BY JOHN DAVIDSON
An English agent believes the increase in quota players in Super League for 2026 could see opportunities dry up for British homegrown talent and academy products.
Super League will jump from seven quota players per club to 10 next year, with the competition set to expand from 12 to 14 clubs.
Jack Sutton, of JS9 Sports, supports Super League expansion but feels the change has been rushed through, with the impact on the Championship and League 1 not fully considered.
“2027 would have been a more appropriate suggestion to nail the structure and help all involved clubs,” Sutton told rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads.
“A change in Super League also affects the entire pyramid and I am seeing this daily when liaising with clubs currently in the Championship and League 1. That being said, and maybe hypocritical of me, I do feel that the Championship/League 1 merger idea is needed sooner but again, why are decisions only been considered now, it’s August?
“I received a blueprint to the merger idea in September 2023 with details as to what it might look like. You’ll never please everyone, myself included, folk don’t like change management but with change is the need for effective planning, communication and strategic involvement.
“The increase in quota players does concern me that there are less opportunities for homegrown lads and maybe leaves for less reliance of domestic academy use, as the imports have played more senior games at similar ages due to the pathways structure over there being light years ahead. Every Head of Youth knows this.”
Sutton represents players across the three tiers in the UK, including Jay Meyers at Wakefield, Logan Bayliss at Bradford, and Tom Nicholson-Watton at Leeds.
He feels the fact that the salary cap has not been increased remains a challenge for overseas recruitment.
“However, even if we were fortunate enough to increase it centrally, if you’re an NRL regular, are you still going to come?” Sutton admitted.
“We are miles behind their spectacle. My guess is that the increase in quota spots is due to the amount of money that UK players are demanding and an alternate is dipping into the QLD/NSW Cup market where clubs can maybe perform more ‘shrewd’ business, take Caius Faatali, Ethan O’Neill, Cooper Jenkins, for example.
Sutton says it is a stressful time for all players, clubs and agents, with so much unknown about how the sport’s pyramid will look in the coming months.
“We just need clarity, not constantly teased at what might happen,” he said.
“That way, it’ll help everyone make decisions for 2026 and beyond. If you believe everything you read, my guys at London might as well be in Super League one day, then still in the Championship the next.
“The constant unknowns and potential possibilities are giving everyone anxieties… but hopefully the proposed changes voted for by the clubs will all be worth it longer term.”
