A fourteen-team Super League was finally confirmed today with the announcement that Toulouse Olympique XIII and York Knights will join the competition in 2026. It follows months of speculation and intrigue into which clubs from the second tier might get the nod (alongside a few applicants from Super League, whose status was confirmed through the IMG rankings), and much to many people’s surprise, the panel has landed on this choice, elevating a second French team, and a team who has never played in the Super League.

The big surprise is, of course, the exclusion of the London Broncos from the top flight. On the face of it, it should have been an obvious choice. After all, London finished tenth in the Championship season, way off a playoff spot, much less anywhere near Toulouse and York. However, the past few weeks have seen much change in the Capital, with new owners, headed by NRL legend Darren Lockyer, new coach Jason Demetriou has come over from the NRL, as have a few headline-grabbing signings for the playing team in 2026, leading many to believe that they were a shoo-in for inclusion by the panel.

It is, however, the opinion of this writer that the correct decision has been reached by the panel, headed by Lord Caine. After all, York enjoyed a dominant season, finishing with both the 1895 Cup and the Championship League Leaders’ Shield, only missing out to Toulouse in the Grand Final due to their own ill-discipline. Toulouse, as Championship Grand Final winners, have every right to be there as well, and with both teams having access to excellent facilities and sizeable home fanbases, the choice seems like the only correct conclusion the panel could have come to.

For Toulouse, it sees them return to the competition they have only featured in for a solitary season. In 2022, they fought valiantly all season, but were still comfortably relegated eight points behind Warrington Wolves, who finished eleventh. Coach Sylvain Houles will be hoping to prove his sides Super League mettle the second time around.

Meanwhile, York Knights will play their maiden Super League season in 2026. The last time top-flight rugby league was played in the Minster City was in the 1985-86 winter season. They have already secured several Super League quality signings such as Paul Vaughn and Sam Wood, and will be hoping that their stay at the top table will not be a one-season wonder.

Written by Nathan Major (site editor & Hull KR fan)