highest finish in World Cup - One draw in Pool games (2000)

Top level domestic competition - Lebanon's domestic competition has been running since 2002. The Bank of Beirut RL Championship now involves 7 teams.