He will be replaced in the draw by a lucky loser from one of the qualifying competitions.

CNN: U.S. No. 1 Isner out of Australian Open

One of the key issues for the new ECA now is to expand the compensation deal beyond the finals of major competitions and to all qualifying and friendly games.

BBC: Barcelona president Joan Laporta is confident of a new era

"This is one of the competitions that will tick the right boxes in qualifying for Super league, " he said.

BBC: Raiders fail to sign Fijian trio