The trouble for London is once a player makes a name for himself, the big boys come calling - Hendo no doubt using his influence to get Davis and Butler - which sort of goes against us putting a huge amount of effort into our academy and follow Leigh and Featherstone path and just sign up SL 'standard' players who don't have to move home, etc. Then again, back in the day we were criticised for just signing Aussies, an Aussie team, now a team of mainly academy players is seemingly not good enough. You can't win !

Thanks for a different perspective PCP. Do you believe that franchising would help London to keep hold of talent, assuming a license was awarded to them?

Forgive me, Gents.
I've not read the thread, so, if I'm copying anyone, I'm sorry.

Let's go (for one season only) with 11.
Why? Well.
It's a World Cup year, so, 2 games less. for players
There'll be less fixture congestion at Easter (as there was SUPPOSED to be, this year)
One team each week, gets a rest.
All 3 above points helps WC hopes, and improves player welfare, which is becoming more prevalent.

Then, there's the "new" team.
Basically, they're on a hiding to nothing.
They've currently got championship standard players.
Anybody half decent/out of contract has already been signed up, so the "new" team comes in with what they've got, and with the flotsam and jetsam of SL. Add to this, any over the hill NRL 2nd tweaker, who fancies topping up his pension, will come. They'll be lucky to win 2 games.

Go with 11
Come March, see where the country/world stands with Covid and spectators. Open up a bidding process (that lasts 1 month) for the 12th team for 2022, and then select one. Then, they can build a squad that can compete for 2022.

Bringing a club in for 2021 will be foolhardy

Isn't that a given?

Certainly easier to keep a player at a club, or even entice a player to the club, if they know they can be guaranteed 3-5 years minimum in the top league?

Decent post there lefty, however........

1. It's already been agreed that there will be a 12 team SL next year.
2. How would Magic W/e work?
3. Leigh are building a team right now that would compete in SL, not that i suggest they should be there.


4. Promotion at the end of next season should be decided on the field.
5. Who should be selected for that 12th spot next season? Blimey! I haven't got a clue.

Reading through this gives a good indication on what a crap show rugby league is currently in

That squad finishes dead last

Krisnan Inu? That would be a real different level of signing to the other winger!

Agreed. However, that's only part of it.

I am not sure its about franchising, but certainly there needs to be an incentive. My slightly controversial view - and this applies across the leagues - is that home produced Academy players in the 1st team squad are not counted on the salary cap and a weighty transfer fee applies if another club come for a a clubs current or ex Academy player.

Take Broncos for example Wigan signed Kai Pearce Paul on the back of his Academy Origin performance for Lancs, and I bet he went for a song. Butler to you guys similar.

Cheers for that, and I'd agree with you that if you find them, then there should be some advantages, or incentive to keep talent at each club. I'm not sure that franchising does help that much, as the standard of SL player has continued to fall in the last 20 years, with and without it.