The world's top two rugby league nations, New Zealand and Australia, do battle in Wellington last November

A record number of countries will be playing officially-sanctioned international rugby league during 2015.

A total of 28 nations will be playing competitively this year, with this number set to rise over the next decade.

Most eyes are on next month's Anzac Test in Brisbane, as well as New Zealand's three-match series in England this autumn.

However, also scheduled are a Pacific Series, European Championship, the Scandinavian Cup along with matches in the Americas, Asia, Africa and Middle East.

There are also matches scheduled for those teams hoping to qualify for the 2017 World Cup.

Graeme Thompson, chair of the Rugby League International Federation's competitions committee, said: "It is great to see the breadth of international teams who are competing in 2015.

"It will be fascinating to see England and New Zealand lock horns again after their recent dramatic clashes and we also have other developing rivalries such as Belgium and the Netherlands playing this year.

"There is a lot at stake this year in international RL and a lot to excite."

New Zealand – who on Thursday extended the contract of head coach Stephen Kearney until the end of the next World Cup – could overtake Australia as the No 1-ranked country.

The RLIF recently appointed former ECB boss David Collier as its first full-time chief executive.