Super League to expand to 14 teams from 2026
After the reduction to 12 teams 10 years ago, Super League has operated a loop fixture system, where teams fill the gap in fixtures by playing additional matches against four teams.Those fixtures are currently decided based on league placings from the previous season.Since 2015, the league has operated a number of structures, including a late-season split structure during which clubs would play 23 games and then be divided into three pools of eight, involving the 24 teams making up Super League and the Championship.The top 'Super 8s' group played seven further games, with the top four at that stage progressing to contest places in the Super League Grand Final.However, that format was ended before the 2019 campaign which saw each top-flight team play a total of 29 regular season fixtures, including six additional loop games.In 2022, after two Covid-affected seasons, that was reduced to the 27-game format currently in use.
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South Wales Guardian
16 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Chris Woakes ‘all in' and will bat with dislocated shoulder if needed
For the fifth Test in a row, the game is going all the way to the final day after a nerve-wracking fourth evening left all results possible. Brilliant centuries from Root (105) and Harry Brook (111) had England cruising towards a remarkable chase, set fair on 301 for three hunting 374, but they lost three late wickets to leave things in the balance. Bad light and rain halted a thrilling conclusion in its tracks, with England needing 35 runs and India seeking four more wickets. Look who's in his whites in the dressing room 👀 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 3, 2025 One of those belongs to Woakes, who has not featured since badly damaging his left shoulder while fielding on Friday. He was ruled out of the game the next morning but has remained with the team and is willing to bat at number 11 with his arm in a sling if required. 'You probably saw him in his whites in the dressing room. He's all in, like the rest of us,' said Root. 'Clearly, he's in a huge amount of pain. But it means a huge amount to him and it just shows the character and the person that he is, that he's willing to put his body on the line like that for England. 'If it does come to that, hopefully he can get us across the line and win an incredible series.' Root was not surprised to see a dramatic end unfold after almost seven weeks of full-blooded battle but, having done a huge amount of the heavy lifting alongside Brook, still fancies England to triumph. 'It was always going to happen like this wasn't it? Just look at the first four games,' he said. 'It's been amazing to play in and quite fitting that we're going to get that kind of finish. It's been one hell of a series, one hell of a journey, and there's clearly confidence in our dressing room. I'd like to think we've got what we need to get across the line.' Root had earlier marked his 39th Test hundred, and third this summer, with a touching tribute to the late Graham Thorpe. The former Test batter, who took his own life last year, enjoyed a close relationship with Root during his time as England's assistant coach. When he reached three figures, Root produced one of the Thorpe-inspired white headbands Surrey have been selling to raise funds for the MIND mental health charity and wore it as he looked to the skies. 'That was on behalf of our team. It was just a thank you for everything that he's given the game of cricket, and given English cricket, on and off the field,' he said. 'It's been amazing to recognise everything that he's done as a player, as a coach, as a mentor, as a friend to the dressing room and to the game. 'It was really great to see the amount of love that there is for him and for his family.' India's quicks had found wonderful rhythm before the weather intervened and would probably have liked to try and finish the job while the mood was with them. A night's break and an extra use of the heavy roller could play into England's hands but a saturated outfield meant the tourists were not complaining about the umpires' decision. 'We can see it's pretty wet out there,' said bowling coach Morne Morkel. 'In a way that's out of our control so all we can focus on is doing a good warm-up in the morning, get the boys ready to get the ball in the right area and create a little bit of excitement again.'
