Across the entire game in the UK, there is no direction. The strategic reviews are just talking shops and place short terms changes in place. I think the whole approach was to paint over some cracks and hope the NRL buys or invests in the game.
The basics are not in place to promote the game, and there isn't even a unified approach to keep costs down. In the words of Blackadder's Wisewoman, you have three choices either hang in there and hope the RFL get the game organised (unlikely), wait for the NFL to do a deal (unlikely to be favourable) or break away (tough but the future will be in better hands). I would suggest that the latter is worth investment, the first two, well you might have some better players for a short while but ultimately you might as well throw the money in the river.
Last season 2025 Widnes were 7th. out of the play offs
Above them were York Tolouse Bradford Oldham Halifax and Featherstone in play offs
Only Oldham remain and London joined after relegation from SL......
So to equal last season 3 rd is required.
Looking at the Table as of now I would think 5 th would be the best and 7 th the worse from the present 6 th position.......getting to 4 th would take some doing
looking at 2024
Above Widnes were Wakefield York Tolouse Bradford
all are now not there but London are so 2 nd to be equal to 2024
Conclusion
All in all this season is nothing like as good as previous 2.
No London have been in the league for 2 seasons, salfraud got relegated last year
i said before the season started for each team to play each other once , home or away to be decided on league position, and an extra 6 fixtures against local teams
we ended up playing London home and away even they were not in the top 12
It’s a stitch up from start to finish
london in SL next year - on what criteria I ask ?