WELCOME to 2026, a Rugby League World Cup year.
You know, 12 months when the England side – sorry, Wales, Scotland and Ireland but you are not there – should be the priority.
But in fact when there is not even a training session in the calendar ahead of flying to Australia.
An early decision is likely to decide whether there should be a change of coach.
However, Shaun Wane’s job prospects should not be the first thing to consider – a new attitude to Test rugby should be.
England is rugby league’s biggest brand. Wigan should be huge in Wigan, Leeds in Leeds, KR and FC in Hull. England should be huge everywhere.
Put yourself in the shoes of Dave the digger driver from Dagenham.
Would you give much of a toss about what happens with clubs predominantly in the M62 corridor? But would you be interested in England’s fortunes?
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That is where the focus should be, the floating fan who will recognise England ahead of St Helens, Castleford and Wakefield – and there are plenty of those up north too.
However, the sport has handed far too much control to the clubs – and there are two more of them in Super League.
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I hope I am wrong but the elevation of Bradford, Toulouse and York looks more likely to make the bottom three a bottom five.
And the most interesting stories lie outside the top flight.
Will London Broncos’ Aussie takeover finally make them the real deal, as they go through the Championship unbeaten?
Will Salford’s rebirth under a group led by ex-player Mason Caton-Brown after being wound up following a horror 2025 be glorious or will it fizzle out?
Either way, the prevailing attitude of fans there must be ‘something is better than nothing.’
Wane called for more quality, intense league games as the gap between Super League and the NRL was highlighted in the Ashes whitewash.
Will upping the competition here to 14 teams provide them? I hope so.
Would I be surprised if it does? Definitely.
Will there be a change of attitude towards making England the pinnacle? Sadly, I doubt it very much.
