2. Birmingham v Leeds, 2nd tier football, same rotten night and yet they managed 2k over that seasons average. I know...it's football.....but they are 120 miles apart, not less than 9 and they are not fierce local rivals either. 8th of June, return fixture for Leigh v Wigan....same 9 miles yet 40% empty?7,000 and the usual Thursday night excuses......does everyone up there work Shifts?
3. No...I don't. The Elite leagues are rammed with journeymen Australians and there is a minuscule youth set up over there......they need to sort themselves out whilst Catalans fly the flag and offer a pathway....2 more French teams will just add more ANZACS to those entitled to play for France after a couple of years...
4. So? The point is that the French national side can't attract attendances unless against one of the major 3.....their games v Ireland and Scotland in 2015 are more indicative of what gates they would get for another club...Toulouse can't even sell out their shed at present......You THINKING there's a demand for something doesn't actually mean there is.....Building from the top down doesn't work....it failed in Paris, London, Wales........if the French want to play with the big boys let them earn the right, but if you fast-track another London or Catalans, it will end in another failed venture costing the game and the investors millions.

I am all for expansion, but done right!I am still wary of Toronto and the cap, the revenue streams, claims of attendances etc.....but I'll give them credit for starting where they did.

One of the biggest things we need to do is realise that non rugby league fans won't fork out to pay for rl. We need more games on free TV. Whether that's BBC itv c4 or whatever. The fact that sky have exclusive rights yet fail to show more than 2 games a week sums that negotiation up. Get more people watching and then gates /advertising /next TV deals will go up.
Toronto /new York etc could work but I get the feeling some are in fantasy land. Maybe I'm wrong but I doubt Toronto vs NYC would get a decent TV deal

I actually wrote something recently on the subject of the structuring - https://wiggysview.wordpress.com/2018/0 ... g-forward/ I think its a backwards decision for the RFL if they try and go back to franchising.

I actually wrote something recently on the subject of the structuring - https://wiggysview.wordpress.com/2018/0 ... g-forward/ I think its a backwards decision for the RFL if they try and go back to franchising.

Whatever the structure is in 2019, the Super 8’s need to go. Attendances are lower in the Super 8’s than the regular season and clubs can’t sell corporate packages in advance when they don’t know what there own fixtures are. Gary Hetherington at Leeds has said the Super 8’s are very bad for business.

If we take it it’s a given we go back to 14 clubs, 13 home and away games + magic weekend is the sensible thing to do, it’s just a decision (via club vote) on 1 up 1 down promotion and relegation or franchising. Perhaps a million pound game between top of the Championship and bottom of Super League could be a compromise.

How would you then playoff for the Grand Final? Top 4 semis?

Yes I think anything more than a top 4 play off rewards mediocrity.

Having given it some thought, I like the idea of 14th place Super League team joining the Championship play offs and having to beat the Championships best two clubs away from home, to keep their Super League place. The fixtures would look like this (with the favourites winning)
Ch 1 v Ch 3
Ch 2 v SL14

Ch1 v SL14 winner takes Super League place

Even though i think you're a bit of a barmpot, I quite like that concept.

Agree that any more than a top 4 play off just rewards failure.

On your other point. I have said before that I'd have the 14th team relegated 1st in championship promoted. Then 13th in SL join the championship play offs. So fixtures would be, 2nd v 13th, 3rd v 4th.
I would also have the final after the championship 1 promotion final on the same ground and day.

Beaumont let slip on Twitter SL to go to 14 in 2019

I'd love to see it back to all fixtures announced before season. Being able to book holidays etc.
On p+r I'd complicate it slightly, with Sl 13th vs c1st, winner in sl and looser in mini series with Sl 14th and c2+3

Sounds ok that . I don't think you are complicating it at all.

...he's too busy encouragig the Doc to apply for the SL CEO Position