Can anybody think of any instances before when a new competition started, the current holders had zero chance of winning it

The only one I can think of was the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest when the UKs entry, the fabulous Bardo with "One Step Further" could not repeat the wonderful winning performce the previous year by Bucks Fizz with "Making Your Mind Up", all time classic

I think I understand it.
But just in case my single brain cell is failing or there is an amebae from planet Mars reading this thread;

We start 11 points behind the lowest of the rest of the pack.
We play 7 games, with a maximum of 14 points if we win all the other games,
But since only 2 other teams are currently on less than 14 points we need both of them to lose at least 6 of their 7 games.

So basically if we lose 1 game - we're relegated
If either Swinton/Oldham win 2 games - we're relegated (albeit Swinton could actually just win 1 dependent on points difference)

So. When we lose our first game - the rest of the games are basically just to fulfil the fixtures for the RFL AGAIN,
Which the players/club I suppose have to do otherwise we'll get a fine or point deduction?
Its a fvckin farce.
Since the players/club cant tell the RFL to stuff their fixtures - would it make any difference if all the (remaining) Bulls fans boycotted the rest of the games (after we've lost the first one)? as a show of our

Does the 2017 season ticket include entry to the meaningless Shield (home) fixtures. If so will go, if not won't be.

I don't recall it ever being stated, but I always assumed it would be included. If they're not, they better get extra stewards in as there will be plenty of arguments at the turnstiles!

To be fair, I guess they have to.

I doubt they seriously expect any [imore[/i to turn up - they'd be idiots if they did - but they have to go along with the pretence. It's bit like all the references to "training the house down", they know it's claptrap, but they nave to say something just to console those who go anyway.

I will have a guess at bulls vs Toulouse our first game as we are full time and rest are part time. Give the part time teams to organise Things.

Delayed issue of Championship fixtures by 24 hours - ongoing issues at Swinton or elsewhere? Further subterfuge from the RFL? Or simply trying to ensure we take nil points form the next 7 games which we don't realistically need any additional help to achieve....

I have read in twitter (not saying its true) but the delay is with players getting time off work to go to Toulouse.

It could be about Toulouse travel - although the same delay didn't happen in League One where four clubs suddenly found out they had to go to Toronto. More likely it is about the availability of grounds at Rochdale and Oldham where there will be football games already booked. And Sheffield have to dovetail in with Wakefield's fixtures.

What else can you expect when fixtures for the start of August are not known until the end of July? Only in Rugby League...

Good think Paul. I'm not a football fan so I didn't know when the season started

Just been having a read on Sheffied Facebook page, as I'm a valued member on there, a good point has been raised.

Was the Shield final at Odsal last year because the Bulls were the highest placed team that made it through

If that's the case it could very well be at Toulose this year. Imagine the crowd for that

Yeah. After the 7 Shield games we were at the top and then had a semi final against Dewsbury. Had we lost that it would have been at Sheffield.

Saying that, the 2015 version was between Featherstone and London and that was played at Widnes? So god knows. Personally not a fan of 'finals' being played at home grounds. Still annoyed they play the World Club Series at 'home' grounds instead of neutral.

You can just imagine the conversation at Red Hall yesterday;

"Ok we've released the fixtures for the Super 8's and the Qualifiers so now lets do the Championship........wait a minute!"

"Whats wrong?"

"Our favourite pets, Bradford have finished bottom!.....and looking at the stats they will be relegated!"

"Wtf !... how did that happen.....we never saw that coming.....shoite......the fans will be well annoyed with us.....what can we do?"

"....Dont worry, I have a cunning plan.................................................."

(to be continued )

First fixture to be announced on Thursday. Although when on Thursday presumably is left up to guesswork...

They really are a shambles.

Good call Sir, hope you put some money on that!

Nice that relegation will be finalised after the first week of the 8's anyway, will stop us getting any hope up with a few early wins.