Super League's best-laid plans for expansion halted by the pandemic

31 May 2020 01:48
Coronavirus has left Super League’s two overseas teams with the prospect of playing home games in England and could hinder further expansion in North AmericaFor 125 years, rugby league’s greatest strength has perhaps been its instinct for innovation. For a sport that often finds itself in the shadows of its sporting cousins, it has consistently tried to broaden its own horizons.Never has that been more evident than this year. Catalans Dragons and Toronto Wolfpack play in Super League, Toulouse in the Championship and new teams from Ottawa and New York are due to join the Rugby Football League in 2021. However, as all professional sport plots a route back to normality, league’s most exciting asset could now be perceived as its biggest vulnerability. “This situation will make it difficult for expansionism moving forward – we’ll have to adapt,” says the Toronto chairman, Bob Hunter. Related: Rugby league gets £16m emergency loan from government Related: A short history of rugby league on TV: from Richard Madeley to multiscreen Related: Toronto and Williams arrive in RFL on a mission to stay the distance | Aaron Bower Continue readingreadfullarticle

Source: TheGuardian