Clubs must wait until October for confirmation of 2026 Super League status
The top 12 will still be determined by existing IMG grading scores, with the possible additional clubs picked by a seven-strong panel of experts.
Clubs – including those who face the prospect of dropping out of the existing top 12 in the IMG table – must express their intention to apply by next Wednesday, with the composition of next season's Super League announced on October 16.
Crisis-hit Salford, who are battling to complete their season after forfeiting last week's game against Wakefield, are expected to drop out of contention, effectively leaving three top-flight places up for grabs.
The PA news agency understands that Bradford Bulls, who last played in Super League in 2014, are in pole position to replace Salford in the 12th spot, leaving Toulouse, York and London as front-runners for the remaining places.
The panel, which will consider criteria additional to those already set out by IMG, specifically relating to financial status and sustainability going forward, will be chaired by RFL non-executive director Lord Caine.
Caine said: 'I am honoured to have been asked to chair the panel to determine whether the Betfred Super League expands from 12 to 14 in 2026 and, if so, which clubs will take up the 13th and 14th positions in the competition.
'This panel consists of individuals with the considerable knowledge and expertise necessary to ensure that the process is both thorough and robust.
'All of our proceedings will be conducted on the basis of absolute fairness, rigorous impartiality between the applicants, total independence and, of necessity, complete confidentiality.'
The seven-strong panel will also include two fellow non-executive RFL directors Abi Ekoku and Dermot Power, RFL chief executive Tony Sutton, interim head of legal Graeme Sarjeant, RL Commercial managing director Rhodri Jones and Super League (Europe) board member Peter Hutton.
The composition of next season's Championship and League One competitions – which are expected to merge – is set to be confirmed later this week.
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Rhyl Journal
2 hours ago
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Clubs must wait until October for confirmation of 2026 Super League status
The current top 12 clubs voted last month to expand the competition to 14 from 2026, subject to enough applicants meeting tight financial and sustainability criteria. The top 12 will still be determined by existing IMG grading scores, with the possible additional clubs picked by a seven-strong panel of experts. Clubs – including those who face the prospect of dropping out of the existing top 12 in the IMG table – must express their intention to apply by next Wednesday, with the composition of next season's Super League announced on October 16. Crisis-hit Salford, who are battling to complete their season after forfeiting last week's game against Wakefield, are expected to drop out of contention, effectively leaving three top-flight places up for grabs. The PA news agency understands that Bradford Bulls, who last played in Super League in 2014, are in pole position to replace Salford in the 12th spot, leaving Toulouse, York and London as front-runners for the remaining places. The panel, which will consider criteria additional to those already set out by IMG, specifically relating to financial status and sustainability going forward, will be chaired by RFL non-executive director Lord Caine. Caine said: 'I am honoured to have been asked to chair the panel to determine whether the Betfred Super League expands from 12 to 14 in 2026 and, if so, which clubs will take up the 13th and 14th positions in the competition. 'This panel consists of individuals with the considerable knowledge and expertise necessary to ensure that the process is both thorough and robust. 'All of our proceedings will be conducted on the basis of absolute fairness, rigorous impartiality between the applicants, total independence and, of necessity, complete confidentiality.' The seven-strong panel will also include two fellow non-executive RFL directors Abi Ekoku and Dermot Power, RFL chief executive Tony Sutton, interim head of legal Graeme Sarjeant, RL Commercial managing director Rhodri Jones and Super League (Europe) board member Peter Hutton. The composition of next season's Championship and League One competitions – which are expected to merge – is set to be confirmed later this week.
South Wales Guardian
3 hours ago
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Richie Wellens hails Josh Koroma for ‘great finish, great goal' in Plymouth win
Koroma latched on to a brilliant first-time volleyed through ball from Ollie O'Neill before running on to send a superb angled finish past Argyle goalkeeper Luca Ashby-Hammond and into the far corner. Home protests of offside were waved away by officials. Wellens said: 'It's something we want to do better – when we press high and we win the ball high we can play the ball forward quickly. It was a great pass for the goal and a great finish. 'Josh Koroma composed himself well, kept the defender at arm's length and always knew what he was doing: great finish, great goal. 'It was a professional performance from us. It's a difficult place to come, a long way to come. 'It was a long day yesterday travelling down and today's been a long day so you are not always going to see flowing football and total control. 'But I think we controlled certain areas of the game and we are playing against a relegated club from the Championship and they are expected to be right up there. 'Apart from the first 15 to 20 minutes where they were on top I thought we made quite a few chances and could have scored a couple more goals. 'I am proud of my players second half because they (Plymouth) made a lot of unforced errors and I think that was down to the way we pressed them and our work rate.' Argyle boss Tom Cleverley said: 'You can probably tell my body language I am not as burning angry as I was on Saturday. 'I saw a group of guys who were focused, were organised were trying their best. 'We just fell short, that is where we are at, at the minute. 'The Lincoln and the Barnsley performances were similar in that we offered attacking threat but conceded three really soft goals. 'The Bolton and Leyton Orient performances were similar in that we looked a bit more solid and in control but just in that final part were just a bit off it tonight. 'Putting the two performances together is what we are striving for before we can complete. 'Alex Mitchell has come in and made us look more solid. I was pleased with his debut and there were some positives to take out today. I though (Ayman) Benarous was fantastic making his first league start for us. 'Having watched the goal on the small monitor next to me it looked like a good decision. I will have to watch it back, it was a small screen and obviously in the heat of the battle. It just looked like one that maybe we couldn't complain about.'
North Wales Chronicle
3 hours ago
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Richie Wellens hails Josh Koroma for ‘great finish, great goal' in Plymouth win
Koroma latched on to a brilliant first-time volleyed through ball from Ollie O'Neill before running on to send a superb angled finish past Argyle goalkeeper Luca Ashby-Hammond and into the far corner. Home protests of offside were waved away by officials. Wellens said: 'It's something we want to do better – when we press high and we win the ball high we can play the ball forward quickly. It was a great pass for the goal and a great finish. 'Josh Koroma composed himself well, kept the defender at arm's length and always knew what he was doing: great finish, great goal. 'It was a professional performance from us. It's a difficult place to come, a long way to come. 'It was a long day yesterday travelling down and today's been a long day so you are not always going to see flowing football and total control. 'But I think we controlled certain areas of the game and we are playing against a relegated club from the Championship and they are expected to be right up there. 'Apart from the first 15 to 20 minutes where they were on top I thought we made quite a few chances and could have scored a couple more goals. 'I am proud of my players second half because they (Plymouth) made a lot of unforced errors and I think that was down to the way we pressed them and our work rate.' Argyle boss Tom Cleverley said: 'You can probably tell my body language I am not as burning angry as I was on Saturday. 'I saw a group of guys who were focused, were organised were trying their best. 'We just fell short, that is where we are at, at the minute. 'The Lincoln and the Barnsley performances were similar in that we offered attacking threat but conceded three really soft goals. 'The Bolton and Leyton Orient performances were similar in that we looked a bit more solid and in control but just in that final part were just a bit off it tonight. 'Putting the two performances together is what we are striving for before we can complete. 'Alex Mitchell has come in and made us look more solid. I was pleased with his debut and there were some positives to take out today. I though (Ayman) Benarous was fantastic making his first league start for us. 'Having watched the goal on the small monitor next to me it looked like a good decision. I will have to watch it back, it was a small screen and obviously in the heat of the battle. It just looked like one that maybe we couldn't complain about.'
