Super League expansion will boost player development, insists Arthur

Super League's controversial expansion to 14 teams has been backed by Leeds Rhinos boss Brad Arthur.

- by Peter Smith

The 12 existing topflight clubs agreed during a meeting at AMT Headingley last month to increase the size of the competition in 2026 by promoting at least two teams from the second-tier Betfred Championship. The dozen highest-ranked sides under the IMG ratings will play in Super League next year, alongside two selected by an independent panel' chaired by Lord Jonathan Caine.

The move will bring an end to the unpopular 'loop' fixtures, which see sides meet some opponents three times in a season, but has proved highly contentious amid fears there aren't enough available players to staff 14 elite-level clubs.