Which cave have you been living in?

Just wait til one team gets the nod in March and there is then 3 months til the relegated team is announced. Banter a plenty.

For what it's worth, it is a shame that the on field performance is almost secondary, however Widnes knew this was the case 18 months ago and have therefore prepared accordingly. I don't really think anyone else has.

Lets face it Widnes are nailed on if only to even the Yorks V Lancs numbers.
Some of the struggling teams are nailed on certs for the franchise which is the farcical part.

Got to be Widnes. Especially with the backing they have, they have a lot to offer SL in my opinion. Hopefully they will end up as strong as Warrington, with a big fan base and good side. They are traditionally as big a club as Wire so I think that should be their aim.

Couldnt agree more Jonny, they are nailed on and rightly so.

Sadly I believe they are nailed on but I do not see why they should be given a chance at the expense of Wakefield/Castleford etc. I'm not anti-Widnes, just anti-this-whole-process, it doesn't make any sense.

I'm not the one missing the point. You are missing the supposed point about franchising. It is not solely or even largely about spreading the game. It's supposedly about having the strongest top flight. Consigning teams to the second tier forever to protect clubs like Cas and Wakey is absolutely nonsensical. This idea that the only way up is through dead mans shoes, or being some sort of expansion team means stagnation throughout the leagues.

So it isn't me who missed the point.

No team in the Championship has more to offer than Castleford. Therefore Cas shouldn't need any protecting.