Pretty sure coaches should be able to get hold of footage from any game in any division so I'm sure the SL clubs will be well aware of what they're likely to face against the championship teams.

Based on yesterday's dire performance from Wakefiled who managed 8th, it looks like any of the top 4 championship clubs could have a good crack at a SL team in the Middle 8s. Would be great to see someone promoted this year.

I was referring to SL teams.None of this matters should we lose to a championship team,as we won't be going to SL end of.

Last year everyone was so hyped up at, finally, getting a chance to go up after two very impressive seasons during the latter of which we'd already seen off two of the SL teams then set before us and had lived with Warrington for long periods in the Cup too. Furthermore we'd seen off the league challenge of the two teams relegated from SL the season before and, all season, had not lost to any of the KPC teams then in the 8s Expectation was high and predictions wild.

Then the wheels fell off.

A bad start sucked the air out of everyone. Another setback and we were as good as doomed as the fans were now watching the remainder through their fingers. It can't have helped the players as they sought to dispel their own doubts, and the rest is history.

There's a saying that rhymes in German (Geschichte - Gerichte) I can't recall the actual phrase but it amounts to history is guidance. This year there's not the same gungho, neither in the pubs nor on this forum nor, indeed, from the club. It's a little like nervous and partly introspective anticipation. The 8s need to start - and the cherry and whites need to start well. At least it's a day earlier than it might have been.

Go Leythe.......soon (in two senses).

We've made too many mistakes, given too many penalties away and leaked too many soft tries this season to trouble any SL teams. We've got away with it in the Championship because we've had by far the best individual players. Up against a team used to playing SL intensity rugby each week, coached by a SL experienced coach, unfortunately we will get embarrassed I think.

Joe you do talk a lot of negative nonsense, how about changing your name to Minus Joe.

Bloody hell i'm a bit of a glass half empty kind of bloke but yours can't have a drop in it

Yes we need to step up against the SL teams, but we've shown in patches what we are capable of. Do I think we can go up - a massive ask IMO, but don't write us off completely cocker, reckon we could surprise one of them