YORK will not be hosting the final of the fledgling international rugby league tournament the European National Cup.

Rugby Football League bosses were seriously considering playing the showpiece match at York City's Bootham Crescent and held talks with the football club, but the Evening Press believes they will instead plump for Warrington's Halliwell-Jones Stadium, with the official announcement due tomorrow.

Sources say Halliwell-Jones, home of Super League side Warrington Wolves, was chosen because it has more experience of staging televised rugby league matches.

The match, to be screened by Sky Television, will be played on Sunday, November 7, and will involve the winners of the two three-team pools comprising England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Russia.

Huntington Stadium, home of York City Knights RLC, was also considered as a host venue as the RFL look to build on the marketing success of the Knights by bringing more rugby to the Minster city. But it is believed that ground was too small for the expected attendance.

Updated: 10:28 Saturday, September 04, 2004