INCE ROSE BRIDGE and Stanningley, who were both docked points by the National Conference League following stormy scenes at the end of the Division One Promotion Play-Off Final between the sides at Featherstone Rovers last October, have been given unexpected reprieves.

Stanningley, who lost the game 18-14, would have remained in Division One while Ince earned elevation to the Premier Division.

However, following the grassroots game’s restructuring under the National Community Rugby League initiative, Ince have opted to operate in the inaugural National Conference North West while Stanningley will remain in the second tier (now National Division One) and the four-point deductions for 2026 imposed on both clubs by the NCL’s management (with further four-point deductions suspended for a year, plus £1,500 fines, of which £750 was similarly suspended) have been erased.

The RFL’s director of participation and development Marc Lovering told League Express: “It’s not practical to apply (the sanctions) to a different competition structure.”

Asked whether the two National Leagues and the Regional Conferences will utilise the dissolved National Conference League’s constitution, Lovering said: “All competitions will operate under terms of reference with associated competition rules.

“Minimum standards will be in place akin to those in the NCL’s constitution. We will work with clubs across the pyramid to increase standards.”

And he confirmed that the NCL’s abiding ethos (essentially, respect for opponents to a degree to be emulated by other leagues) will not only still apply, but will be strengthened.