Does this mean we get Leigh as a surprise return entrant and Toulouse make their shock debut towards the end?

I like the random draw aspect too, how much prep to these professionals need. They know they are playing a game. When I was younger we had this kind of round robbin tournement. We did not have a clue who was next.

However I accept that as RL we change too often and many fans may not buy into the concept.

Whilst I like the IDEA of a random draw, it could never work in reality.

Someone said earlier that it would guarantee a full house. Well, yes it would, but (and here's the big thing) ONLY for the first game.

Say, for instance that you had every second team from last season on day 1.

That gives Wigan, Saints, Leeds, Huddersfield, Bradford, Salford, Castleford, Widnes (added as one of the 2 days has to have an extra game).

Now, let's say that Wigan v Saints comes out as the first game - Great game, BUT around 30% of the crowd may very well disappear afterwards.

Second game comes out as Leeds v Huddersfield - Nice Yorkshire derby.

However, you now have 3 teams with virtually NO travelling support, plus Castleford, who have a "smallish" support.

Basically, by the time you get to the last match, you could feasibly have a stadium with no more than 1-2000 spectators left.

OK, so it's a slight exaggeration, as you'll have a few supporters who will stay for all matches, regardless - Maybe - but is not at all beyond the realm of possibility.

For that reason alone, the RFL would not (and in my opinion, COULD not) go for that idea.

Now, as much as I'll be at the Magic match - whoever we get - It definitely needs to change.
I can't abide the fact that it skews the league.

They need to either
a. Switch a match (home team one year, away team the next) - Never happen, due to lost revenue
b. Play an entire round of the Challenge Cup there, instead - Possible, I suppose
c. Make it a yearly knock-out tournament - This would just turn in to an U20 7's tournament though.

Frankly, I cannot see how it can possibly continue, as it unfairly affects the table, every year.
Wigan v Saints - Toss Up. One team or the other in the title picture is guaranteed to drop points.
Warrington v Huddersfield (Easier match), Salford (joke) or Widnes (Utter F'ing joke) - Basically, an almost guaranteed 2 points to Wire, unless they screw up.
Catalans v London - Only 1 team in with a realistic chance of that win.
Leeds v Bradford - Joke
Hull FC v Hull KR - Great game, but not generally title-affecting.

Basically, I'm saying that out of the entire weekend, under the current format, ONLY Wigan and Saints out of the title contenders, face any true opposition every year.

For me - Scrap it.

Leeds v Wigan

Leeds v Wigan is true. How about Warrington v Saints to make it fair?

I keep saying it, base it on the table from the round before.

1st v 2nd
3rd v 4th
5th v 6th
7th v 8th
9th v 10th
11th v 12th
13th v 14th

So on last years table it would have been

Wigan v Wire, Hudds v Catalan, Hull v Saints, Bradford v Leeds, Hull KR v Salford, Cas v Wakefield, London v Widnes.

It would leave holes in such that you wouldn't know till pretty late which day you play but it's the only way you could guareentee massive, and generally competititive, fixtures for every team.

Magic game v Leeds 7:30pm Sunday 26th May

On last years table where do u get Cas v Wakey from. Wakey were 8th and Cas 13th

Where do u get Cas v Wakey from then. Wakey were 8th and Cas 13th

Based on the table the round before?

Indeed. I did go to great length to explain it.

Warrington play Saints and we play Leeds with Huddersfield playing Bradford .Salford play Widnes
I wonder if the rotation is
next year and so forth .
Wigan v Warrington or Saints one missing out play Leeds on a 3 year cycle .
Have they listened to my suggestion???

I had to laugh. Last night my eldest daughter and I were on our way to visit my mam (she's fallen and broken her hip) in Wigan Infirmary. My daughter thought it was unfair for Wigan v Leeds and Saints v Wire not to play on the same day at Manchester.

Her reasoning.
What about all the Wigan and Saints fans from Billinge who normally travel together for games like this.

.