The 14 teams that we have now is too many. The game in Europe simply can't provide enough elite level players and you can see that in the number of poor quality games that we see between certain sides and the number of overseas players at certain clubs.

Ten is probably too few but the league should never have been expanded from 12 teams three years ago

Once all the so-called "youth policy" and home-gown strategies come to fruition we will have enough players. Widnes have already produced at least 20 top class players apparently - that's why they're coming up to SL. I've already logged their names into my "Access to Super League" factfile for reproduction in 4 years time when all those players will be much sought after first grade players.

stupid idea, didnt think peacock had head injury. must have coming up with this idea.

The difficulty is that if we don't include other European clubs then we cannot expect to have a competetive Northern Hemisphere. It is only by opening up elite rugby league we can realise a network that yawnion currently has. This however is a long term strategy of which we will only see the results in five to ten years. A more competetive northern hemisphere will enable us to compete with Australia and New Zealand, which we currently, and sadly, cannot do.

But they aren't here now, so why are we devaluing the competition by having poor teams and badly run clubs in what is supposed to be our "flagship" product?

There are a lot of players in this league who are not elite standard. If we are having to bring over Australians who can't get a game in the NRL (and every club has been guilty of it), then it demonstrates that the talent pool in this country is not large enough for the number of clubs that we have.

One of our biggest problems when it comes to international rugby is that they players are not conditioned to 'week in, week out' intensity. Eddie and Stevo can bang on about "how it gets closer every year" but the league is not competitive enough. It is not good for the sport when teams can still win a game whilst playing in second or third gear.

Because you'd only have four clubs left.

I'd rather have ten teams than fourteen, the dross that play in Super league at the moment should be clear to everyone

Four divisions of twelve would be my ideal situation, with P+R between all the divisions

I'd say more than that personally. I think you could take six-seven clubs as "elite" clubs. On that basis, a 10-12 team system seems the best compromise between holding up standards and having a commercially viable competition.

At the moment, we have 14 teams and an eight team play-off system purely because it "kept enough people happy". That's not the way to run a sport.

Totally agree with that bit.

what you on? crack?

Excellent idea IMO.

I can’t see why we expand to new regions when our foundations aren’t secure? You wouldn’t build a house on dodgy foundations so why try to build a sport? I’m all for expansion but not

Instead of trying to copy RU or looking at their international scene with envy we need to differentiate from them and market what strengths we have compared to their weaknesses. For me the stand out area is SL vs the Guinness Premiership. SL is a far more competitive league with bigger crowds and a better on the field product even with some of the weak sides we have in SL.

A 10 team SL, which would give us a chance to cut some of the weaker teams is the quickest way to have a really competitive, professional looking league.

Wigan
Saints
Leeds
Wire
Hudds
Hull FC

That’s more than half of the league already at the level we need. All could potentially win SL this season although I think Hull could struggle. Most importantly however all of them have an excellent pedigree when it comes to producing home grown players. From an aesthetic pov only Leeds let the side down with their stadium.

I’d then bring in Widnes due to the money they have behind them. I’d bring in Hull KR due to their fierce rivalry with Hull FC and Catalan.

The last spot needs to be taken on the merits of teams like Salford, Cas or Bradford and their ability to get increased crowds and a new stadiums. I know Bradford have worked hard on their crowds and Cas and Salford have made movement on their new grounds.

Lets make SL as strong as possible and then use this excellent league and product to move forward.

Forget it, Peacock is just a p***k