A MANAGEMENT and commercial review is to be among the first tasks for a newly constituted board of Super League.

As Super League seeks to strengthen both itself and the wider game, the new board - comprising representatives from each of its member clubs - have embarked on cooperative and constructive initial discussions with the Rugby Football League.

That is with a view to improving the quality of its own competition, its financial strength, its valuation and its profile, states a joint Rugby Football League and Super League statement.

It continues: "This management and commercial review is to be undertaken within the overall context of growing and strengthening the game of Rugby League in its entirety, particularly at community and grassroots level.

"In recent years Super League has achieved a compelling combination of financial stability of all its member clubs and a highly competitive league with unpredictable outcome. It is rightly proud of this unique and consistent combination.

"Super League now aims to build on this stable platform, as enhanced by the material increase in Super League salary cap in 2018, and to strengthen further its playing, commercial and financial standing.

"This is strategically essential in order to continue to improve the production, attraction and retention of elite rugby talent in an increasingly competitive global marketplace."

The statement highlights th common objective of both Super League and the Rugby Football League is to improve the quality, profile and valuation of Super League, and also of rugby league in its entirety, and to make it an even more attractive proposition to investors, the media, sponsors and the public alike.

"To this end, an open, thorough, constructive and cooperative review is now being embarked upon between Super League and the Rugby Football League," the statement continues.

"2018 already promises to be the most competitive Super League to date and all parties are confident and optimistic that there is considerable opportunity to improve further its financial strength, valuation and competitive position."

Brian Barwick, chairman of both Super League (Europe) and of The Rugby Football League, stated: "Recent seasons have produced a continuous period of financial stability in Super League as well as a compelling and highly competitive league.

"It is only right now that Super League reviews all realistic and practical ways to strengthen itself further and it can only be good that this is done in open and collaborative discussion and review with the Rugby Football League.

“A strong and competitive Super League is a prerequisite to a strong game overall, both domestically and internationally.

"The years ahead will provide some fantastic commercial opportunities for Rugby League both in this country and internationally, its constituent bodies will continue to work together to best access and exploit these."