Polska Rugby XIII was formed in 2015, but rugby league has been played in the country since 2011 when founder Lukasz Lucka discovered the game on the internet and decided it was the perfect sport for the youth of his home city, Lodz.

Since the creation of the first team, Lodz Magpies, five more clubs have followed - Tomaszów Wild Bears, Sparta Brzeziny, Skierniewice Razorbacks, Stryków Bulls, and Wataha Piotrków Trybunalski.

The association currently has a federation application lodged with the local authorities which will aid further recognition.

“This is a great milestone for us and the best reward for all the hard work we have put in so far developing rugby league in Poland,” said Lucka.

“We look forward to kicking off a Polish rugby league championship and to play our first full international later this year.”

The governing body has set itself four core objectives - growth of the domestic competition, development of its workforce, raising profile to encourage broadening participation and national team development,

The intention is to launch a nines tournament as a precursor to a full 13-a-side competition.