WORLD class rugby league will come to Lancaster in August, when an England side will face one of the international game's emerging nations.

In one of the biggest events ever in the area's sporting calendar, England will scrum down with the Lebanese national side at Vale of Lune's Powder House Lane for a match to remember.

The historic game, on Tuesday, August 23, is the first major league match to be played at Lune's famous ground - which boasts the biggest union pitch in the country aside from Twickenham.

"We are really excited about this game and intend to make it a great success in conjunction with Vale of Lune," says Lancaster Rugby League chairman John Thomason.

The fixture will be played under floodlights and is a real fillip for both codes of the sport with organisers keen to get a big crowd in on the night.

"We are absolutely delighted as a club that this match is taking place," says John Adams, of Vale of Lune.

"We have a fabulous, scenic ground and it will be perfect on a summer evening to watch what will be a tremendous occasion."

The England Lionhearts 13 will be drawn from players of National League Three and the Total.com Rugby League Conference - the best amateur players the country has to offer.

And they will face a fight and a half against the Lebanese, whose most famous player is Australian national rugby league star Hazem El Masri.