The Rugby League Council, the sport’s decision-making body which comprises representatives from all three professional competitions and the community game, have today voted in favour of Club Grading – the first recommendation from IMG, the sport’s long term strategic partner, as part of the Reimagining Rugby League strategy.
In a Special General Meeting in Huddersfield, the Yorkshire town where the rebel rugby code was formed as the Northern Union in 1895, the recommendations were supported by a majority of clubs in each of the three professional competitions, and received unanimous support from the community game.
This was a big change and the next big change could be a move to more marquee players in Super League.
Speaking on Sky Sports today, Jon Wells reported that in May a potential increase of the number of marquee players from two to three in squads allowing Super League clubs to pay higher wages to three players rather than two which will not count on the cap.
However, one of them must be British or French.
Wells reported: “Put the 10th of May in your diary. This could be a significant one as I understand that this could be when clubs are presented with changes to the number and governance of clubs’ marquee player allowances in Super League
“Including the merits of an increase from two to three under the proviso one is at least is reserved for a domestic or federation trained player in what would be a clear move to allow Super League clubs keep that top English talent and stop them going over to the NRL without directly increasing the salary cap.”