2016 World Club Series

Cup winners get World Club spot

The winners of next month's Ladbrokes Challenge Cup final will earn a place in the 2016 World Club Series, it has been announced.

The inaugural series earlier this year comprised the top three finishers in Super League but will take on a new look next February, with the Wembley winners joining the Grand Final champions and winners of the League Leaders' Shield in the three-match contest with a trio of leading Australian clubs.

If one club wins two of the domestic trophies, the vacancy will go to the Grand Final runners-up and, if a club completes the treble, the Rugby Football League board will determine the third participant.

The format was unveiled by Super League general manager Blake Solly at the launch of the Super 8s at UK MediaCity.

"The 2015 World Club Series was a huge success and Super League is really looking forward to hosting an even better event next year," Solly said.

In the opening round of the Super 8s, comprising the top eight finishers at the end of the regular Super League season, reigning champions St Helens will take on Catalans Dragons in Perpignan.

The other opening games see Wigan hosting Huddersfield, current table toppers Leeds entertaining Warrington and Hull going to Castleford.

Solly confirmed that Wigan's home game against the Catalans on September 5 will be held in London as part of the Warriors' bid to strengthen their brand in the capital.

Wigan's "on the road" game will take place at The Den, home of football club Millwall, the Warriors have confirmed.

Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan, a former majority shareholder of London Broncos, said: "We are taking a Super League game to London and we intend to leave our mark.

"This is no half-hearted measure. It has been well planned and is underpinned by a strong community programme, the development of our London Business Club and the opening of Wigan's office on Buckingham Palace Road.

"The fixture provides an opportunity for Wigan and Rugby League fans to sample live Super League rugby in the capital.

"We understand that some of our fans in and around Wigan may feel a little disgruntled by the move; however, we sincerely hope that they can understand the opportunity this provides us to grow as a club.

"With a bigger fan base, more blue chip corporate support and access to a wider talent pool of players it will allow us to meet our mission to become the biggest club in the world."

Solly congratulated the Warriors on their ground-breaking move, saying: "Many fans complain that rugby league doesn't command the profile of other sports and tell us that they want to see rugby league competing with the likes of rugby union, cricket and football on a national scale with a higher media profile.

"I spend a lot of time in London and firmly believe this is a positive move. I hope the entire sport gets behind them."