BBC Sport rugby league reporter Matt Newsum
Having posted the ‘next best’ IMG grading scores in the overall rankings, it seemed a safe bet to assume York and Toulouse would be the next cabs off the rank to join the extended Super League for 2026.
The independent panel said they were seeking robust evidence of financial sustainability and strong forecast evidence of continued growth in that sector, and these two clubs were able to demonstrate that in their application.
For York, Super League is an achievement scarcely thought achievable or believable in the nomadic days of old, at Huntington, Bootham Crescent or even Heworth.
But, now based at the purpose built LNER Stadium, fresh from a league-topping campaign under Mark Applegarth in the men’s Championship and another strong performance from their women’s side – already a Super League club – York tick plenty of boxes in terms of a positive prospect for the top tier.
Clint Goodchild has spent money to enhance both teams, and that investment will be crucial now as York seek to narrow the gap on their new top tier rivals.
Toulouse had a taste of the Super League back in 2022 following promotion in the traditional manner but only won five of their 27 games to finish clear bottom of the table.
Yet they have ambitious owners keen to pump in money to build a strong team in a rugby-mad city and with Perpignan-based Catalans also in the competition, there is a sense of strength in numbers given some of the resistance within sections of the sport to the French clubs regarding the lack of away support and contribution to television deal funding.
Sylvain Houles will know the challenge they face to compete with relatively short time to prepare for next season on top of their travel and logistical headaches.
However, for both Toulouse and York the grading system might just give them a little more time and space to match their off-field acumen on the pitch.
There has been talk of reduced central funding for the two new clubs given the game’s wider income has not changed, so in that sense these two new clubs will be up against it when it comes to challenging their new rivals if their backers do not cover the shortfall.
