Considering the RFL have trouble finding their Asses with both hands, is nobody concerned that they may be punching above their weight with these ideas?

Surely this is going to make the whole sport a lot more interesting. Problem with existing format is that once you've lost a dozen or so games you have nothing to play for. Players lose interest, fans lose interest and it all becomes meaningless well before the seasons over.

Problem with 2 up and 2 down is the relegation battle will only really involve about 3 clubs. This new format will engage everyone from the first week to the last.

I think the C and A have been missed out of the thread title.

Carp confirmed? Oh please no, I'd rather watch Union than fishing.

anyone got any idea on how this will be sorted tv wise with sky having superleague and premier having the championship or will be it just be alternated when superleague and championship mix

According to the addendum to the policy document, both SKY and Premier sports had been consulted Jul, Sept 13, so must have reached accord who gets to show what.
Seems we've gone from the sublime to the ridiculous. Finish 8th chance of reaching the grand final, finish 9th, chance of being relegated.

So now an increased chance of SL being weakened with "clubs desperate for SL success at all costs"??

I'm on the fence with all this at the moment. I foresee more questions and problems than I do answers. It would be nice if the RFL engaged the fans and rather than just stick a stale framework out for all to see, actually told us why it will be better and answer the questions we have. A lot of people are suspicious of such drastic change, especially coming from an organisation such as the RFL, who has a poor track record of making good decisions.

Its now confirmed so we all have to embrace it.

Personally I have changed my view and feel it will be very good for Rugby League as a whole as interest maintained until the very last game.

I agree .
I feel I should be instinctively against this and probably would be if I didn't have such high hope for our season.
The fact that Heatherington is involved also grates as he seems too influential at the moment.
RFL generally makes poor decisions but made a very good job of the World Cup organisation.
So,I'm open minded but have a sneaking suspicion it could work out quite well !

It's too early to make any assessment based on the lack of facts revealed thus far.
The 3x8 clubs makes 24 - so as there are more clubs in the 3 divisions what happens to 'the spare' ?
Is there relegation from Championship 1?
What are the financial alterations to assist those both promoted and relegated,and where is the money coming from?
Will there be a sponsor for 2014 and 2015?
How long will this latest system remain in place?

Not to mention player pathways,reserve sides,dual registration and Under 19's,20's or whatever.

How many meetings have they required to finally confirm what they have just about ratified?

It doesn't leave much time to make any other important decisions to progress the sport.

We could end up with a scenario where Salford and Swinton are in the same pool, say Salford had too win to be promoted you can see the conflict of interest for the Doc already.

Well the Hetheringtons have had these conflicts for years - Leeds v Hull - now Leeds v Wakey. All will be OK.

With their son-in-law now the Chief Exec.at Widnes there could well be further controversy should Wigan not play their recognized strongest squad on the artificial surface,at Widnes,and lose thereby condemning another club to relegation.
The fixture list shows that game at the end of August.

rlhttp://media.therfl.co.uk/docs/Policy%20Review%20-%20September%202013.pdfrl
Policy Review Doc in full.

The is still a 3rd league - Championship 1 with two clubs going up to the ( SL2 ) comp ..


Re finance 5.2.15 In particular, previous Tier 1 (Super League) requirements as to capacity
(10,000), “under cover” capacity (5,000), permanent seating (5,000) and
corporate lounge capacity (500) should be reduced. However, great
attention must still be placed upon the safety of spectators and players,
and the ability for clubs to deliver central broadcasting/commercial
contracts. '"