Huge opportunity for major Super League signings as rival competition “heads for disaster”

Time and again Super League has lost star players to rugby union.

Kyle Eastmond was the brightest young star in Super League till he left for rugby union, Chris Ashton of Wigan Warriors did the same prior to him.

Even young players like Callum McLelland left Castleford Tigers for rugby union in the early stages of their careers.

Meanwhile, Owen Farrell perhaps should have been a rugby league star given his family heritage but is a household name in the 15-man code.

Sam Burgess also had a try at rugby union in his NRL days and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has done the same in recent times.

But now things could turn on their head.

This comes as the Gallagher Premiership clubs are reportedly “heading for disaster”, having collectively amassed £300 million in net debt over the past six years as they struggle financially.

London Irish featured in a report into the finances of clubs and are considered “high risk” due to low turnover of, at best, £10 million and in excess of £25 million of net debt. Meanwhile, Harlequins have been labelled “concerning” due to their high borrowing of £48 million in the 2021 financial year.

“The club structure is an unsustainable model. It has never made a profit,” private equity director Mike Ryan told the Telegraph.

This could open the door for Super League clubs to potentially lure top rugby union stars over to rugby league.

A Super League switch for Owen Farrell has recently been talked about plenty following an interview with Sam Tomkins prior to the Rugby League World Cup.

Could he be one of many who make the switch?