Players from co-hosts England, Wales and The Exiles teams were pictured wearing special 500 days to go T-shirts and then signed them for a special competition on the RLWC2013 website.

Host nation England are preparing for a two-game series against the Exiles. Captain Jamie Peacock, talking from the squad’s training camp in Loughborough, said: “These games against the Exiles mark the start of our preparations for RLWC2013. Knowing we have just 500 days before we face Australia in Cardiff puts that into sharp perspective for us. All the players here want to be in that squad next October and will be working hard for the next 16 months”.

Iestyn Harris, coach of co-hosts Wales, also in camp preparing for a fixture with RLWC2013 rivals France said “The opening fixture of RLWC2013 when Wales play Italy in the Millennium Stadium will be the biggest game this group of players has ever played. When you think of it that way 500 days doesn’t sound very far away.”

500 days to go also marks the launch of the RLWC2013 volunteer recruitment programme. RLWC2013 are looking for 500 volunteers to work across the tournament in various disciplines, in all of the host communities.

RLWC2013 kicks off in Cardiff on October 26 2013 when host nations Wales and England take on Italy and Australia respectively.

14 nations then go head to head in four groups for a place in the semi-finals double-header in the spectacular setting of Wembley Stadium in London.

The tournament also visits France and Ireland as RWLC2013 looks to help the game develop in Europe.

Look for the special sections on this site to sign up for ticket email updates and the email address for the volunteer programme.