You’re right, but I don’t think the current setup can last. There are some great clubs in League One and Championship that run on sponsors, ticket sales, merch and hospitality alone.


Through Salford, London and even the Trin to an extent, it’s been proven that unless you have a rich backer like us, Wigan, Hull, Leeds, KR, Catalans, Saints, Warrington, Huddersfield (for now), and Leigh, you can’t survive in super league. 
But clubs in the lower leagues absolutely can. Salford probably have to return to that unless/until a rich backer comes in - but if there was a willing party, I think that would’ve happened by now.


Toulouse will be an easy swap for Salford in 2026. Then we’ll see if Bradford, London and York can grow enough (because that’s what this is really about) for 27/28/29.

I'm not sure it will happen like that for Salford.
When its a sudden drop you keep going because the fans walk away and it's hard to get them back.


When Wakefield went down we had an extra boost to drag the fans along.
Similar when Cas went down.


I think if we'd lost the first million pound game it would have taken years to get back.


Salford will be left with the very core of the core if they go down to League 1.


I agree you'd think Toulouse are the most likely but Bradford is the real forgotten golden egg.
Hopefully if they see a possible route they'll drag investment in too.

I know what you mean. But I do think their academy, local talent, a bit more money than the likes of Workington and Swinton via sponsors and gameday would get them out of League One after a couple of years. I do think their core is about 1,500 fans who are mad for it. I’m definitely not saying they’ll get a rich benefactor - there’s obviously no one willing. 


I’d be all for Bradford if they sorted some key things out. But that’s why I quite like IMG - it’s not perfect but it does help determine which clubs are strongest across the board. In an ideal world you’d trim Super League to just the Grade A clubs, and make the almost-theres earn it through improving their ground, building attendances, bringing in more sponsors. A few clubs are in that bracket - Toulouse, Bradford, York, London - but they’re not quite there in a few respects, and I don’t think RFL need to replace one struggling club with another with a ramshackle ground, poor attendances, not enough money to compete etc. As soon as they do that, bring them up one by one and expand it again.


But, of course, there’s a broadcasting deal to negotiate, and that’s going to be a bit more difficult with 10 or 11 teams.

I think that was always the plan. There just wasn't enough As.
Even now we and Cas are close to the edge. 
We could easily drop out of the As.

Interesting you say Toulouse would be a easy swap for Salford Mr Ellis did say he  did not want 2 French teams in  S L  Do not bring enough to the game as in have no away support along with other things

It's not like Salford bring loads

Same 21 as last game. 


I think the only thing I would maybe change is Nikotemo on bench for Scott. Croft had a very good game last week so think he deserves to keep the spot. 

I have a lot of time for ME and what he's doing for the club but I disagree with his viewpoint on this. Toulouse could be a great addition to the league and it's up to the home support to fill the stadium, not away fans. 

Doesn't matter what anyone thinks tbh - IMG will decide who plays in SL in 2026.......

Will they though?!

But it is the away fans that make a difference to the French teams home  support, you can not have it both ways .Away fans are making a difference to our average of seven and a half thousand .The French teams away support makes Huddersfield away support look like a top 4 club