NRL chief executive David Gallop believes the quality of young talent coming into the league will more than compensate for an exodus of big-name players to the UK Super League.

Former Test centre Matthew Gidley on Friday joined a long list of players heading to England after signing a two-year-deal with Super League giant St Helens, Newcastle releasing him from the last year of his NRL contract.

Gidley will have a lot to live up to at Saints where he will take the spot currently occupied by former Parramatta star and new Manly signing Jamie Lyon, who was Super League player of the year in 2005.

While disappointed to see the competition lose players of the quality of Gidley, who played 11 Tests for Australia and 11 Origin games for NSW, Gallop said the NRL would remain the game's ultimate yardstick.

"We're not being complacent about it but we're providing a viable, exciting competition and it is the ultimate testing ground for players," Gallop said.

"With the number of young stars coming through, players like Jarryd Hayne, Daniel Holdsworth, Greg Inglis, Darius Boyd, there's not going to be a place for everyone.

"Ideally there would be but it's part and parcel of providing an even competition. The number of young players coming through every year is quite phenomenal."

Such is the extent of the exodus that a team capable of making a genuine run at the NRL premiership could be made up of players heading over to the UK.

Consider this.

Kiwi Test fullback Brent Webb could combine with Queensland Origin wingers Adam Mogg and Matt Sing out wide while Gidley and Kiwi Clinton Toopi would form a lethal centre pairing.

A halves combination of Scott Hill and St George Illawarra skipper Trent Barrett would ask plenty of questions of the defence while Shaun Timmins, Phil Bailey and Glenn Morrison could provide a workaholic back row.

Throw in hard heads Adrian Morley and John Skandalis at prop and Brisbane utility Casey McGuire at hooker and it's a line-up that boasts more than 60 State of Origin games and 100 Tests in representative experience.

For Gidley, the opportunity to ply his trade in the northern hemisphere presents an opportunity for him to not only line his pockets but also the chance for his family to experience a new lifestyle.

"I've spent 12 seasons here playing first grade with the Knights, I've been lucky enough to have a wonderful run and the club's been a huge influence on my life," Gidley said.

"It's an exciting opportunity for me and my family and I'm really appreciative that the Knights have allowed me to move overseas next year - it's a win-win for everyone."

"Obviously the main priority is playing league and being committed to the club but certainly the opportunity is there to do a lot of travelling. It's on your doorstep."

He denied the move would provide a cushy finish to his playing career, citing anecdotal evidence of how much the game had improved in the UK.

"I've spoken to players at the Knights - Andrew Johns, Craig Smith, Brian Carney - who have all been over and played there and they said the footy being played over there was of a really high standard," Gidley said.

"I always wanted to go overseas while I was still playing well.

"The game over there's at a stage now where you can't go over at the end of you career ... a lot of the Australian players are leaving a bit earlier."

The Knights agreed to release Gidley after signing former Newcastle favourite Adam MacDougall to a two-year deal on Friday.

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