Moe Lester: Alas, Rugby League is the greatest sport there is. I genuinely believe that. Sadly, I also believe that it's been ran by the biggest clowns. Absolutely. This just popped up on the Google feed on my phone: https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/super-league-to-expand-in-2026-with-unique-method-to-choose-new-clubs-unveiled Unique? Corrupt! And I don't care if we "benefit" from it. Still, corrupt.

Moe Lester: Alas, Rugby League is the greatest sport there is. I genuinely believe that. Sadly, I also believe that it's been ran by the biggest clowns. Absolutely. This just popped up on the Google feed on my phone: https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/super-league-to-expand-in-2026-with-unique-method-to-choose-new-clubs-unveiled Unique? Corrupt! And I don't care if we "benefit" from it. Still, corrupt.

Maybe the NRL didn't recognise that after 120 odd years up north, 45 years in the capital & 25 years in Perpignan, the game here had made bugger all progress & still run on a self interest, rather than game interest basis. 

Can’t help but think how dodgy this new criteria stuff sounds. If IMG is what the game has tied itself to then shouldn’t it be the 13th and 14th highest graded teams joining the top 12?
Clearly Wood will be working to get Bradford in ( probably at Toulouse’s expense) and somehow I feel we might just miss out for another M62 based team.
Even if we do go up there’s going to be plenty saying it’s only because Gary has schmoozed a lot of his old mates to let us in. That said maybe it’s poetic justice for the way IMG stiffed us before a ball was even kicked last season ?

Had a look at the records of current fancied Championship sides for places 13 & 14 in SL over last 10 years.


Bradford
Won L1 in 2018. 2nd a couple of times in Champ. No Grand Finals & went bust.


Toulouse
Won GF 2021 1 Season in SL Lost GF in 2023 & 2024 Won L1 2016


York
8 seasons in Championship & 3 in L1
Best finish in Champ 3rd


Oldham
5 seasons in Championship, best finish 7th I think & 5 seasons in L1 enough said.


Fev
10 seasons in Championship, lost 2 GFs.


London
8 Seasons in Championship & 2 in SL. 2 GF wins of course.


I might be wrong but of the current Championship clubs, only London & Toulouse have been in SL in this period. Also, most seasons, London have had to pretty much build a new team.


Based on that, Bradford, York, Oldham & Fev are someway behind London & Toulouse on the pitch even if not on other IMG criteria. 


Just saying.......

Excellent summery.