Possibly. I don't see how the new system is any more exciting than the SL one though. If it isn't a trial then it seems to have been changed just for the hell of it. As it stands the Championship as a league is far, far more exciting than SL IMO (although obviously the quality of player is reduced) and I hope the RFL have the sense to leave it as it is and not start throwing in new rules or league formats.

Couldn't agree more. There are some weeks when I would look forward to Sheffield V Widnes (for example) more than say, Bradford V Hull FC.

Its in the Championship because a few years ago the top tonked the bottom by 70 most weeks. It offers an incentive while most of the time not altering the league all too drastically.
At Chp level it works.

I like the idea of reduced interchanges, go for it

I think this Championship season will be one of the best in a long long time. Can't wait

On the flipside to that Rob, if you leave players out on the field longer because you've got less interchanges, what will it do to the intensity of the game over 80 minutes (one of the major bugbears when comparing SL to the NRL in producing quality players)?

Make them fitter and more mobile?

Quite a few NRL clubs play with one hooker, we as a league are still copying the Australian national team from about five years ago, nippy interchange hooker going through the middle. A reduction in interchanges may lead to all forward benches, or multi-skilled forwards and teams passing their way around defences rather than going through them with fresh players.

Last year most of my team (Wakey) players looked knackered with 12 interchanges so were not going to improve our competitiveness with only 10!!!

You have to go all hog and try it at SL as the chamiponship is a part time game and the players in that comp are there for a reason just like other sports 2nd tier, thier bodies are differant to SL players so you wouldnt get much in trying it in the 2nd tier.

From the RFL "If a player is injured or JUST NOT PLAYING WELL ENOUGH, they can be replaced by a substitute, called an interchange." www.therfl.co.uk/a_guide_to_the_ ... _positions

From the RFL "If a player is injured or JUST NOT PLAYING WELL ENOUGH, they can be replaced by a substitute, called an interchange." www.therfl.co.uk/a_guide_to_the_ ... _positions

If you really want to improve RL, have no more than 4 subs who you can use only once each.


Oh yeah, and whilst we're at it, let's return to the 5m rule, contested scrums, the right to steal the ball in every tackle, encourage a bit of biff, and let's return the game to how it was in the olden days when it was a skilful, exciting, game.


Can you tell that I've been watching some old tapes and dvd's and have been reminded of how much better the game used to be

8 interchanges from 4 players is plenty. It's meant to be tough (it's not tiddlywinks). Whats next, different teams for attack and defence with breaks after 20 mins?