Be interesting whether Toulouse, Leigh, London et al would take SL to court over non promotion given the investments made in playing staff.
Ina funny sort of way, no promotion until the following year may be better for us, giving us a chance to further strengthen.
But I agree, Closed Shop League is coming...
Corvid 19 could see the end of SL/SLE as it has been. Sky bought our game in effect and we can see it becoming another Sky gameshow. It will encompass the whole Northern Hemisphere which takes it way out of the ability of active supporters to follow physically.
RL needs to pick up RL from its roots and reform it for its active support. It will not challenge soccer or probably RU nationally but it can have its own niche market well supported on the ground but living within its own budgets.
I agree, RL needs to stop comparing itself to RU.
The moment RU went professional any chance of being comparable was gone given the true globalism of the International Game and southern-bias to the domestic game.
Sport is cyclical and no-one has a divine right. 20 years ago Hunslet and Dewsbury were the NFP Champions, Hull KR were a reasonable Top 8 NFP side and Halifax were a solid SL club. Some of our SL friends just don't get it at all.
The 20 team SL could work. Lower salary cap , a SL of two ten team divisions and P/R between the two. We would need to be in the too 8 next year presumably.
Remains to be seen just how thd existing SL teams respond!
The taster of the old days with more teams in with a chance was a reminder of a time with a more varied league. Could give Sky a nudge ?