...is further away than ever before

My spreadsheet says Widnes finished above Leigh in 36 of the last 40 seasons. Alex Murphy & John Woods responsible for a couple of those. You're a brave man

I think Stealth Comic has it about right - Toulouse, Hunslet & York in the bottom three. Sheffield, Batley & Dewsbury going for the 6th play-off spot.

With Toulouse, I make it they have lost Nathan Wynn & Martin Mitchell, two of their more influential players, also Matthieu Griffi, Worrall, Duport and Mendes-Varela. They've signed Craig Cook from Sheffield, got Damien Couturier back from union & two reserve grade Australians in Josh Lewis & Darren Nicholls. I suppose playing some pre-season games and entering the NRC may help with the consistency. They did win away at Featherstone after all - problem was a big lack of consistency.

We had no props, no full back and one half back... Dig deep into those pockets

Featherstone
Halifax
Leigh
Widnes
Barrow
Sheffield
Batley
York
Toulouse
Dewsbury
Hunslet

We've got the toughest start possible, but there again it means we've got a lot of tough games out of the way when we're traditionally good starters, so I'm still hopeful of a top three finish.

Will be interesting to see how Barrow do, but I have zero faith in Schofield so I think they might struggle early on before their annual change of coach.

Widnes will be coasting once they've been confirmed for their franchise, but I still think they will be strong, aside from surrendering their usual six points to Leyth.

One thing I do expect is that there will only be a handful of points between probably fifth and eleventh, and even then I wouldn't expect a massive gap between fifth and the top four. Certainly set for an intriguing and exciting season.

Two out of the last four alone.

Plus 2000 ,2001...........Now is that 4 already.

Yup, sorry, you're both right - it's actually 6 out of 40 - I messed up my excel macro.

1981-82 and 1970-71 were the other two. (Although I suppose as we had the extra shortened season in 1995, that one is not strictly within the last 40 seasons, so maybe 5.) And I think I'm right in saying that one of those was the year Widnes went on to win the final?

Anyway, my point stands - I think evens odds is a generous offer from Jonny.

I'd go as far as to say audacious.

That Widnes club doesn't exist anymore though, it went pop. The current club only has 3 years of history, although Leigh probably only have about 8 years on that argument

.

Can we have the 69/70 season to make it 7.....