RFL Considering Proposal To Expand Super League To As Many As 14 Teams

A proposal which involves "increasing the number of teams in Super League to 13, or even 14, is being considered by the Rugby Football League as discussions begin on the format of the sport's league structure" for '18 and beyond, according to Aaron Bower of the London GUARDIAN. High-ranking officials from the RFL and Super League met at Haydock Park last week to discuss the future of the Super 8s structure. While no decision was reached, a proposal put forward by one club owner is "understood to have attracted particular interest." It included "bringing at least one extra side into the competition, with the leading contender for the extra slot likely to be Hull Kingston Rovers" if it fails to gain promotion from the Championship this season. The proposal also included plans to "potentially rise the number of teams in Super League even higher, with a 14th team coming in," although that would likely not occur until '19 at the earliest if the plans are "given the green light" by the RFL and the clubs (GUARDIAN, 6/19).