Wheelchair rugby league differs from the Paralympic sport of wheelchair rugby.

As with able-bodied rugby, players are only allowed to pass the ball backwards while goalposts are used at both ends.

This allows for conversions and penalties, attempted by players striking the ball with their hands.

Each team is allowed to keep the ball for six tackles, as with able-bodied rugby league.

At the World Cup - the third edition to be played - hosts France beat England 38-34 in the final in Perpignan. 

It meant they retained the crown they won at the 2013 edition, also after beating the English, who won the title themselves in 2008.

Australia beat Italy 58-45 for bronze.

The final was streamed live on YouTube with the RLIF claiming that "global audiences" had been involved.

"This World Cup took wheelchair sport to a new level and the atmosphere at the final in Perpignan established this tournament as one of the world's leading global sporting events," said RLIF chairman Nigel Wood.

"RLIF is indebted to the French Federation for hosting such an outstanding tournament and RLIF congratulates the hosts France on winning the Wheelchair World Cup."

There was controversy earlier in the tournament when Wales threatened to leave the pitch if flash photography was used after player Harry Jones suffered seizures in two matches.

A call to ban flash photography at future competitions has been made.

"If we see flash photography, the Wales team will come off the pitch until the problem is sorted," Wales boss Mark Jones said to the BBC.