The KC Stadium is one of two potential host venues in Hull.

Hull City Council have confirmed they will submit a formal bid to host games in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup to be held in England and Wales.

Hull FC's KC Stadium and Hull KR's Craven Park are expected to be put forward as potential venues.

Councillor Kalvin Neal told BBC Radio Humberside: "It's good for the city.

"We're a big sporting city whether that be football, rugby, ice hockey or whatever the sport and the people of Hull appreciate them."

Hull FC have held a Rugby League World Cup games before with the Boulevard playing host to Australia's record 110-4 victory over Russia in November 2000 and a 28-28 draw between Papua New Guinea and Tonga five years earlier.

However, Mr Neal is confident the Yorkshire city will be able to attract a high-profile England game if they are successful in their bid but says it is not essential.

Looking at the infrastructure we have got it all there Councillor Kalvin Neal

"I think it would be important for the residents of the city but for the overall picture, in terms of the benefits to the city, I don't think it matters too much," he said.

"As far as making 'fan fests' and getting media across to the city it's not important and the people of Hull tend to watch internationals anyway so we've got to hope that the stadium would be full."

Mr Neal also believes they can draw on the experience of their failed bid to be named as a potential host city as part of England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup in football.

"I'm not, by any stretch of the imagination, comparing it with the football World Cup because obviously the KC Stadium would have been up to a capacity of 45,000 whereas we're obviously looking at 25,000," he said.

"But when we're looking at things like the infrastructure around the stadium, hotel bed spaces, where we can put 'fan fests' and where the training camps could be then, yes, we have got it all there."

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