SPORTS fans won't be forced to swear their allegiance and choose between rugby and football after league bosses changed the kick-off time.

Barrow Raiders' game against Toulouse was due to kick-off at 3pm on Sunday - just an hour before the World Cup final.

Last week club bosses asked the French side if the start time could be brought forward but Toulouse refused.

Rugby Football League bosses then stepped in and today - perhaps not a coincidence following France's win against Belgium last night, the French club has now agreed to kick-off an hour earlier.

The Craven Park club's commercial director Pete Murphy said Raiders hoped to be able to attract footy fans to the rugby game to watch the World Cup final.

"We'll have the big screen on and bringing the kick-off of the rugby game forward means we can accommodate for people who wouldn't want to miss the World Cup final," he said.

"We would hate for folk to stay away from such an important game for us."

The Raiders game is unlikely to be the only RFL fixture on Sunday to see the kick-off time changed with many wanting to be able to watch the World Cup final on Sunday. If both clubs agree, and with the backing of the RFL, the time of a match can be altered.

"At the end of the day with the problems we've had financially we don't want a situation where we only have 200 people at the game," Mr Murphy added.

Raiders hope to be able to move the big screen outside and with alcoholic drinks allowed to be consumed in the stands at rugby games the club hopes to draw in the crowds.

"If Toulouse beat us, and England make it through to the final, then it'll make for an even better World Cup final," Mr Murphy said.