𝙄𝙨 𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙍𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙜𝙪𝙚?

In a Word, Yes — but Not Just Yet

Like many supporters, I believe rugby league is the best sport in the world and deserves far greater attention in the UK media. It is fast-paced, physical, and dramatic — a sport that should naturally appeal to a wide audience. Yet despite these qualities, rugby league is still labelled the “M62 sport”, with largely the same teams competing for top honours. This is a far cry from the vision laid out when Super League was launched over 30 years ago.

The most common argument in favour of expansion points to the success of Catalans Dragons. However, this must be balanced against less successful ventures such as Paris Saint-Germain, Celtic Crusaders, and Toronto Wolfpack — projects that, frankly, made the sport and its governance appear amateurish.

Catalans Dragons should undoubtedly be the blueprint for how expansion can work. Even so, it is fair to ask whether their potential has been fully realised. In my view, there is still far more that could be done. With Catalans and Toulouse Olympique both boasting passionate fanbases and strong attendances, there is a genuine opportunity to grow the game in France. Rather than viewing these clubs in isolation, the focus should be on developing a competitive French domestic league, with long-term ambitions of a European competition and perhaps a revitalised Challenge Cup.

One of rugby league’s greatest frustrations is its tendency to run before it can walk. While I fully support expansion, fast-tracking clubs into the top tier purely for the sake of growth has repeatedly proven ineffective. Clubs outside the traditional heartlands need time to build foundations, grow support, and establish sustainability before earning a place at the highest level.

Moreover, there are fundamental issues within the sport that must be addressed before expansion can truly succeed. You cannot build a house on broken foundations, and rugby league is no different. These wider issues, however, are a discussion for another time.

So how can the sport grow in a sustainable way? Aside from further development in France, one potential solution would be the creation of a dedicated expansion league positioned between the National Conference League and the Championship. This semi-professional division would invite clubs to apply, offering a structured pathway for development.

To progress into League 1 or the Championship — ideally within a restructured, split Championship system — clubs would need to spend a minimum of three years in the expansion league. They would also be required to demonstrate financial sustainability and operate a credible youth development programme, providing local players with a clear pathway to senior rugby.

A dedicated league for expansion clubs, both inside and outside the heartlands, would allow teams to grow on a level playing field. It would reduce the need for panic spending, encourage competitive fixtures, and help clubs build loyal fanbases. In turn, this would strengthen the sport’s appeal to sponsors at both local and national levels.

In an ideal scenario, rugby league should aim to establish a fully professional second tier within the next decade. Doing so would significantly strengthen the game’s structure and secure its long-term future. Rugby league now stands at a crossroads: get it right, and the sport can flourish; get it wrong, and the next few decades could prove extremely challenging.