The three Championship clubs who could be in Super League next season

VaselineMay 19, 2024

0 3 minutes read

The three Championship clubs who could be in Super League next season

The 2025 campaign marks the first in which the Super League line-up will be based entirely on scoring criteria, and while this is a controversial point, it is certainly one that creates a lot of uncertainty.

For now, all that is certain is that A-grade clubs will be in Super League and when the preliminary ratings were published in October, there were seven such clubs. One of those was Hull FC, however, who sneaked into A Grade with 15.05 points, even breaking the magic 15 point mark.

Despite the club’s poor form throughout 2023, it is expected that even if Hull FC lose their Grade A status, they will still have plenty of points in the bag. Huddersfield Giants and Salford Red Devils are also understood to be doing too, with Salford resolving any stadium issues earlier this year.

Where it becomes more of a guessing game as to their Super League status is with clubs like Leigh Leopards, Castleford Tigers, London Broncos and those sides at the top of the Championship.

Two Championship sides Toulouse Olympique and Wakefield Trinity were actually ahead of Leigh and Castleford, while London came 24th, but claimed they were considering a bid to potentially secure their Super League status through other means .

London Broncos’ ‘proposal’ creates more questions than answers regarding Super League status

Following London’s first win of the season on Sunday, head coach Mike Eccles has since spoken of “IMG already relegated”, while revealing details of their “proposal”.

He said: “We’re starting with that, the club is putting together a proposal on where we think we should go and hopefully it gives us an opportunity to stay in the competition.”

Jon Wilkin previously labeled London’s situation as “embarrassing”, claiming that “the sport is over” with clubs such as Hull FC able to sell players knowing they are safe, while London look certain to be . downgraded

That is until London unveils this proposal, and while what it entails is unclear, it could be a game-changer. What is almost certain is that there will be movement between the Super League and the Championship for the 2025 season. Here are three of those Championship teams that could be on the move.

Which Championship teams could be in Super League in 2025?

Credit: Imago Images

Trinity Wakefield

There seems to be a consensus of thought that Wakefield Trinity will be in Super League in 2025 and their recruitment suggests that those at the club think so too. The signings of England and Catalans Dragons duo Mike McMeeken and Tom Johnstone on four-year deals make it clear that both the players and the club are confident of Super League status.

Coupled with being in the top 12 in the preliminary rankings, it looks like Trinity’s time outside the Super League will be limited to just one season.

Olympic Toulouse

Another team that has been in the Super League in recent years is Toulouse, and the French side scored very well when the preliminary marks were released. They sat in the top twelve, but there have been questions about what they have done since those grades were announced to improve them.

The likes of Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity have gone about their business quite openly in terms of stadium redevelopment and new investment, while the Olympians have been much more subdued in their approach. Obviously, they have a high capture score and that won’t change, but in a big blow Toulouse will lose their 12th place from the 2021 season and see it replaced by their Championship place this year. That could be crucial.

Bradford Bulls

How good would it be to see Bradford back in the big time? For now it seems to be just a nostalgic thought, with the Bulls having the same problem as always. Odsal. Their stadium is simply not up to standard and is dragging down their score massively, meaning that, barring a huge redevelopment in the next few months before the IMG ratings are confirmed, it’s hard to see a way back for Bradford. They are, however, one to watch for the future, especially if they can get investment in their facilities.

VaselineMay 19, 2024

0 3 minutes read