England head coach Brian McDermott has called for the Super League to accept investment from Australia's National Rugby League to help improve the English game. Discussions are ongoing after Super League clubs rejected a £35m package from the Australian Rugby League Commission, allowing a second deadline of 15 October to pass without reaching an agreement. Formalising a partnership between the two leading competitions is viewed as a key step to grow revenue for the European competition. McDermott, who also serves as assistant coach of the Gold Coast Titans, stated that the product and players have never been the problem, but rather how the sport is marketed and presented. The Super League faces uncertainties ahead of the 2027 campaign, as it has yet to agree a new title sponsorship deal, finalise broadcast negotiations or confirm its full fixture list, while the London Broncos' position remains undetermined. Any completed deal with the Australian governing body is understood to involve an insistence that the Broncos feature in the top flight in the near future. The financial disparity between the hemispheres was highlighted when the NRL secured a record $5.3bn, equivalent to £3.97bn, television deal over seven years in July, compared to the Super League's TV agreement with Sky Sports worth around £21.5m per year, which expired at the end of 2026. McDermott noted that financial backing would also help widen the pool of talent for future England coaches by improving junior preparation and facilities.
Sports
England coach Brian McDermott urges Super League to accept NRL investment
A proposed partnership could secure the future of the English competition, as talks continue following the rejection of a previous £35m package.
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