I agree that long term effects are not known but the previous system definitely didn't work and I can see the green shoots of franchise in a few areas, with Castleford, who would have been relegated, actually blossoming.

I agree but afew years ago we had 4 teams who could win it each year, now its only two.

Some proof that its holding back some teams.

As annoyed as I was that we missed out, it seems that for Super League teams that the system is working. And without sounding like Eddie, the season has started brilliantly IMO. Its good to see teams like Cas and Wakey doing so well, and Celtic have done a decent job so far as well.

With Celtic they just need to keep trying to increase their own fans and keep up the very decent attendances they have got so far. On the filed they have been far more competitive too. This aint fishing buuuut, my only worry is that this season they will have gates boosted a lot by fans wanting to go to a new place for the first time. Maybe it will continue, I dunno.

So if your in the gang it works, for us lot... we will see.

The previous system was not allowed to work, and franchising is working in as much as Castleford weren't relegated and therefore are seeing the improvements which I believe were normal even under the old system for teams which managed to stay up in their promotion year.

It should come as no surprise that Castleford, who would have been relegated under the old system, are doing much better than they would have if they had been relegated.

The long term effects upon SL and the leagues below are not yet known and will not be for some years to come.

changing tack slightly and it will be interesting to see how coaches fare now the threat of relegation is removed. already we have seen lowes shifted sideways and mc rae is under threat too as is macca at the bulls. i think not much will change here as fans want to see their teams winning and more importantly putting in a good shift, even in defeat. even without the fear of going down, the fan factor is probably the deciding thing here.

Which is exactly what we all predicted

But fortunately not as much as in the pre-Super League days, eh?



It was good to see Widnes giving young players a chance tonight and hopefully that will continue under Paul Cullen. The situation should also work for you (and other Championship teams) too – particularly on the issue of bringing young players through, because you're not in the position of having to throw everything at a last-ditch effort to win, in essence, one match – which was, in many ways, what happened two years ago to the Vikings. The whole culture created by relegation from Super League was mitigating against that – in recent years, only KR have actually managed to come up and stay up in their first season. That cannot be good for the development of the sport.

Now you have to time to develop – and then, if you get a franchise, you'll have further breathing space in which to develop.

Load of bollox

Tell me did Widnes banckrupt themselves by overspending in 1 season

But a SL club will nick any decent players you produce

Or .................... loan you their promising stars for a season or two. It's not all rape and pillage by the big boys.

Anyway, Super League get their "youngsters" from Australia

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Actually, Halifax are benefiting/have benefited from a few good loan deals from SL clubs.

You didn't read the quote did you