Super League clubs alerted to 15 transfer opportunities after new quota rules

[josie andrews]

With new rules coming into play, players previously classed as quota players with become exempt.

As news of the new quota rulings coming to Super League emerge, it has opened the door for a very interesting recruitment drive heading into 2026. Rugby League Live revealed earlier today that new rulings are set to be introduced that will see quota players who have spent six consecutive seasons in the competition exempt from the rulings, and therefore no longer be considered as one of a club's seven overseas players.

In essence, it means that once the rules are implemented, though they do remain at the discretion of the RFL board, any player who has played in Super League from 2020 onwards will be exempt. As it stands, the total number of players that apply are 15.

Hull KR appear set to benefit most from the rulings given they have Kelepi Tanginoa and Rhyse Martin who will essentially be freed from their quota contingent come the 2026 season, giving them scope to sign two overseas players during the next recruitment cycle. However, there are players at eight different clubs who will all apply once they're introduced, subject to them still being in the competition.

It's worth noting that players must specifically have played six consecutive seasons in the competition, with any periods in another competition breaking the time period. Good examples of that are Ricky Leutele, who would have been exempt but had a short spell at Melbourne Storm in 2020, and London Broncos' Dean Parata, who has spent seven years in the Northern Hemisphere, but the first six of them were spent in the Championship.

However, there are many eligible, and some big names too, none more so than Wigan Warriors ace Bevan French.

Super League players exempt under new quota rules in 2026

Castleford Tigers
Jacob Miller (2015)

Catalans Dragons
Manu Ma'u (2020), Chris Satae (2019)

Huddersfield Giants
Tui Lolohea (2019), Sebastine Ikahihifo (2016)

Hull FC
Carlos Tuimavave (2016), Ligi Sao (2020)

Hull KR
Matt Parcell (2017), Kelepi Tanginoa (2019), Rhyse Martin (2019)

St Helens
Konrad Hurrell (2019)

Warrington Wolves
Luke Yates (2019), Josh Drinkwater (2018)

Wigan Warriors
Bevan French (2019), Willie Isa (2012)


https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/rugb ... a-29774618

[Wiganer Ted]

Absolutely ludicrous idea.

It could well be that ten to fifteen years ahead a club could have six overseas players who are exempt plus seven overseas players who are on the quota all in the same 17. Just about as daft as an idea as it could get.

The RFL/SL should be doing more to encourage clubs in brining through their scholarship, academy and reserves systems into the first team squad rather than make it easier to bring in overseas players.

Rather than providing quota exemptions to overseas players perhaps they should consider exemptions from the salary cap for any member of the first team squad who has been registered as a player with the RFL for six years up to the age of 23.

If the RFL/SL are looking to improve the quality of the sport in the UK they should be looking to increase the number of UK players in the game. Not looking for the NRL to provide us with players.

[josie andrews]

Absolutely ludicrous idea.

It could well be that ten to fifteen years ahead a club could have six overseas players who are exempt plus seven overseas players who are on the quota all in the same 17. Just about as daft as an idea as it could get.

The RFL/SL should be doing more to encourage clubs in brining through their scholarship, academy and reserves systems into the first team squad rather than make it easier to bring in overseas players.

Rather than providing quota exemptions to overseas players perhaps they should consider exemptions from the salary cap for any member of the first team squad who has been registered as a player with the RFL for six years up to the age of 23.

If the RFL/SL are looking to improve the quality of the sport in the UK they should be looking to increase the number of UK players in the game. Not looking for the NRL to provide us with players.

Exactly Ted!

[nathan_rugby]

It would be sensible if this was only applied if the player had been at the one club for the required duration.

[Firestarter]

It would be sensible if this was only applied if the player had been at the one club for the required duration.

Yes that makes perfect sense so they definately will not do it

[moto748]

I don't think it's unreasonable, and, as noted, it only affects a few players. And there's no reason the RFL can't do this, and encourage more young English players coming through as well. It doesn't have to be one or the other.

[Mike]

It would be sensible if this was only applied if the player had been at the one club for the required duration.

Why?

[nathan_rugby]

It would be sensible if this was only applied if the player had been at the one club for the required duration.

Why?

Because the club then gets the reward of having a quote player on their books for a number of years and then after the required period is lapsed, he is then off your quota…

[morley pie eater]

Apart from commenting on this ruling, I'd like to ask how you get a job as a "journalist" at Leeds Live when you clearly couldn't pass English GCSE.

I'm not snobby about these things and accept, for example, that posters (including myself) don't necessarily use "correct" English. But just as a lorry driver needs to have reasonable eyesight, or an accountant to know their times tables, you'd surely expect a journalist to know a bit of English?

[Mike]

It would be sensible if this was only applied if the player had been at the one club for the required duration.

Why?

Because the club then gets the reward of having a quote player on their books for a number of years and then after the required period is lapsed, he is then off your quota…

Why should a club benefit from bringing over overseas players?