RFL dual registration


Dual registration within the RFL refers to an arrangement between clubs whereby a rugby league player within the Rugby Football League continues to be registered to his current club and is also registered to play for a club in a lower league.
The system is mostly aimed at young Super League players who are thought to be not quite ready to make the step up to first team duties but for whom first team match experience is likely to be beneficial for their development. This also has been extended to Championship teams dual registering with League 1 clubs.
Clubs in both the Super League and the Championships benefit from the new dual registration system which was introduced for the 2013 season. The new system is intended to complement the existing player loan system.
The scheme was extended in 2024 to allow players of Championship and League One clubs to appear for NCL clubs.

Rules

  • All players can be dual registered and the receiving club must be a club in a lower tier.
  • A dual registered player will be eligible to play and train with both clubs in a format agreed between the clubs, subject to registration, salary cap and competition eligibility rules.
  • The player is restricted to playing in one fixture per scheduled round of fixtures in any given week.
  • A receiving club will be limited to a total of five dual registered players per matchday squad.

Clubs

Eight Super League clubs have announced dual registration partnerships for the 2024 season.
Super League clubDual registration clubRef.
Castleford Tigers Batley Bulldogs
Castleford Tigers Newcastle Thunder
Catalans Dragons Toulouse Olympique
Huddersfield Giants Dewsbury Rams
Hull Kingston Rovers Featherstone Rovers
Leeds Rhinos Halifax Panthers
St Helens Swinton Lions
Warrington Wolves Widnes Vikings
Wigan Warriors Wakefield Trinity
Wigan Warriors Barrow Raiders
Wigan Warriors Midlands Hurricanes

One Championship club has announced a dual registration partnership with a League 1 club for the 2024 season.
Championship clubDual registration clubRef.
York Knights Newcastle Thunder