Farce is - to me - a harsh summation when it's probably the most "sensible" way of promoting to SL in well over a decade compared to the last few systems of 8s, and franchising/no promotion at all.

This system guarantees promotion to SL - not so under the 8s, although the only year a team has failed to go up was the year we were in the MPG! - and guarantees it's earned on the pitch.

The last time there was regular promotion/relegation from the Championship it was a playoff final system, and that seemed to go ok.

I think with the squad as it, we'd be around mid table.

With 2 or 3 shrewd signings I think we'd have a good shot at the play offs.

The current guys will improve massively from playing competitive rugby week in week out too.
It's great piling on the points most weeks, but isn't really any good foe developing the players.

On the top 5 - get both sides of the argument, but I think it adds to season and gives a nice finale.
The top 5 format is my favourite of the play off formats too.
Where will the GF of it be played? At the home of the highest placed club?

I don't see why this division needs its own playoff system and grand final. It is literally nothing more than a money spinner.

If you can play through the whole season and finish top of the league then you've earned your place in SL imo. You shouldn't need to also come out on top of a sudden death playoff system where a few injuries or general bad luck could scupper things.
Imagine if a team finishes in fifth but makes a couple of signings right before the deadline, and then goes on to win the GF. I think that's what JK might see as being a bit farcical.

Quote Wigan Bull="Wigan Bull" Where will the GF of it be played? At the home of the highest placed club?'" No, history shows it has been at a neutral venue https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Championship_Grand_Final It's been a grounds such as Warrington, Widnes and Headingley. Some pretty decent crowds too. If its done right, it could be a massive occasion - imagine us playing Widnes for a place in SL at Headingley with 20K there? That's not a pipe dream - see the crowds in that link above.

Quote Wigan Bull="Wigan Bull" Where will the GF of it be played? At the home of the highest placed club?'" No, history shows it has been at a neutral venue https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Championship_Grand_Final It's been a grounds such as Warrington, Widnes and Headingley. Some pretty decent crowds too. If its done right, it could be a massive occasion - imagine us playing Widnes for a place in SL at Headingley with 20K there? That's not a pipe dream - see the crowds in that link above.

The top team of the Championship hasn't been automatically promoted for two decades. Not sure why it's suddenly a problem now - the imagined scenario described was literally every year of the system we've just had except a top 4 and not 5. I don't think there were too many crying off when we had a crack at the Million Pound Game despite Leigh finishing top. See also Torronto this year who will be in no worse position if they top the table in 2019.

If everyone knows the rules before it kicks off (a rarity in this sport, I know!) then everyone has the same opportunity. I understand the argument, but "farcical" is a bit OTT to my mind when you consider the complete absurdity the second tier teams have had to overcome since franchising came in.

Agree with this!

Correct, plus a top 5 playoff system is much for helpful for us than say Toronto. Toronto should be top easily next year IMO, and a straight one up system would lead to the Championship season fizzling out for all the mid table teams. But as it is, I suspect the fight to get in the top 5 will go down to the last week, and there's no reason why we shouldn't look to get in the mix for pushing for that 5th spot. Then we're in with a shot via the playoffs. Highly unlikely we'll go up, but to be even in with a shot next year would be awesome. I think the top 5 system was always my favourite one, if they implement it like we had it back around 2001 when coming top gave you two home chances to make the final, so finishing top of the league still meant something (unlike saints in this years SL where 1 bad game sees them gone despite being the best team all year.)

Cant wait for next season already!

Quote paulwalker71="paulwalker71"No, history shows it has been at a neutral venue https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Championship_Grand_Final It's been a grounds such as Warrington, Widnes and Headingley. Some pretty decent crowds too. If its done right, it could be a massive occasion - imagine us playing Widnes for a place in SL at Headingley with 20K there? That's not a pipe dream - see the crowds in that link above.'" Quite! I think Warrington's ground lends itself to this type of occasion ans no reason it couldn't be a sell out with the right teams in the final! What's the capacity there now?

Quote paulwalker71="paulwalker71"No, history shows it has been at a neutral venue https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Championship_Grand_Final It's been a grounds such as Warrington, Widnes and Headingley. Some pretty decent crowds too. If its done right, it could be a massive occasion - imagine us playing Widnes for a place in SL at Headingley with 20K there? That's not a pipe dream - see the crowds in that link above.'" Quite! I think Warrington's ground lends itself to this type of occasion ans no reason it couldn't be a sell out with the right teams in the final! What's the capacity there now?

15,200.


Ideal then.

Didn't the Champ and Champ1 clubs suggest a solution where it was straight up/down for the top/bottom clubs, and then the 2-5 placed clubs in the Champ play a knockout to play a one-off Million pound game with the SL 2nd from bottom team?

That would keep the excitement of the MPG and keep competition alive, while keeping a promotion/relegation AND leaving things to play for too.

Of course the SL clubs poo-poohed it. And brought in repeat fixures instead; as that's MUCH more thrilling.

So remind me where the experts said London would finish this years and where they are now and who they beat to do it?!?!?!?!??!

Top 5 has to be target then with Cap'n Kear the sudden death specialist in charge who knows what could happen?!?!?