Unlike the Tri-Nations series, there was no final; the team finishing at the top of the group was deemed the winner.

The Rugby League European Championships was originally a tri-nations tournament between England, Wales, and France playing each other in a single round robin.

A qualification tournament was held to find a team to replace England which saw Georgia beat Serbia and the Netherlands to earn the place.

2006 saw the introduction of a B and C tournament as a result of the increased number of rugby league playering nations in Europe.

[1] The tournament returned in 2009 under the name European Cup under the same format as 2006 but with Serbia and Italy replacing Russia and Georgia.

The usual format was restored for the 2014 tournament which was won by Scotland, who as a result qualified for the 2016 Rugby League Four Nations.

Learning from 2012, the 2016 tournament was held a year prior so as to not interfere with preparations for the 2017 World Cup.

This edition would have also seeen Euro C and D cancelled due to all teams moving up divisions in the expanded tournament.