Its a bit late for 1st April so must be true Toronto is a great city but is there any interest in rugby league in canada ???

out of interest i googled a three night stay for 2 people in august including flights thats £1500 so once eating/drinking/transport and lesuire cost are paid you wont get any change for 2K for a weekend trip !!! at least Toronto are paying all costs for the away team.

They have signed some good coaches and have lots of money and will no doubt attract a lot of fringe or ageing super league stars especially when they get promoted to the championship so in two years time the championship will look very difficult toulouse have beat leigh this season so i would imagine they will get promoted this season and be an contender for the top 4 next season and now toronto could be a contender for the top 4 in two seasons time if they sign the right players.

So where does this leave sheffield no crowds no ground and an ageing team on the downgrade !!!!


Toronto Wolfpack will join English rugby league's third tier from next season.

The Canada-based side will be coached by former Leigh boss Paul Rowley, while ex-Great Britain coach Brian Noble has been appointed as head of rugby.

On Monday, former Leeds Rhinos prop Jamie Peacock revealed he had nearly signed for the newly formed club.

They will be the second overseas team to play in League 1, along with French side Toulouse.

The Wolfpack will play home games in four-week or five-week blocks before heading over to Europe for a similar length of time for a series of away games.

Teams visiting Toronto's Lamport Stadium home, who will have their expenses covered by the Canadian side, will fly out on Thursday, play on Saturday and return home on Sunday.

"We have worked closely with the Canadian club's officials and investors in the last few years and have no doubts that Toronto Wolfpack will enhance a competition which has already established a reputation for welcoming new clubs," RFL chief executive Nigel Wood said.

"Rugby league has always had a pioneering philosophy throughout its history and this initiative offers further evidence of the sport's wide appeal and readiness to embrace innovation."

Canada's got talent?

As well as looking to recruit experienced players currently playing in the third tier and the Championship, the Canadian team are participating in a reality TV series called "Last Tackle" to unearth players from North America.

Wolfpack chief executive Eric Perez added: "Sports fans have long waited for a trans-Atlantic major league team and we're proud to be the first with the launch of our club, the Toronto Wolfpack."

Interesting post Duggs. Don't think I will be paying close on £2K for a weekend in Toronto. I'm all for expanding the game but this seems to be an expansion too far.

In answer to your point about where does this leave Sheffield Eagles I would say back to a part time team with maybe 3 full timers, playing in a cowshed at Heeley farm.

They get 6000 crowds for their internationals.

Which is a lot more than we get after 32 years of professional rugby in Sheffield.

Fair enough good luck to them i wish there is the same support for a south yorkshire team but i know that we never ever happen in my lifetime and ii am still in my 40's !!!

I don't think we had crowds of that size in Superleague very often. Take away the Dewsbury supporters tonight would lead me to suggest maybe 300 to 350 Eagles supporters were there tonight. It is going to be an uphill climb to get even a half decent crowd of around 1000.