There's pluses and minuses to both ways of doing things, but I can't help feeling p&r might just spark some enthusiasm back into the game. End of the day a competition should be a competition. With such a large play-off contingent and absolutely nothing to play for in the bottom half of the division - the league season itself just seems to be going through the motions these days. Scraping into the playoffs is more about sharing an extra pot of money for most clubs, rather than believing they're actually in with a chance of some silverware.

Added to this - however many people deny it - whilst we have licences, SL is a closed shop. What have the likes of Leigh, Halifax, Fev etc actually got to play for when even financially imploding SL clubs are allowed to remain with barely a slapped wrist?

For every Catalans or Widnes that have benefited significantly from the licence system, there's a hell of lot more clubs who's potential for progression has been halted. Even if it's a single play-off between bottom of SL and top of the championship, it's a massive incentive for championship clubs to achieve and conversely SL clubs to avoid. The path to the top is re-opened and we can still have the salary cap, the overseas/fed players rules and stadium and financial obligations in place to at least [itry[/i and stop clubs going t*ts up.

I didnt decide anything, both claims of profit ( just the 2 ) just happened to coincide with successful Challenge Cup campaigns

Which might have an impact, yet I'd say the greater effect has been professionalism finally starting to bite. I was at a coaching workshop run by Barrie McDermott a few weeks ago and he said when he first started playing they (the players) were part-timers, by the time he'd finished playing they were full time professionals but now they're athletes.
I think the Championships could just about keep pace with full time professionals, but not with athletes. That's not necessarily a criticism of the Championship clubs, it's just how it is.

For instance at Leeds the backroom staff has expanded dramatically in both size and expertise. It's more than doubled in size in 5 years and expertise-wise is now at the point where the u18's strength & conditioning coach holds both an MSc in Sport & Exercise Science and a PhD in Fluid and Electrolyte Balance in Rugby Players. This is a far cry from the days of Mal Reilly as Assistant coach, only 10 years ago, simply telling players to run harder.

The game has moved beyond the current reach of many clubs, we need to find a way of helping them get back within reach again.

If the recession and financial crisis had not hit, I suspect at least one of those would be complete and the other way down the planning stage if not both finished.

To call all super league players athletes is a mistake, some people call football players athletes. Now don't get me wrong the modern player is super fit strong and the best prepared they have ever been. Only a handful would be classed as athletes, probably a few more at the top clubs.

Oh and there is something to be said for telling players to run harder, see Sam thaiday, Barrie mac, willie mason. Mark o medley in his pomp.

I'm not sure why they wouldn't be classed as athletes, in the same way as footballers, tennis players etc are. They have their bodies at peak condition for their particular sport.

But the term was more to describe the differences in the preparation of a SL player now compared to 10 years ago compared to 10 years before that. As was the comment about telling players to run harder. There have been massive changes in this area and its an area that requires full time players, full time coaches and expertise. All those have high costs attached to them, costs the Championship clubs can't afford currently.