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History of the Super League (Europe)

The rugby league Super League was formed in 1996, as part of media mogul Rupert Murdoch's clash with Australian TV supremo Kerry Packer. As in the controversial shake up in Australia, the top teams in the British Rugby Football league broke away from the rest thanks to the serious financial incentives and television coverage provided by Murdoch. Under the terms of the new league, the season was played in the summer as opposed to the traditional winter fixture list.

Here are a few highlights from the Super League's history:

1996: The Super League was formed with most of the teams from the old national league Division One. For marketing reasons the London Broncos were plucked from the lower divisions to take part as well. In order to live up to the European element in the Super League (Europe) title, a French team, Paris Saint Germain, was created. St. Helens topped the league to win the inaugural season.

1998: The Super League Grand Final was introduced. The 1998 season saw the inclusion of play-offs at the end of the season, culminating in the final, which was held at Old Trafford. Wigan Warriors beat Leeds Rhinos to win the league.

Paris Saint Germain dropped out of the competition, rendering the European aspect of the league obsolete. Despite the now purely British entry, the title was kept.

2002: The Super League's governing body re-integrated the Super League into the Rugby Football League. This meant that the Super League became a re-titled Division One for British rugby league. As a result, promotion and relegation were introduced, with two teams being dropped at the end of each season and two teams moving up from the lower league.

St. Helens won the Super League Grand Final for the third time in four years.

2005: It was announced that only one team would be promoted at the end of the season, in order to include a French team, Les Catalans, in the Super League for 2006.

Bradford Bulls beat Leeds Rhinos to take the Super League title for the fourth time.

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