Rhyl Journal
16 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Chris Woakes ‘all in' and will bat with dislocated shoulder if needed
For the fifth Test in a row, the game is going all the way to the final day after a nerve-wracking fourth evening left all results possible. Brilliant centuries from Root (105) and Harry Brook (111) had England cruising towards a remarkable chase, set fair on 301 for three hunting 374, but they lost three late wickets to leave things in the balance. Bad light and rain halted a thrilling conclusion in its tracks, with England needing 35 runs and India seeking four more wickets. Look who's in his whites in the dressing room 👀 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 3, 2025 One of those belongs to Woakes, who has not featured since badly damaging his left shoulder while fielding on Friday. He was ruled out of the game the next morning but has remained with the team and is willing to bat at number 11 with his arm in a sling if required. 'You probably saw him in his whites in the dressing room. He's all in, like the rest of us,' said Root. 'Clearly, he's in a huge amount of pain. But it means a huge amount to him and it just shows the character and the person that he is, that he's willing to put his body on the line like that for England. 'If it does come to that, hopefully he can get us across the line and win an incredible series.' Root was not surprised to see a dramatic end unfold after almost seven weeks of full-blooded battle but, having done a huge amount of the heavy lifting alongside Brook, still fancies England to triumph. 'It was always going to happen like this wasn't it? Just look at the first four games,' he said. 'It's been amazing to play in and quite fitting that we're going to get that kind of finish. It's been one hell of a series, one hell of a journey, and there's clearly confidence in our dressing room. I'd like to think we've got what we need to get across the line.' Root had earlier marked his 39th Test hundred, and third this summer, with a touching tribute to the late Graham Thorpe. The former Test batter, who took his own life last year, enjoyed a close relationship with Root during his time as England's assistant coach. When he reached three figures, Root produced one of the Thorpe-inspired white headbands Surrey have been selling to raise funds for the MIND mental health charity and wore it as he looked to the skies. 'That was on behalf of our team. It was just a thank you for everything that he's given the game of cricket, and given English cricket, on and off the field,' he said. 'It's been amazing to recognise everything that he's done as a player, as a coach, as a mentor, as a friend to the dressing room and to the game. 'It was really great to see the amount of love that there is for him and for his family.' India's quicks had found wonderful rhythm before the weather intervened and would probably have liked to try and finish the job while the mood was with them. A night's break and an extra use of the heavy roller could play into England's hands but a saturated outfield meant the tourists were not complaining about the umpires' decision. 'We can see it's pretty wet out there,' said bowling coach Morne Morkel. 'In a way that's out of our control so all we can focus on is doing a good warm-up in the morning, get the boys ready to get the ball in the right area and create a little bit of excitement again.'
Daily Mail
17 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Celtic 1-0 St Mirren: Lack of bite could come back to haunt Brendan Rodgers' toothless Bhoys
Celtic might very well have added the necessary fire power to their armoury by the time the transfer window closes on September 1. The trouble is that their season started here. That date had been in a diary for long enough. So why, then, did they find themselves three minutes away from making the most inauspicious start to their title defence? Answers on a postcard, please. Even though Luke McCowan struck late on to save the day, no-one who witnessed a display which lacked so much conviction in the final third would have left the ground overly impressed. It was adequate rather than awe-inspiring. Notwithstanding the fact that Brendan Rodgers ' side fashioned plenty of chances and struck the woodwork three times, they never looked like getting the job done with much to spare. On balance, they absolutely deserved to win the contest. But it was a display which again underscored the need for some serious footballers to be added at the top end of the field. Quite simply, no side can lose players of the ilk of Kyogo Furuhashi and Nicolas Kuhn and not miss a beat. And the longer Celtic go on without addressing the blatantly obvious, the greater the chance that they'll come unstuck. It would be stretching matters to suggest the Parkhead side got away with one here. They were the better side. They created more opportunities. Yet the fact is that only a deflected strike by McCowan finally got them over the line. While they deserved credit for showing the mentality of champions and going right to the