It would be ‘idiotic’ not to allow York Knights and the other promoted sides a second season in Super League, the club’s head coach Mark Applegarth has claimed amid the North Yorkshire club possibly being on the bubble for relegation.
The composition of Super League for 2027 will once again be determined by IMG gradings but it’s still unclear if that will be a 14-team or possibly even a 15-team competition.
One thing that is widely expected is that London Broncos will be promoted with the runaway Championship leaders ranking 16th last year, just behind Salford Red Devils who have since reformed as Salford RLFC.
After recent reports that the club asked for an advance on their central funding, the Knights are being talked about as a side that could well finish outside the top 14 with Huddersfield Giants, the side they just knocked off at Magic Weekend, another team potentially on the brink.
When asked about the club’s future in Super League, Applegarth responded: “I don’t really pay attention to all that outside noise because it’s not in my control, is it?
“We always knew this year was going to be a building year. Coming up, I think we had four weeks’ notice and half funding. I think, bang for your buck, we’ve put together a real good squad, and I think it’s great to give some lads some opportunity to see who can be on this journey with us.”
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York Knights to offer plenty more to Super League
The Knights have won five games in Super League this year, a record that they share with fellow promoted side Bradford and Toulouse, but also with long-established Super League side Hull FC.
They’re also six points clear of Huddersfield after beating them at Magic Weekend and York boss Applegarth believes that the Knights have more to offer to Super League.
He argued: “I still think there’s loads more to come from York. I think we’ve got to grow it. I think it’s a great area to grow Rugby League in. All the ingredients are there with the stadium, the pathway’s growing again.
“Obviously, we’d have our maiden year in Super League over and done with, and we can kind of build on that but what happens is out of my control.”
He also explained his belief that it would be ‘idiotic’ not to have more foresight than just 12 months, though he insisted his focus will be on the off-field results, which could well play a part as the ‘Performance’ pillar of the IMG grading is now worth six points, rather than five.
“I’d like to think that we’re not short-sighted as if to go 12 months and bang,” he said.
“I think any new team, so you can class some others in there too, can’t you, I think it would be idiotic not to give it time to grow.
“All I can do is control what I can, which is coaching the team. The players will continue playing how they are. I know there’s probably some talk behind the scenes to get all that finalised as soon as possible.”
Anonymous
July 6, 2026 at 8:14 pm
Answer me this if they chose to go 15 teams how does magic weekend work. Given they have announced it already for next year.
John
July 7, 2026 at 2:33 am
15th team in IMG ratings doesn’t take part.
Sounds rubbish, but which would you rather be. Team 15 which just misses out on a SL place, or be team 15 with a place in SL but don’t get to take part at Magic??