The RFL has paid tribute to Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract, the President of the All Party Parliamentary Rugby League Group, who has died after a short illness. He was 86.

Lord Lofthouse, who was MP for Pontefract and Castleford between 1978 and 1997, was a great supporter of the sport in both the House of Commons and House of Lords after receiving his life peerage in 1997.

“On behalf of the RFL I would like to extend my sympathies to the family of Lord Lofthouse at this sad time,” said RFL Chief Executive Nigel Wood.

“Lord Lofthouse championed the sport in Westminster all through his political life and Rugby League owes a great debt to him for all his unstinting work on our behalf.

“He was a strong figure in the process which brought the RFL and BARLA together in 2003 to create a single governing body, as a result of which Rugby League has been able to continue to grow in strength.”