Latest news with #CatalansDragons
The Guardian
a day ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Super League could expand to 14 teams in 2026 but crucial vote awaits
Super League could expand to 14 teams as early as next year if a strategic review led by the Rugby Football League's interim chair, Nigel Wood, can convince the existing 12 teams that expansion is financially viable for 2026. Wood, the governing body's former chief executive who was brought back earlier this year after clubs decided he should lead a review that would scrutinise all aspects of the professional game in the United Kingdom. That included whether there is room for French clubs Catalans Dragons and Toulouse, as well as the sport's long-term partnership with IMG. Their recommendations in 2022 suggested that Super League should only expand when there were enough clubs reaching the highest bracket in their gradings criteria. But Wood's review, which will be delivered to clubs next month at a meeting in Wakefield, will recommend a move to 14 as early as next year. Crucially, the Guardian has been told that more and more support has been garnered for that idea in recent weeks, with one high-ranking figure suggesting it was 'as good as a done deal'. However, there remains scepticism from some elite clubs about the financial impact expanding Super League would have for the existing 12 teams, which could be the big stumbling block. The central distribution each club receives has shrunk drastically with the value of the competition's TV deal shrinking from £40mper year a decade ago to around £21m in 2025. Some clubs who are open to 14 teams are only keen to commit to the idea once they have seen commitments on whether or not their central distribution would reduce further owing to more teams being in the competition. However, the Guardian has been told that one idea that has been floated among the corridors of ambitious Championship clubs would be for two clubs to join the elite and receive minimal – or even no – central distribution in 2026, with the hope that the sport can then secure an increased TV deal for 2027 when the current Sky contract ends. That would lead to an almighty scramble to become one of the two teams added to Super League with four clubs – Toulouse, Bradford, York and London – all believing they could step up for next year. It is understood that at least two of those teams would be willing to do so without distribution for one year, too. But expansion to 14 would not be received well by the National Rugby League (NRL), who remain interested in taking control of the competition in an attempt to revive its fortunes. Their preference would be to actually reduce Super League to 10 teams, not increase it. One official in Australia believes that if clubs go with Wood's proposals given his unpopularity in the corridors of the NRL, it would effectively spell the end of any meaningful interest in a deal between the two competitions. The RFL have been approached for comment.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Hull forward Balmforth moves to Catalans on loan
Hull FC forward Denive Balmforth has joined Catalans Dragons on loan for the rest of the 21, who usually plays as hooker, has played 10 times in Super League this the youngster will now spend the rest of the campaign in Dragons, who are ninth in the table and have lost their past seven games in all competitions, face fellow strugglers Huddersfield Giants at home this Saturday.
BBC News
7 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Leigh survive scare to beat Catalans and go third
Betfred Super LeagueCatalans Dragons (6) 12Tries: Pangai Junior, Makinson Goals: Makinson 2Leigh Leopards (12) 26Tries: Niu, Brand, Ofahengaue, Armstrong Goals: O'Brien 5 Joe Ofahengaue and David Armstrong scored late tries as Leigh Leopards beat Catalans Dragons 26-12 to go third in Super had come from 12-0 down to level through tries from Tevita Pangai Junior and Tommy Makinson but fell to a sixth-straight league Niu and Keanan Brand had both crossed to help give Leigh a half-time ran away with the game when Pangai Junior was sent to the sin-bin for a late tackle, but Gareth O'Brien's performance with the boot was crucial as he scored a penalty before full-time to add to his four to follow Catalans Dragons: Tomkins, Makinson, Laguerre, Darrelatour, Cotric, Keary, Rouge, Satae, Da Costa, Maria, Romano, Seguier, PartingtonInterchanges: Pangai Juniorr, Bousquet, Sironen, DezariaLeigh Leopards: Armstrong, McIntosh, Niu, Hanley, Brand, O'Brien, Lam, Ofahengaue, Ipape, Mulhern, Halton, Trout, LiuInterchanges: Tuitavake, Davis, O'Neill, McNamaraReferee: Liam Rush
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
DISCIPLINARY: Catalans skipper facing lengthy ban that would include Wire clash
Ben Garcia is sent off by referee Tom Grant during Catalans Dragons' defeat at Hull KR (Image: John Clifton/ WARRINGTON Wolves' trip to Catalans Dragons may still be a month away – but the Dragons could be without their captain for the game in Perpignan. That will be the case of forward Ben Garcia is handed the attached punishment following his sending-off against Hull KR on Friday night. Advertisement The Dragons skipper was red-carded during the first half for throwing punches at several Rovers players and has now been charged with Grade E striking by the Match Review Panel. His case will be heard at tomorrow's Operational Rules Tribunal and if he is found guilty, he faces a minimum ban of six matches which would include The Wire's visit to the Stade Gilbert Brutus on Saturday, July 12. Garcia is one of six players charged following this weekend's Round 14 fixtures, with no Warrington players on this week's rap sheet. Match Review Panel charges, Super League Round 14 Franck Maria (Catalans Dragons) – Opposition: Hull KR – Grade C Head Contact – Fine – Penalty Points: 5 – Total Penalty Points: 5 Advertisement Benjamin Garcia (Catalans Dragons) – Opposition: Hull KR – Grade E Striking – Refer to Tribunal Chris Satae (Catalans Dragons) – Opposition: Hull KR – Grade A Contrary Behaviour – No further action – Penalty Points: 1 – Total Penalty Points: 1 Kruise Leeming (Wigan Warriors) – Opposition: Huddersfield Giants – Grade B Head Contact – Fine – Penalty Points: 3 – Total Penalty Points: 3 Moses Mbye (St Helens) – Opposition: Salford Red Devils – Grade B Dangerous Contact – Fine – Penalty Points: 3 – Total Penalty Points: 4 Joe Ofahengaue (Leigh Leopards) – Opposition: Wakefield Trinity – Grade A Late contact on passer – No further action – Penalty Points: 1 – Total Penalty Points: 1
BBC News
13-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hull KR demolish Catalans with 12-try win
Betfred Super LeagueHull KR (36) 68Tries: Davies, Batchelor 2, Sue 2, Tanginoa, Broadbent, Lewis 2, Booth, Whitbread, May Goals: Mourgue 10Catalans Dragons (0) 6Tries: Keary Goals: Aispuro-Bichet Challenge Cup hero Tom Davies helped Hull KR continue their celebrations by opening the scoring in their 12-try Super League demolition of a Catalans Dragons side that had captain Benjamin Garcia red carded in the first snatched a late winner to earn the Robins their first cup win for 45 years just six days earlier, but was quick to break the deadlock at a packed Craven Park that witnessed Catalans slump to a club-record Batchelor and Sauaso Sue added to the score before Dragons were momentarily down to 11 men, with Garcia sent off just two minutes after Franck Maria was sin-binned.A second Batchelor score and further tries Kelepi Tanginoa, Jack Broadbent and Mikey Lewis put Hull KR 36-0 up at the got a second try of his own before Luke Keary managed to end Catalans' points drought with their first try in four games, but another Lewis score and late Noah Booth, Jai Whitbread and Tyrone May tries ensured the Super League leaders mercilessly moved four points clear at the to follow. Hull KR: Mourgue; Davies, Hiku, Broadbent, Booth; Lewis, May; Sue, Litten, Hadley, Whitbread, Batchelor, Tanginoa, Brown, Doro, Aispuro-Bichet; Makinson, Laguerre, Smith, Cotric; Keary, Fages; Satae, Da Costa, Bousquet, Romano, Garcia, Pangai Jnr, Sims, Sironen, card: Garcia 27 Maria 25 Tom Grant.
