For someone who was banned from sport not that long ago, id reckon he is very careful about what he says and does when getting interviewed by the media.

Hull FC much better off without him in my opinion. Still not sure why Widnes ever took him on.

But that's what I'm trying to get across, it doesn't have to be a closed door which sterilised the game as you've put it. If the criteria were clear and achievable and strictly enforced by the RFL then in fact the door could be wide open with teams clearly knowing what they have to do to get in. This in return allows them to build for that and have a better long term chance at SL rather than a one off shot where yes, they might get up, but barring a miracle they'll find themselves in exactly the same dogfight next year.

Furthermore it doesn't matter to me if lower placed teams have nothing to play for at this point, that's because they've not been good enough, but I don't believe the constant threat of relegation will ever make them good enough either.

I believe the problem we had last time round was not franchising itself, but how it was administered.

And yes I'd also like midseason internationals, but that would also require it being stuck with long term.

But is that a problem with A) the concept or B) the fans and weak minded RFL who listen to them?

IMO franchising is the answer if done correctly. Strict rules need to be in place for it to work and a governng body who has the balls to enforce them.

When licencing was brought in and Widnes didn't get one, this bitter set of fans and the club were cry-ar*ing and demanding rules were changed to suit them. Now they are finally in SL but miles behind the top 5 they are again moaning and wanting changes to give them a chance of reaching the GF.

All start on nil points after 23 games?? What's that all about??

Widnes, however, know all about 'nil points' though having already been nilled at home twice this season. No way are they anywhere near good enough to get to Old Trafford, even if everyone started on zero.

Correct

Correct!

Imagine if you finished top by ten points after 23 rounds, got all your points taken away, got a few injuries and poor ref decisions in the 8s and ended up finishing outside the top 4...

Widnes chairman just creamed himself too early this season when they won their first 6, probably got giddy with Leicester fever and put his house on at the bookies that they'd finish top 4 and now he's looking for someone to blame

That's Weirdness for you

Everyone whinged when it was a top 8 playoff. Resetting the points to 0 effectively brings that back.

Top 4 playoff is fine.

Imagine if you finish 9th in SL, get all your points taken away, have an injury crisis at the end of the year and end up being replaced in SL by 4th in the championship......

Hey good point, never bought of that!