As the World Club Series matches are scheduled for February 19, 20 and 21, the NRL season opener could be played a week later in London and the teams involved would then have the following weekend off while the remaining clubs played their first round matches. League at Wembley: Andew Fifita and Cameron Smith celebrate a try for Australia against Fiji during the Rugby League World Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium in 2013. Credit:Michael Steele Super League general manager Blake Solly said his organisation would "welcome and support" an NRL match played in Britain. As revealed by Fairfax Media earlier this year, the NRL considered shifting this season's opening clash between Brisbane and 2014 premiers South Sydney to London and also approached St George Illawarra as the three clubs were in Britain for the inaugural World Club Series. However, the move proved too difficult to organise in the short time frame available due to contractual commitments with stadiums and the reluctance of broadcasters to change the schedule of matches released late last year.

Roosters chief executive Brian Canavan said the same issues may again stand in the way of an opening round match being played at Wembley Stadium or the 54,000 seat Olympic Stadium in Stratford, which is home to West Ham and will host a Test between England and New Zealand next month. Popular players: Supporters take photos at the NRL Grand Final fan day at Darling Harbour. Credit:James Brickwood "We have got our own contractual obligations and then you have got media, with Nine and Fox, so it is a very complex proposal," Canavan said. "Whether those logistical issues can be worked out remains to be seen but it is certainly a very interesting concept, that's for sure, and it shows how our club game has started to evolve internationally." The Roosters will play the third-placed Super League club in the World Club Series, while the premiers and runners up of both competitions will also meet.

So far, Leeds are the only Super League confirmed after winning the Challenge Cup and League Leaders Shield, with Wigan, Huddersfield and St Helens vying for the other two positions. The Super League competition was stopped for this year's World Club Series, which attracted sell-out crowds and more than 2 million television viewers for the three fixtures, and it is believed that officials would ensure there was no clash with the NRL season opener if it went ahead in Britain. St George Illawarra chief executive Peter Doust told Fairfax Media in February that the Dragons had been approached to play this year's season opener in London and would consider doing so in the future if there was an opportunity to grow the club's brand internationally. NRL chief executive Dave Smith is understood to support the concept of taking matches overseas provided they are part of a long-term strategy to expand the game's reach and will be able to schedule fixtures once the code regains control of the draw in 2018. Playing a State of Origin match at Wembley Stadium is also likely to be seriously considered after 2018.