last, it was far from vintage. A summer of hitherto underwhelming transfer activity was reflected in Rodgers' side. Kieran Tierney and Benjamin Nygren were the only fresh faces from last season. Hyun-jun Yang delivered in flashes last season yet started here on the right. He again offered little creatively to suggest he's the answer. With Daizen Maeda required on the other flank, Adam Idah was always going to be selected in the forward role. Maeda finished a tough shift by providing the late assist for McCowan. Idah couldn't convert any of the hatful of half chances that fell his way. Fraser Taylor had been the League One player of the year while on loan at Arbroath last season. Stephen Robinson thought highly enough of the diminutive midfielder to throw him in from the start at Celtic Park. Before kick-off, the trophy that Celtic set out to defend was carried into the stadium by one of the club's all-time greats in Paul McStay. This was never going to be a formality for Rodgers' players. Saints had taken a point here in the final match of last season with the core of the team that had chalked up three successive top-six finishes remaining intact. The Paisley side were characteristically organised and calm as Celtic went in search of the first goal of their campaign. Idah had already fired Alistair Johnston's cross the wrong side of the upright when he rose to meet Tierney's cross. Shamal George collected his header as it bounced back up off the lush surface. You suspect Tierney's partnership with Maeda will cause opposition teams endless problems once their understanding develops. One sharp exchange allowed the Scot to pick out Idah with another centre. This time the Irishman's header was off target. Quick thinking by Callum McGregor caught Saints napping as they defended a free-kick. Maeda ran clear, rounded George, but found the angle too tight to convert. Celtic created chances. Just not enough that you would class gilt-edged. The visitors were also alive to any danger. Jayden Richardson typified their diligence with a perfectly timed block to prevent Maeda bundling home Johnston's deep low cross. Next for a pat on the back from his keeper was Alex Gogic who managed to steer Tierney's fizzing strike away for a corner. For all Celtic were on top, the visitors were not without their moments of promise. Kasper Schmeichel did well to spring to his left to beat away Mark O'Hara's swerving strike. Nygren then found Idah with a cute chip over the top. The striker's poor connection made for another easy take for George. The Saints keeper was starting to enjoy this challenge. He denied Celtic's Swedish midfielder with a superb tip onto the underside of his crossbar, the assist coming from Maeda's acceleration and cross. It was more of the same from Celtic after the interval. Lots of the ball. Plenty moments that brought the supporters to the edge of their seats. But a distinct lack of bite. McGregor's snapshot went through a defender's legs and threatened to creep in. George pounced on the ball. Nygren's deep cross was met by the head of Maeda. This time the keeper wasn't required. Reo Hatate's shot from the edge of the box wasn't troubling George until it deflected off Marcus Fraser and on to the bar. James Forrest — who turned 34 this month — replaced the ineffective Yang, with Auston Trusty required to shed his tracksuit top after Tierney indicated he had an issue. Mercifully for the home support, it appears the returning star was only suffering from a bout of cramp. Veteran winger Forrest made an immediate impact, driving from right to centre and sparking panic in the visiting defence. Mark O'Hara's attempt to walk the ball out of trouble was cut off by McGregor. The skipper smashed the ball home with his left foot. Parkhead celebrated until VAR correctly identified that McGregor had handled the ball before letting fly. With frustration starting to grow, Idah took Liam Scales' cross on his chest and smashed the ball against the post. Only Cameron Carter-Vickers' smart positioning prevented sub Oisin Smyth from giving Saints the lead with his first touch. Forrest passed up a decent chance to get the job done when he fired a volley into the stand. Those among the home support who made for the exit at that moment would regret it. With just two minutes remaining, the tireless Maeda picked out McCowan lurking on the edge of the box. There appeared to be too many legs in his way, yet he shuffled the ball onto his favoured left foot, hit cleanly through it and finally beat George with the help of a deflection. By the skin of their teeth, Celtic had got the job done. Celtic (4-3-3): Schmeichel 7; Johnston 6.5, Carter-Vickers 6.5, Scales 6.5, Tierney 7 (Trusty 65); McGregor 7, Hatate 6.5 (McCowan 78), Nygren 6 (Engels 78); Yang 4.5 (Forrest 59) Idah 5.5 (Kenny 78), Maeda 6.5. Booked: Engels. Manager: Brendan Rodgers 7. St Mirren (5-3-2): George 7; Richardson 6.5 (Sobowale 78) Fraser 6, Gogic 7, King 6.5 (Dijksteel 90), John 6.5; Phillips 6.5, O'Hara 6.5, Taylor 5.5 (Ayunga 45); Idowu 6 (Smyth 78), Mandron 6 (Mooney 78). Booked: Idowu.
