Rugby Football League CEO Nigel Wood said that "four more cities" across North America have expressed an interest in joining the RFL "in the coming years as the game’s transatlantic interest continues to grow," according to Aaron Bower of the London GUARDIAN. Wood "would not reveal the locations of the parties interested in following Toronto Wolfpack and entering the British leagues," but said that there were "a number of keen parties" in the U.S. and Canada. With Toronto earning promotion to the Rugby Championship in its debut season this year, rugby league "is seemingly keen to build on that and strengthen its grip" on the North American rugby market. A side from N.Y. lodged a proposal to join the RFL in '19 and with the World Cup to be held in North America in '25, Wood said that "more expressions of interest are welcome." Wood: "It would be inappropriate for me to name names, but there are three other proposals in the United States, and one more in Canada, on the table." Another indicator of the RFL’s intention to move into the North American market is a proposed test between England and New Zealand in Denver next June. That game, however, "faces resistance from Australia’s National Rugby League." Wood "is adamant the positives of the idea outweigh the negatives -- hinting that only the NRL could stop the Test from happening." When asked if he felt it would happen, Wood said, "That’s the hope -- but it’s not nailed on at the moment" (GUARDIAN, 12/17).
