How many current SL players are there that joined an SL team from school never having played for an amateur team or a lower division club in some capacity? There can't be very many. SL needs the rest of the RFL community from amateur level upwards to survive, or it could very quickly run out of players if there is an acrimonious split. Yes, there would still be movement from players to SL teams, but said players may think twice about it if the rest of the RFL world took their bat and ball home and declared that anyone having played in the "new" SL would be barred for playing in the "other" competition. Dafter things have happened when folk with big ego's fall out.

One up, one down and genuinely retaining funding is fine with me, but please stop the bully boy tactics.

Barring players playing would do more harm then good and would most likely affect the lower league clubs more in the longer term than the SL clubs. Players will always strive for money and the elite competition.

I don't disagree with you, but as I say, dafter things have happened. Let's hope the meeting itself is amicable, and we get a sensible result from it.

Absolutely. Lets hope this 'take it or leave it' rhetoric is left behind, and that ALL clubs can work together for the benefit of the game.

[size(Or is that just wishful thinking?)[/size

Ultimately, it's all about the money and the desire of the top clubs in the game to get a little extra.
ALL parts of the game are essential, from U8's right through to SL and the International game, it's just a case of the "best" way to divide the cake.
One thing that definitely needs to happen is "level" funding in The Championship, a cliff edge that has caused 2 of the bigger clubs to really change direction.
The cut from 800k to 200k for finishing 5th instead of 4 is just ridiculous and you do have to ask just how this was voted in.
Even a fool could see that this was a disaster waiting to happen.

1 up 1 down seems to be the direction that we're going, assuming that agreement can be reached.

Regarding amateur players and those that have made their way through the tiers into the pro game, I think this will continue anyway, almost regardless of the level of funding in the lower leagues and good players will always make it if they want success.

2019 RFL Championship is looking like it'll be a cracker of a competition, with London, Toulouse, Halifax, Bradford all gunning for the one spot. If Leigh and Fev can get cash injections, then it's a 6 way battle.

Which ones do you tip to go bust chasing that one spot?

It really will make for a fascinating division. IT NEEDS TO BE ON TV!

London are bankrolled as are Toulouse so they should be OK. Widnes will depend on the players they can retain and the level of support they get from their fans, Fax always cut their cloth accordingly these days and Bradford will be happy to challenge, but not at "any cost". Del Boy may well be back at Leigh if he sniffs another crack at SL, so Leigh would be my guess is anyone was going to overspend.....but yes, it does need to be on TV

This is the problem. Why does it “need” to be on TV? This is the reason why it isn’t. Yes, to us fans it’s kind of exciting but the standard on show is like rugby union league 2 which doesn’t have a TV deal

Regards

King James

Sky sports will be showing the Trailfinders v Carnegie game from the west London wedding venue this weekend at 3pm on SKY SPORTS ACTION.

As for the "standard" of championship RL, with 2 games being shown on Saturday, I reckon we've as much chance of seeing exciting Rugby as we do on thursday and Friday with the 2 SL games.....but I suppose if you're a purist and interested in skill and top quality, you'll be glued to the NRL then and not bother with the inferior SL product

no more or less so than Castleford v Huddesfield is either.
It'll be interesting to see the BARB figures for this coming Saturday

So you are saying that the quality of rugby on show is similar in the semi pro/amateur level of the championship than it is to the 3rd best team in super league? You don’t half spout some rubbish. Even by your standards!

Regards

King James

While I don’t agree with SL breaking away, i’m not sure not holding the rights to the CC would be an issue, they could just call it the ‘SL Cup’ still rent Wembley out for final and would the BBC even be bothered so long as they get top games to show?

Same for the international game, I doubt the RFL own the brand for ‘England team’ or ‘Great Britain’ as they are too generic, so quite easy to create a team there. And again would Australia and NZ be bothered if they are playing a spinoff team so long as their match fee is right and they are playing SL’s top players? Don't forget we’ve had an SL Australia team before.

No. That's not what I said.
I said that the game on Thursday night would appeal no more or less to the passing sports fan (or non fan as you call them) than either of the games on Saturday.
I am attempting (god knows why) to converse with you in an adult fashion.....ease up on the insults.