English Super League to be enlarged to 14 teams

Blackleaf · English Super League to be enlarged to 14 teams

The top flight of English rugby league - the Super League - is to be expanded from 12 to 14 teams.

The Super League is currently in its 13th season - Super League XIII - and from Super League XIV onwards, it will be enlarged.

More teams from the First Division will be offered places in the top flight. The current favourites are Salford City Reds, Widnes and Celtic Crusaders, but Leigh, Featherstone, Halifax or Toulouse, a French side who plays in the English league, could also join Super League.

Super League last consisted of 14 clubs in 1999 but reverted to 12, its original level, after the demise of Gateshead and Sheffield, who merged with Hull FC and Huddersfield Giants .

Super League set for expansion

Warrington Wolves defeated Huddersfield Giants 28-26 in a recent Super League game

engage Super League is to be expanded from 12 to 14 clubs from next season, the Rugby Football League have confirmed.

Places in the elite competition are to be awarded by licences from 2009 rather than promotion or relegation and 19 clubs, including the 12 currently in situ, have applied for places.

The decision to create two extra places will offer greater hope to Salford, Widnes and Celtic Crusaders – the favourites to be offered positions – as well as Leigh, Featherstone, Halifax and Toulouse, of succeeding.

RFL executive chairman Richard Lewis confirmed the time is now right to make the increase due to improved television and sponsorship revenue.

Lewis told BBC Radio Five Live: “I believe the sport is on the up and there are so many things that are going well.

"Television income, sponsorship income and crowd figures – so much is going well. I think the sport is ready to make that transition.

"The international game is growing and it is probably as good a time as any for the sport to go to a 14-team Super League competition."

A decision on the final make-up of engage Super League from 2009-11 – licences are to be reissued every three years – is expected next month, although no date has been confirmed.

Super League last consisted of 14 clubs in 1999 but reverted to 12, its original level, after the demise of Gateshead and Sheffield, who merged with Hull FC and Huddersfield Giants respectively before being reformed at a lower level.

Lewis is confident the planned changes to engage Super League will not affect the strength of the game in the Co-operative National League divisions.

He added: “I know the National League is a very strong competition and that will remain very strong even when Super League goes to 14. I think the sport is ready to make that transition."

Current Super League XIII standings

Leeds Rhinos - 28
St Helens - 24
Catalan Dragons - 23
Warrington Wolves - 18
Wigan Warriors - 18
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats - 18
Bradford Bulls - 16
Harlequins RL - 16
Hull Kingston Rovers - 15
Hull - 11
Huddersfield Giants - 9
Castleford Tigers - 6

http://www.therfl.co.uk/~therflc/home/news_item.php?id=10842