Since the Rugby League faces an important moment in its modern history, the Nigel Wood has returned to the spotlight to guide a strategic review for the purpose of renewing the future of the game.
Wood, who resigned as chief executive of the Rugby Football League in the 10 -year helme, has returned to the scene to lead the game during uncertainty and opportunities.
This review, which has been released in 2025, has been given the task of evaluating the current state of the game, aimed at making the Rugby League products more attractive and more attractive for private investment as much as possible.
“We have been told to see where the game is in 2025, to see the diagnosis of root and branch, from top to bottom, downstream.” Bench with Gina and June.
“What are the challenges, we need to do what it can make to make it the best possible competition, which can be the most investment and suggest it is the most investment.
“There is a hunger from the owners that it is probably a better way to say that. They want to make sure that whatever they take in the market is the best possible version of themselves.”
Wood confirmed that the extension would be on the table, which would discuss the extension of the Betfraved Super League to 12 to 14 teams, but it was emphasized that caution was needed.
He explained, “We must follow and follow the expansion strategy – but not careless.”
This review will also review the controversial grading system introduced under the IMG partnership with the game.
Although the Wood supports the principle of increasing quality, he asks whether the current model has become very complex and disturbing.
“There is room for minimum standards,” he said. “But even though it should be as much as it is, it’s a different thing.”
The Wood is clear that the review of the review will not be immediately, instead of setting it immediately, it will be described as “evolution”.
With the expectation of some changes in the next season and others were linked to the next broadcast cycle in 2027, this process is designed for long -term effects.
“If more and more people are playing, more taxes, more people are playing, and we are more successful internationally – it will be a great barometer of success,” he said.
The future of France in the Rugby League
The most controversial aspect of review is the future of French clubs in a British league system.
Wood, who played a key role in bringing the Catalan Dragon to the Super League in the early 2000s, has a strong supporter of his participation – but he believes the terms need to be re -examined.
He says, “The problem is not whether they are inside – what terms they are.”
The actual rational to include French clubs was three times: to strengthen the French national team, generate broadcasting income from France and offer fans a unique travel destination.
Wood admitted, “Twenty years later, only the last of these three has been achieved.”
He pointed to the economic influence of British fans traveling to France – citing a recent example, where 4,000 Lee’s supporters have estimated Catalan’s journey that spent $ 4 million – but the imbalance in mutual cooperation has been noted.
“Not upside down,” he says. “We have to find a way to work for the benefit of both the British Sports and the French game.”
Despite the challenges, the wood is unclear about the French representation in the Super League.
“A lot of confidence,” he says. “And be happy with it.”
In this season, watch each Super League game live on Sky Sports – which includes two matches at each period, with the remaining four matches shown every week through the Red Button on Sky Sports+.