This seems to be just all about Wood's coup in parachuting himself to the top job & his power-grab at the expense of the French clubs. He & his cohorts don't want either Toulouse or Catalans in SL because they don't bring in Sky revenue & don't send more than a couple of dozen supporters over here (if that many). Which are valid arguments until you think about the wider game. If league is to properly move forward & expand it has to include the French (and the Welsh, Scots & everyone who wants - yes, I know the talent pool is tiny) or we become an insular, inward-facing sport doomed to ever call on a shrinking audience with concomitant TV, sponsor & advertising revenue reducing year on year.

One argument is that the contract negotiations would be bolstered by a 14 team league, with the theory that more diverse games would mean more advertising etc.. Except that Sky don't broadcast French home games, so it would have to be 2 new English teams (& with all the will in the world I very much doubt London would be able to sustain any sort of interest & profit for any length of time - so we're back to the M62 corridor again).

Notwithstanding Sport England who have questioned the transparency of Wood's appointment & the governance of the game, have threatened to withdraw funding.

I did think when IMG arrived we'd have a few years' stability. That's gone up in smoke. 

So the new "Brains Trust" voted in the 14 club League without even consulting SKY let alone getting their agreement. This is the broadcaster whom Super League depend upon totally.


No wonder Wigan RL abstained from this shirt show!
With this new management the RFL are so below any levels of competence that it leaves me quite staggered. 

Rugby league needs a breakaway, the lunatics have taken over the asylum.

Also, it appears now that Sport England have taken an interest, and are not impressed by Wood's power grab. Funding at stake there. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jul/31/sport-england-to-meet-rfl-chiefs-to-address-governance-concerns-in-rugby-league

Also, it appears now that Sport England have taken an interest, and are not impressed by Wood's power grab. Funding at stake there. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jul/31/sport-england-to-meet-rfl-chiefs-to-address-governance-concerns-in-rugby-league

Oh.

I’m hoping we and the likes of the Hulls and Wire are  working through options of this breakaway as the sky and sports england involvement is very damning. I think a few teams will be edging their bets. I think Derek is going all in on the SL and Woods as let’s face his approach will not wash if the  NRL get involved. I don’t mind Derek and think he has brought some good but the drunken Twitter spats with fans is just too cringy.