With no full-time clubs in the city from 2022, the ramifications could be grave for a sport already struggling to make an impact
Rugby league is about to enter a new era, with a reduced broadcast deal with Sky Sports likely to result in restructuring and a reduction in the number of professional clubs. Some will fold and the sport will look different: and nowhere is that change is being more keenly felt than in London.
Rugby league’s relationship with the capital since the formation of Fulham in 1980 has been a tempestuous one. For every success, there has been a setback. But the news that London Broncos would revert to a part-time model in 2022 is a defining moment for the game’s future in London. With no full-time presence, the ramifications could be grave for a sport already struggling to make an impact in the city.