Sculthorpe and Amor give backing to Lockyer’s London Super League bid

Two big rugby league names have thrown their weight behind proposals put forward by Australian icon Darren Lockyer to bring London Broncos into the Betfred Super League in 2026.

The top flight is set to expand from 12 teams to 14 next season, and the former Kangaroos scrum-half is heading up a consortium which has identified the Broncos as a potential addition.

And this week St Helens and Great Britain legend Paul Sculthorpe and former Super League winner Kyle Amor have both lent their voices to the Broncos’ cause.

“I’d love to see a strong London side,” Sculthorpe explained to The Last Tackle, The Sportsman Rugby League’s weekly YouTube magazine show.

“Darren Lockyer is involved, and Reagan Campbell-Gillard has been mentioned as a new signing for next year. If that’s the kind of players they’re looking to bring over and expand into London again, it can only be great for the game.”

Lockyer is the face of the new venture in the capital, with Australian businessman Grant Wechsel also a key figure. There’s also the significant backing of Gary Hetherington, who is leaving the Leeds Rhinos after 29 years as chief executive to be a part of London’s new vision.

And Amor added of the hopes for a return of a London Super League team: “Darren Lockyer coming in and putting in a bid to take over at London Broncos is massive, with a huge name at a club like that.

“I agree with Scully, I think a London team would be massive. I was talking to Darren Lockyer and he mentioned the 150,000 Aussies living in London, and that’s an area he wants to tap into.

“He spoke about creating more of an off-the-field club, with the stuff that happens in and around gameday rather than just the game itself.

“Hull KR have certainly shown the way this year in how to put a party on, as have Leigh. So more fan entertainment and engagement is more than just what’s on the field.”

London are one of nine clubs who have applied for a Super League place next season as part of the dual-element election of clubs for the top flight.

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The top 12 clubs in IMG’s annual grading in mid-October will be invited to take part, with the last two spots being determined by a panel headed up by Lord Jonathan Caine.

Current Betfred Super League clubs Huddersfield Giants and Hull FC were among the nine to put forward applications, with both having missed out last year on the ‘A’ grade which would have guaranteed them a top-flight place.

The remaining seven bids have come from Betfred Championship clubs Bradford Bulls, Doncaster, London, Oldham, Toulouse Olympique, Widnes Vikings and York Knights.

Salford Red Devils, who have finished bottom of this season’s Super League table after a turbulent year of financial issues and player departures, have not petitioned to be a part of the division again in 2026.

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