The trouble with the RFL/SLE was that they were so embroiled with going to 14 teams (and getting Bradford in) that the Championship became an after thought. Double standards with regards to allowing Fax & Salford to come back into the league, but wouldn't allow Fev. Then we have the NWC fiasco, who I my opinion should have been stepped down for 2026, results wiped, and then let them re-apply for a licence in 2027. Then we have the 1895 malarkey were we didn't know where the final was to be held, or even when it was to be held. Below SL (which is no great shakes, itself) is an absolute sh!tshow.
Paulie xx
@farnworth-viking actually the football was good on sat att 623 dj in concourse, good atmosphere was a decent afternoon for£10
I want to hear the RFL's plan for next years Championship now. They owe the division and the clubs in it an apology.
The clubs voted for it to be like this.
@jdgsport It is true that the clubs voted for this structure, but what alternative did they have bearing in mind that the season was about to start.
The RFL should learn from that and should already have plans in place for 2027. I think they have already said that they will retain the number of SL Clubs at 14 and the teams in SL will be based on IMG gradings.
Why should they change their plans just to accommodate London or any SL team falling out the top 14? If so, why not go for 16 clubs in SL? My view is that by hook or by crook, London will be in the top 14 of IMG gradings.
What is needed is some clarification and honesty from the RFL about the future of the Championship. If the plan is for the Championship to become a feeder league for the SL clubs, then why don't the RFL say so. It cannot be a feeder league and also accommodate promotion to SL.
There also needs to be some clarification and honesty about promotion prospects for those clubs like Widnes, who have SL ambitions. Is there any prospect of Widnes, Oldham, Sheffield, Doncaster, Barrow or any other Championship club having the opportunity of promotion within the next five years, whether through IMG gradings or preferably by on field performance?
As has been said by many on here, it does appear that the RFL has no interest in the Championship or rugby league in general, outside SL and an annual game in Las Vegas. Perhaps they should ignore the hype from the Sky commentators and recognise that the game actually exists outside SL.