Customise ESPN
NRL big guns back in the fold for final hit-out
The final round of NRL trials has arrived, and here are the key storylines you need to be across as Round 1 in Las Vegas draws ever nearer.
ESPN/Getty Images
TOP HEADLINES
Makasini, Walsh make moves up the rankings
STATE OF ORIGIN
V'landys finds the solution to a State of Origin problem that didn't really exist
With the ARLC announcing a change to the State of Origin eligibility rules to allow top-tier internationals to play, the question must be asked: Why?
Jess Hornby/Getty Images
Internationals now eligible for league's Origin
The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) has announced changes to the State of Origin eligibility rules which could see Tier 1 international players lining up for the Blues and Maroons this year.
NRL 2026 trial games: Spotlight on marquee recruits
Failure is not an option after Rabbitohs sign once-in-a-generation player Haas
NRL 2026 Big Board: Ranking the best young talents in the game
NRL
2026 SEASON
Everything to know about the 2026 NRL season
ESPN has everything you need to know as we head towards kick-off in the 2026 NRL season.
Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
The 2026 NRL Preseason Challenge: Trial games schedule
The NRL Pre-season Challenge is here as all the teams hit the paddock in preparation for the start of the 2026 season.
The Zac Lomax saga explained: Why Eels, Origin winger are headed for court
ESPN's 2026 crystal ball predictions for all major Australian codes
Top Headlines
- Warriors ace sinbinned in trial loss to Dolphins
- Fresh Lomax twist as Storm lose star winger
- Robson sidelined in early season Roosters blow
- NRL makes big change to integrity unit process
- Rejuvenated Taylan May aiming for Origin
- Madge out to guide Broncos to world title
- Bulldogs recruit out for 10 weeks in NRL blow
- Sharks' Test duo excited by Origin rule change
- Roosters begin new era with Cherry-Evans
- Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
ESPN's way-too-early NRL predictions
ESPN's NRL experts have turned their attention to 2026 for their way-too-early predictions.
- ESPN
Subscribe to the ESPN Australia Newsletter
Keep up to date with the latest news from across the sporting world. Be it at home or abroad, we've got it covered in our weekly newsletters.
- Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
Must-see games of the first four rounds of the 2026 season
The 2026 NRL draw has been released. So, to whet your appetite for the upcoming season, we've picked out the must-watch games from the opening four rounds.
- Koki Nagahama/Getty Images
Rugby's rebel league explained: Everything you need to know about R360
R360's start date has officially been kicked down the road to 2028. Perhaps now we will start to see some of the detail it currently lacks. So what exactly do, and don't we know about, it?
- Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
State of Origin: The all-time records and statistics
The State of Origin series started in 1980 and since that very first encounter we have witnessed 129 games and seen plenty of amazing rugby league.
