Quota players

Quota players is a term in sport referring to the limit of foreign players on a domestic team.

Rugby league

Professional and semi-professional rugby league clubs playing in the British rugby league system (i.e., the Super League, Championship, and League 1) are restricted in the number of foreign players permitted in their squad. Since 2021, this is a maximum of seven 'non-Federation trained players', which is defined as players who did not play rugby league for three seasons within the European Rugby League prior to the age of twenty-one.^[1]

History

As of 2019, Super League clubs were permitted to have a maximum of five foreign passport holders in their squad. Additionally, they were permitted no more than seven non-Federation trained players. Passport holders from any EU nation or a Kolpak nation were not considered foreign passport holders.^[2]

For the Canadian-based Toronto Wolfpack, American, Canadian, and Jamaican players do not count towards the foreign quota.

After the Widnes Vikings went into administration in 2019, Krisnan Inu, Wellington Albert, and Adam Tangata were exempt from the overseas quota for the duration of their next contract after they were released by Widnes.^[2]

Previously, the maximum number of foreign players for each Super League club was three. Harlequins RL were permitted four quota players as they are considered to be a non-heartland team. The Welsh team Crusaders is allowed 14 overseas players and French side Catalans Dragons are allowed eight non-French players. Championship teams were only allowed one quota player, aside from Toulouse who have five foreign players.

2023 Super League quota players

Club	Foreign quota players
Castleford Tigers	Mahe Fonua, Jake Mamo, Jacob Miller Kenny Edwards, Bureta Faraimo, Suaia Matagi, Albert Vete
Catalans Dragons	Adam Keighran, Tyrone May, Mitchell Pearce Manu Ma'u, Sio Siua Taukeiaho
Huddersfield Giants	Chris McQueen, Kevin Naiqama, Nathan Peats, Luke Yates Sebastine Ikahihifo, Tuimoala Lolohea, Esan Marsters
Hull F.C.	Jake Clifford, Kane Evans, Tex Hoy Joe Lovodua Ligi Sao, Carlos Tuimavave Chris Satae
Hull Kingston Rovers	Lachlan Coote, Rhys Kennedy, Kane Linnett, Tom Opacic, Matt Parcell Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Sauaso Sue
Leeds Rhinos	Blake Austin, Rhyse Martin, Aidan Sezer David Fusitu'a, Sam Lisone, Zane Tetevano Nene Macdonald
Leigh Leopards	Tom Amone, John Asiata, Ricky Leutele, Ben Nakubuwai, Kai O'Donnell Ava Seumanufagai Edwin Ipape
Salford Red Devils	Brodie Croft, Ken Sio, Sam Stone, Shane Wright King Vuniyayawa Tim Lafai
St Helens	William Hopoate, Joey Lussick, Sione Mata'utia, Curtis Sironen James Bell Konrad Hurrell, Agnatius Paasi
Wakefield Trinity	Samisoni Langi, Kelepi Tanginoa, Jorge Taufua, Jai Whitbread Renouf Atoni, Kevin Proctor Mason Lino
Warrington Wolves	Josh Drinkwater, Matthew Dufty, Peter Mata'utia, Josh McGuire, Paul Vaughan Sam Kasiano, Thomas Mikaele
Wigan Warriors	Cade Cust, Kaide Ellis, Jai Field, Bevan French, Abbas Miski Patrick Mago, Willie Isa
Source: ^[3]^[4]^[5]

Australian-born Lachlan Lam of the Leigh Leopards is considered a Federation-trained player as he played rugby league as a child in Wigan during his father Adrian's playing career.^[6]^[7]

References

^ Jackson, William (8 July 2020). "What the RFL's new overseas quota rules mean for every Super League club". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
^ ^a ^b Shaw, Matthew (11 July 2019). "Overseas Quota – A Beginner's Guide". Total Rugby League. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
^ Shaw, Matthew (3 August 2022). "Every Super League club's quota spot situation ahead of 2023 season". ExaminerLive. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
^ "Leigh Leopards sign former Leeds Rhinos prop". BBC Sport. 23 January 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
^ Pattison, Cam (25 January 2023). "How many overseas players there are in your club's first choice 13". Serious About RL. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
^ Bower, Aaron (21 September 2022). "Leigh Centurions hopeful of Lachlan Lam quota boost thanks to junior background in Wigan". ExaminerLive. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
^ Darbyshire, Drew (3 October 2022). "Adrian Lam on Leigh promotion, 2023 goals, quota spots & reshuffling squad". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 19 June 2023.

External links

Leeds Today Rugby Columnists- Overseas restriction is the right way to go

[1] Jackson, William (8 July 2020). "What the RFL's new overseas quota rules mean for every Super League club". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 19 June 2023.

[beginner's_guide-2] Shaw, Matthew (11 July 2019). "Overseas Quota – A Beginner's Guide". Total Rugby League. Retrieved 19 June 2023.

[3] Shaw, Matthew (3 August 2022). "Every Super League club's quota spot situation ahead of 2023 season". ExaminerLive. Retrieved 19 June 2023.

[4] "Leigh Leopards sign former Leeds Rhinos prop". BBC Sport. 23 January 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.

[5] Pattison, Cam (25 January 2023). "How many overseas players there are in your club's first choice 13". Serious About RL. Retrieved 19 June 2023.

[6] Bower, Aaron (21 September 2022). "Leigh Centurions hopeful of Lachlan Lam quota boost thanks to junior background in Wigan". ExaminerLive. Retrieved 19 June 2023.

[7] Darbyshire, Drew (3 October 2022). "Adrian Lam on Leigh promotion, 2023 goals, quota spots & reshuffling squad". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 19 June 2023.

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