13 Questions for Rugby League in 2021

After a wretched 2020, we all hope for a better 2021. Just like society at large, rugby league has many questions ahead of the New Year. The answers will shape the future of the sport. In this blogpost, we ask 13 questions for 2021.

1) Can St Helens do the three-peat?
In the salary cap era, only one side (Leeds Rhinos from 2007-2009) have won three consecutive top-flight championships. That is the challenge facing St Helens this year. Their squad is strong and they have recruited well. The target is on their head though. Can their reign of success be stopped?

2) How will Leigh cope in Super League?
Leigh Centurions are back! In 2005 and 2017, they lasted just one year in Super League before an immediate Championship return. However, in 2017, Leigh did not finish in last place in the regular season. They were instead relegated via the Million Pound Game. Leigh are up against it when it comes to survival, with little preparation time, but they will not be pushovers.

3) Will we see a new Super League winner?
Since 1996, only four sides have won the big prize. Yes, we have seen some thrilling season-enders, none more so than in 2020, but we are crying out for a new winner. The league needs more competitive and trophy-winning sides for its credibility. St Helens and Wigan looked a step ahead of the rest last year. Can anyone fill that gap? Warrington, I'm looking in your direction!

4) How will the new coaches go?
Ian Watson has moved to Huddersfield, who have gone on a bit of a spending spree! Hull FC have a new coach in Brett Hodgson and, on paper, a squad that can make an impact. Richard Marshall gets his first Super League head coach gig at Salford. All will want to make an impact on the 2020 season. The pressure will be intense from the off.

5) Will Super League see another non-heartland team?
There was disappointment from expansionists when Leigh were awarded the final Super League place. However, Toulouse will now be favourites for promotion in the upcoming season. London have recruited well too. By October 2021, will we see a wider geographic spread in the top flight?

6) Or...maybe not?
Featherstone have Super League ambitions of their own. They have a decent stadium, a strong squad and made the 2019 Million Pound Game. They cannot be discounted from a title tilt. Fev often have people looking down their nose at them due to the 'flat-capper' image and their proximity to existing Super League sides Castleford and Wakefield. Next year will see promotion decided due to on-field performance. If they prove their credentials on the field, then they will have earned that shot.

York have recruited well too and will move into a stunning new stadium next year. The club have used the tagline 'heartland expansion' of late. They are outsiders for promotion, but they do not lack the credentials.

7) How will Newcastle cope in the Championship?
Newcastle Thunder will provide a North-East presence in the second tier for the first time in a decade. The club is well run and ambitious. Mere survival will not be enough for them (although it would be a success). They are an example of expansion done right. Will that bear fruit next year?

8) What to do about Cumbria?
Cumbria is a rugby league hotbed yet two of their sides are in League 1 and at the time of the season suspension, Whitehaven were propping up the Championship. With Workington's new stadium plans a distant memory, we will no longer have a World Cup match in Cumbria.

We need to look to expand the sport, but not at the expense of a hotbed of the sport, especially one neglected for so long. We cannot ignore this for much longer, we cannot leave our natural habitat to disappear. Will the sport be brave enough to grasp the nettle?

9) Will it be England's Year?
1972 was the last time a team from the British Isles won the World Cup. England haven't played a match at all since 2018, so Shaun Wane has a tough task in moulding a squad. He has openly stated that if England do not win the World Cup, that amounts to failure. Can the ambition finally be realised? Can we put our reputation of glorious failures to bed?

10) When will fans return to stadiums?

In a miserable year, we were treated to some brilliant games. But they weren't the same without fans. Jack Welsby's Grand Final winning try, Salford making the Challenge Cup Final for the first time in 50 years and Leeds' nerve-shredding Wembley win. They were all fantastic moments, but they would have been enhanced with fans. The day that rugby league is back before supporters is not a day too soon.

11) Will we get a new TV deal?

At the end of 2021, Super League's TV deal expires. Reports suggest that Sky will offer half of their previous deal. This would have a profound impact on the sport. The lower leagues would suffer hugely if funding is cut. On top of a hard 2020, this would be a hammer blow. The sport needs to get this right. The future direction of the game is at stake.

12) Will the North American dream continue?
2020 saw an acrimonious departure for Toronto Wolfpack from the British game. Whilst many saw this as the end of rugby league's Canadian adventure, it is easy to forget that Ottawa Aces are due to enter League 1 in 2022. Will the sport take another chance on Canada? Maybe the more pertinent question is whether Canada will take another chance on rugby league?

13) Will RLWC2021 be a springboard for the sport?
With major sporting postponements in 2020, the 2021 sporting calendar is packed. Hopefully, the absence of sport will make the heart fonder. Full stadiums, cultures from around the world, brilliant sporting action, all games live on the BBC. This is our chance to raise the sport's profile, just like the World Cup did for rugby union in 2003 or the Ashes did for cricket in 2005. It's a big chance, let's hope we take it.

What do you think the big challenges are for the sport next year? How do you think 2021 will unfold? Do let us know in the comments or on Twitter!