There will be no structure changes in professional rugby league for the 2023 season with three tiers set to continue.
Two sides will be relegated from the Betfred Championship into League One with the champions and play-off winners replacing them.
RFL chief executive Ralph Rimmer has confirmed there will be no structure changes as they await recommendations from new partners IMG.
Global marketing company IMG were announced as strategic partners to the RFL and Super League recently on a 12-year deal, to help restructure and reimagine the sport.
The three-division structure, with promotion and relegation, will remain intact for next season, but key dates won’t be decided until IMG completes its initial fact-finding exercise.
Workington Town are the Cumbrian team in gravest danger of falling back into League One as they currently sit bottom, six points off safety.
They came up as play-off winners last season behind champions Barrow who have made a good fist of Championship rugby and are challenging for a play-off spot.
Whitehaven lie fourth bottom with four wins and a draw and although clearly not mathematically safe probably need a couple more wins to be sure of Championship rugby next season.
With the current TV deal with Sky due to run out at the end of 2023, changes are expected to be made at the end of next season.
The long-speculated change to two divisions of 10 is thought to still be on the table.
Clubs currently outside of Super League are anxiously targeting high finishes in 2023 so they don’t become victims of an anticipated cull to the professional game
Rimmer told PA: “There will be no changes for 2023. There might be some changes in transition at the end of 2023 but we’ll see how that comes together.
“We’ll do lots of different permutations while we await the outcome of IMG’s consultations.”
The appointment of IMG came as a result of re-alignment talks between the RFL and Super League, which has led to the creation of a third body to handle the sport’s commercial interests.
There has been little indication yet as to what IMG’s recommendations might be, though they are beginning to hold consultations with stakeholders, including a session with the media later this month.
IMG are not being paid for their work, but will instead be incentivised by taking a share of any profits generated through fresh initiatives.
