The external loads and match characteristics for a newly promoted European Super League team were examined over three seasons (2012-2014). Global positioning systems were used to assess player movements, with video data assessing collisions and tactical variables. From 2012 to 2014, there was a very large increase in the relative distance covered (87.0-96.6 m/min; P = 0.001; ES = 4.0; 95% CI [1.8, 6.2]), relative number of collisions (0.43-0.53 n/min; P = 0.001; ES = 2.1; 95% CI [0.9, 3.3]), and relative high-speed running distance (>5.0 m/s) (6.3 to 8.1 m/min; P = 0.002; ES = 2.0; 95% CI [0.8 3.2]). For the team analysed, there was a moderate increase in points scored (P = 0.026; ES = 0.7; 95% CI [0.1-1.3]) and large reduction in points conceded (P = 0.001; ES = 1.2; 95% CI [0.5-1.9]). There was a moderate increase for ball in play time (P = 0.004; ES = 0.9; 95% CI [0.3-1.5]), and game stoppages were lower owing to a moderate reduction of total points scored (P = 0.039; ES = 0.7; 95% CI [0.0-1.4]), and total penalties per game (P = 0.001; ES = 1.0; 95% CI [0.4-1.6]). The change in external loads and match characteristics reported over this period highlights that players within a newly promoted team needed time to develop and adapt to the competition.
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