A Canadian team have set their sights on securing a place in Super League after being formally admitted to the third-tier of the British professional game.

Toronto Wolfpack was launched in Leeds via a video link to the Canadian city, where former Bradford, Wigan and Great Britain coach Brian Noble was confirmed as director of rugby working alongside ex-Leigh boss Paul Rowley as head coach.

The team will play in the Kingstone Press League 1 from next March and take part in the 2017 Ladbrokes Challenge Cup.

Former Bradford, Wigan and Great Britain coach Brian Noble is the Canadian club's director of rugby

Former Leigh head coach Paul Rowley will become Toronto Wolfpack's head coach

'Rugby league has always had a pioneering philosophy throughout its history and this initiative offers further evidence of the sport's wide appeal and readiness to embrace innovation,' said Rugby Football League chief executive Nigel Wood on the video link from Toronto.

The initiative came from Toronto-born businessman Eric Perez, who will become the club's chief executive, and is financed largely by wealthy Australian businessman David Arygle, a 55-year-old mining investor.

Also on the club's board will be rugby player-turned-actor Adam Fogerty, who made the initial approach to Noble, who remains the most successful coach in Super League following his spell with Bradford from 2000-06.

'I met Adam over a couple of breakfasts, went to see David Argyle in his apartment in London alongside Eric Perez and I thought I'd love to be a part of it,' Noble said.

'It's brand new - I've done a lot of things in the game but to be involved in this and to take something from nowhere is exciting. Old Trafford is our ambition so it's hugely appealing.

'I'm very ambitious as we all are. We really want to do it the right way and build it the right way. I'm an expansionist at heart and it's exciting for this sport.'

Noble had no hesitation in recommending Rowley, who was already a big enthusiast of Canadian rugby league, after he became available after quitting his job at Leigh on the eve of the season in February.

'I've known Eric for five years and believed in Canadian rugby league,' Rowley told the press conference. 'More importantly, I believe in Eric's dream for the sport.

'I see an enthusiastic population who adore sport. They've not had full exposure to rugby league yet but it's a great opportunity.

'We're not in it for a holiday. Brian is the most successful coach in Super League history and we want to progress and progress at a fast rate. We've got the support and the infrastructure and a sports-mad city to embrace it.'

Hull FC players leave the pitch following their Super League tie against Wakefield Wildcats on Sunday

Canadian team Toronto Wolfpack have set their sights on securing a place in Super League

The club will not receive central funding from the RFL but are likely to get special dispensation to exceed the salary cap to enable them to run a full-time team and have pledged to cover all costs of visiting teams, who will fly out on a Thursday, play on Saturday and return the following day.

The Canadians squad, which is initially expected to comprise largely of English players, will be based at Bradford Bulls' training base and fly out to Toronto to play fixtures in four or five-match blocks at the Lamport Stadium.

The Wolfpack's player recruitment drive will include a reality television series called 'Last Tackle' which, according to Noble, will raise the club's profile as well as potentially attract players.

'It doesn't work for me if there isn't a Canadian influence,' Noble said. 'We'll have to work out the numbers but I'd be disappointed if we don't have five or six Canadians eventually but with the speed we want to go at we'd need some substantial players.

'We'll have six trials in major USA and Canadian cities trialling people who want to be part of it.'

Like Toulouse, who entered League 1 this year, the aim will be to gain immediate promotion to the Championship before making an assault on Super League.