Eorl Crabtree has deep ‘concerns’ for rugby league if this doesn’t happen

Former England and Huddersfield Giants man Eorl Crabtree has suggested one thing that’s essential for the future of rugby league.

Crabtree made over 400 appearances in 17 seasons for the Giants, playing in two Challenge Cup finals and being named in the Super League Dream Team.

He also played for England between 2004 and 2010.

Since retirement in 2016, he has become a pundit and commentator during BBC’s coverage of the sport as well as a club ambassador.

On Twitter, he often makes suggestions on what would be good for the sport, such as: “It may not be a popular viewpoint, but I am of the opinion that the restriction on overseas players in Super League should be relaxed.”

He has also given his opinions on rules surrounding head contact: “I’m the first to say the game has changed and contact with the head is going to have consequences which I understand and agree with, there does need to be better application of this though and quickly.”

Eorl Crabtree has deep ‘concerns’ for rugby league if this doesn’t happen

Now, Crabtree has spoken about the possibility of NRL investment in Super League – which has been widely reported on for a number of years, but now seems to be closer than ever to coming to fruition.

Wigan and Warrington’s involvement in NRL’s showpiece event in Las Vegas in 2025 seems to show perfectly how important the league is starting to see the British game as.

Crabtree said, via Twitter: “Personally I think the NRL having a direct involvement in British Rugby League maybe the only way to make the sport flourish, I believe it will help further commercial investment & create grass roots opportunities. Without it I have concerns the sport will continue to depreciate.”

Despite IMG’s new involvement, many point to NRL’s decision-making as being far better than what the RFL have implemented in the past few decades.