If there is no plan to attract more players to the game, the quality on the field will continue to decline, so some of these proposals will have a lesser impact. This should mainly be about investing in development officers, getting more players in schools and community clubs, but if as is suggested French clubs have to have a minimum number of French players, then English clubs should also have to have the same minimum number of English players.

Franchising was handled so badly last time, then any fan who feels wary of it coming back is fully justified. Struggling to see how scrapping the Magic weekend and making a round of the Challenge cup 2 legs is going to improve things. Can't see the clubs accepting/surviving on 11 home fixtures a year either. If they replace league games with a 9s tournament it has to be hugely successful just to keep income levels steady, there is this implication the hundred is a "success" but it has come at the cost of other parts of cricket, which is the main worry for me.

While there’s no direct quote from an IMG representative, I’m holding out hope. Even then, I’ll be hoping new parent, sleep deprived and confused or something like that.

If it is true, at least it should fail swiftly. I think I’d find something else to do until it passed.

This sounds a lot less like they’ve suddenly lost the plot. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... relegation As a minor quibble, I don’t see why all clubs shouldn’t be re-assessed annually (or, rather, on an ongoing basis to inform an annual decision). Tbf, they might mean that but only the assessments of those currently rated B are relevant to who is in Tier 1 and Tier 2. I know the focus is on improvement and growth, but ‘A’ has to be a standard to maintain as well as reach.

This sounds a lot less like they’ve suddenly lost the plot. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... relegation As a minor quibble, I don’t see why all clubs shouldn’t be re-assessed annually (or, rather, on an ongoing basis to inform an annual decision). Tbf, they might mean that but only the assessments of those currently rated B are relevant to who is in Tier 1 and Tier 2. I know the focus is on improvement and growth, but ‘A’ has to be a standard to maintain as well as reach.

St Helen’s. Still living rent free in your head lmao

St Helens.

I believe they've paid nothing and IMG will make their money if they get improved TV deals, sponsorships etc plus whatever profit they make by integrating RL into their own products