This year marks 30 years since rugby league's Super League revolution transformed the sport in Britain. Former Great Britain international Iestyn Harris reflects on the seismic changes that began in 1996 when the game switched from winter to summer and embraced full-time professionalism. The Sky TV-backed breakaway created a new era defined by faster, fitter athletes and a more dynamic playing style.

Harris recalls the dramatic shift from part-time players training two or three nights weekly to full-time professionals. 'It was a huge transition for the game,' he told BBC Sport, describing how 25 players suddenly walked through training doors on Monday mornings for dedicated programs. The cultural change brought stars like Paul Sculthorpe, Andy Farrell, and Harris himself to prominence as the sport evolved rapidly.

The introduction of the Grand Final in 1998 created memorable moments that extended beyond traditional league marathons. Clubs innovated with events like Bradford's 'Bullmania' and international showcases at Barcelona's Nou Camp. Looking ahead, discussions about potential NRL involvement could mark another pivotal moment. As Harris notes, 'We're on the brink of something quite special' with games planned in Las Vegas and beyond, potentially expanding rugby league's reach far beyond its traditional M62 corridor.