seems very very similar to what the powers that be tried to do with Scottish football..... a lot of teams and fans were all for it

The new system would require, realistically, 20 full time teams all able to spend roughly within 4-500k of each other on players. We currently seem unable to have 14 full time able to do that. Where is the money coming from for the extra 6? If this money is available from somewhere then let's just have 2 leagues of 12 with straight P&R.

I'd go with two leagues with 10 teams in each, each playing each-other twice. The top four in the top league enter a play-off mini league, where the top 2 make it through to the grandfinal after all playing eachother. So 1v4 2v4 1v3 2v4 1v2 3v4, giving the incentive of finishing first have 3 home games, 2nd 2 home games and 3rd one home game. This would work the same as any other league with points for winning and points difference also counting to reduce blow-out scores and teams resting players. The Same would apply in the 2nd league of 10 with the same mini league play-off series concept applying to teams 2-5, with the first placed team gaining promotion automatically.

The bottom two of each league would also be relegated. Or even if a focus to make every game count they could also enter a mini league similar to play-off teams where the bottom 4 play eachother and the 2 teams finishing last will be relegated. Therefore you'd have only 2 teams in each league with 'nothing to play for' however they would be either aiming to get into the top 4 or avoiding the bottom 4 which would make it exciting.

This would give a total of 18 league games, with 3 more play-off games for the bottom and top 4, and an extra game for the winners grand final.

How do you deal with the big gap in standards and spending power between the leagues with P&R? And where does the extra money come from to make up for 9 fewer games (4 home games) in the season?

Very easy.

The SL teams have to play "three legged" style with two players tied together when they play the lower league teams, although if rumour is correct then Leeds will be able to play Jamie Peacock on his own under the new rules.

As for the shortfall in income - erm, bucket collections in Leeds on a Saturday afternoon.

That should do it.

Just let the lower league teams use 14 players instead, Salford are visionaries.