Trust the process: Only those on the inside can judge on category grading
The IMG criteria for the next era of Super League licensing has landed and while detailed in parts, it remains suitably vague.
Blogs
Five burning questions facing international rugby league
The mid-season internationals between England and France have been and gone, and probably raised more questions than answers.
England v Tonga verdict: One venue away from the perfect series
After months of waiting and uncertainty, it has finally been confirmed that England will play an autumn test series against Tonga later this year.
The worst thing about the IMG proposals being passed
It’s the first step to what everybody hopes will be a positive impact that IMG has on the sport of rugby league during its 12-year strategic partnership with the RFL.
Mediawatch: Does it matter if Sky Sports care, as long as they pay the money?
Your slightly serious, slightly tongue-in-cheek look at what’s going on in the world of rugby league in the media – including the ongoing fans’ debate between Sky Sports and Channel ...
Red Star Belgrade want to create blueprint for European club giants to follow
Brexit and COVID put paid to any hopes of Red Star Belgrade joining the RFL pyramid, but they still hope to create a model that expands European Rugby League.
Editor’s column: Can a Leigh Leopard change its spots?
Whatever you make of Leigh’s rebrand to the Leopards, they have been the most talked about club in the off-season.
Emerging talent list highlights challenges facing rugby league in the northern hemisphere
When expansion is talked about, the focus is often on the big city names and locations of clubs, and rarely about players.
Your most read rugby league stories in 2022
Another year is in the books and it was yet another eventful one for rugby league on and off the pitch.
Are ball in play stats overrated? The product versus the game
One of the less headline-grabbing elements of IMG’s preliminary proposals for re-imagining rugby league was the separation between the product and the game.
Kyle Amor reveals retirement doubts as former St Helens prop begins pre-season with Widnes
Former St Helens forward Kyle Amor says he considered retirement at the conclusion of the 2022 season before joining Widnes in the Championship for the upcoming campaign.
Incredible wheelchair & women’s games highlight challenge facing the men
World Cup organisers have endured criticism during the tournament, but they made one bold move that will leave a legacy.
Editor’s column: World Cup ticket prices and the bigger picture
It’s often said that the international game is the key to unlocking the door to a prosperous future for rugby league.
What next for Toulouse?
The supposed promised land that they had been striving to reach for the best part of 20 years has almost come and gone in a flash.
Rugby league overkill? Four games in one day at Wembley & multi-game obsession
A growing trend in rugby league in recent years has been cramming as many games as possible in to a single day at a single venue.
Editor’s column: Magic Weekend cards highlight nearly impossible job for referees
If you’re sick of the inconsistencies relating to cards, bans and the disciplinary, spare a thought for the men in the middle.
Editor’s column: Level playing field, structure changes & international debate
A number of talking points for this week’s editor’s column, including bans, internationals, structure changes and Magic Weekend.
Editor’s column: Summer opportunities and Jacques’ reality
The mid-season international window is a good idea in theory, it just falls a bit flat in reality.
Recordbreaking: An elite occasion for the women’s game amidst its growing pains
As St Helens lifted the Women’s Challenge Cup trophy in front of a women’s record crowd at Elland Road, supporters of the game were no doubt reflecting how far it ...
Challenge Cup v Magic Weekend: Can they continue to co-exist?
As we prepare for the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup, it is now less than 100 days until Magic Weekend.
April Fool’s Day in rugby league: From Leeds forfeit to Shaun Wane clothing range
Did you fall for any of these? Did anyone? Here’s a pick of April Fool’s in rugby league.
Editor’s column: Important wins and weeks off
Toulouse’s surprise win over St Helens has set the cat amongst the pigeons in the battle to avoid relegation.
Editor’s column: Toulouse must act fast and ref bashing must stop
The winter of excitement around French rugby league has soon been dampened by Toulouse’s troubled start to the new Super League season.
Editor’s column: Crowd conundrum and Challenge Cup shock
There have been some positive crowds in January, perhaps indicative that rugby league is coming out of the other side of coronavirus disruption.
Brian McDermott comments: ashamed of rugby league?
Eyebrows were raised when Brian McDermott was appointed Featherstone coach following his controversial ‘small towns in the north’ comment when at Toronto.