A 100-day countdown to the Rugby League World Cup has started in Huddersfield.

Thursday, July 25, marks 100 days to go to the kick-off of the World Cup group game at the John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield.

On Saturday, November 2, England will take on Ireland in the only guaranteed England game in West Yorkshire.

Now to mark the countdown, Kirklees Council has teamed up with Huddersfield Giants to launch a series of events.

Members of the Huddersfield Giants Community Trust, along with Giants stars Jason Chan and Peter Aspinall, and club mascot Big G visited Birkby Infant School.

The day started with a special World Cup themed assembly followed by a competition to win a set of tickets for the England and Ireland game, which was won by Oliver Dodsworth.

The day continued with sports day competitions.

To mark the 100-day milestone to each game organising group RLWC2013 has hidden 100 specially-branded balls.

Three of these bright orange balls will be hidden in Huddersfield for lucky fans of the game to find on Thursday, by following clues about where the balls are hidden on tweets which include the hashtags #findourballs and #kirkleesrlwc2013.

Those who find the balls will win tickets to the England v Ireland match.

Organisers are urging those who want to see the Huddersfield game to buy their tickets early to ensure they do not miss out in what is already appearing to be one of the “must see” games in the group stages.

Ticket sales are very strong and have exceeded expectations up to this point with fans and supporters snapping them up.

Clr Jean Calvert, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Communities said: “We are now approaching 100 days away from the England v Ireland game when existing fans and new supporters of the game will be able to enjoy first-hand the world’s best Rugby League in Huddersfield.

“It is an exciting time as there is plenty going on to support the build-up to Rugby League World Cup 2013 with projects in schools and communities.”

The Kirklees Consortium led by Kirklees Council in partnership with Huddersfield Giants, Dewsbury Rams, Batley Bulldogs, Kirklees Stadium Development Ltd, Kirklees Active Leisure, and West Yorkshire Sport has developed a programme of rugby league activities which will see more people playing and involved in rugby league after the tournament this autumn.