And let's not forget 9 of the Thunder squad are from Newcastle/Gateshead, plus one southerner from County Durham. In terms of giving opportunities to genuinely local players I'd bet Thunder do as well as most clubs and better than a fair few. Isolated clubs like Thunder need a (very) few extra non-quota players simply because they have no surrounding established rugby league areas to draw from. If heartland clubs don't like it, they should have tried a bit harder in the intervening century or so to spread the greatest game past York.

You should stick to the footy , Toulouse are except from relegation

We all knew Toulouse could finish in bottom 2 in their 1st ever season in this comp - so why make such a big deal if it happens. They get 3 years exemption as agreed by their entry - simples.
What actually annoys me is the Championship has 10 teams who can get relegated at start of season and 2 out of that 10 will. Its absolutely crazy to do this. Don't care about "keeps us interested" because 5 teams going down would do this for more clubs too but it wouldn't be right of course.
If we escape the relegation I would still think this. Also it devalues the Championship that 2 teams can come up from C1.

again, not the point i was making,

which was, when the format for these leagues was decided, it was done on the basis that another team would be admitted from scotland or ireland within a year,

whether this happens or not isnt relevant, because it would still be the reason why the rfl decided on this format of league,

now the scottish/irish team may not happen next year, it may not happen the year after, it may now be planned for 2011 or 2012 or 2013 or 2015, it doesnt matter,

what does matter is, that unless the rfl have given up on this idea, the format probably wont change because it would needlessly change the system, knowing it will need to be changed again in a couple of years

I can live with the 2 from 10 , what I dont like or accept is a team having a direct effect on other clubs futures when they dont have an effect on that clubs future

Stick them in and they play everybody but those results dont count , not perfect but at least more fairer than what we have had

Sport is meant to be a contest , not a lottery

Could you live with 3 going down?
They have effect on all the clubs.....they stuffed us at their place. Had we won we would be probably safe now.
What I think you are suggesting is team appearing on the pitch for a warm up game and no incentive to win. You know that is not the case once you are on the field.