The 2016 Rugby League European Federation Congress will be held in Bray from October 28-30 to coincide with Ireland’s 2017 World Cup qualifier against Russia.

Ireland, who host the Russians in Bray on October 29, won a bidding contest to host the annual get-together.

RLEF chairman Maurice Watkins said: “This will be the second Congress that has been awarded through a bidding process that was voted in by the membership in 2014 and follows the highly-successful Belgrade 2015 event.

“I would like to congratulate Rugby League Ireland chairman Dr Mick Molloy and his team for making a compelling case to host our meeting.

“The RLEF received seven expressions of interest and three excellent bids for the Congress, showing the appetite from the membership to host the European rugby league community.”

The RLEF was launched in Paris in January 2003 and held its first three annual meetings in France before moving to London.

Rugby League Ireland director Richard Egan said: “I am delighted that we will host the RLEF annual Congress.

“This further shows our commitment to bringing international activity to Bray and we look forward to welcoming members of the other national governing bodies to Ireland to share their knowledge and look at ways to continue growing rugby league across the membership.”

A total of 19 nations – 11 full members, five affiliates and three observers – attended the 2015 RLEF Congress.