I don’t think they are using the 2020 criteria, I think that’s Aaron Bower just musing on it. No one knows the criteria yet. 


I guess they can’t say the winner of the final comes up just in case Fev, Doncaster, or even Toulouse wins it. In practice, if York or Toulouse win it, it’ll probably give them enough IMG points to come into the 12 anyway. 


I’ve followed the game’s governance/old boys club too long - I can see the scenarios playing out already, and happy to have this thrown back in my face if I’m wrong!:


If Toulouse win it, then Toulouse, Bradford and London will come up.


If York win it, it’ll be York, Bradford and London.


If Bradford win it, it’ll be York, Bradford and London.


There’s only one scenario in which York and Toulouse both make it, which is if Huddersfield have dropped enough points under IMG to drop into 13th place, and Toulouse make 11th and York 12th.


Then Huddersfield and Bradford will be bounced back up.

Looks like they are doing an 8 team playoff NRL style.
Which I like apart from it being 8 in a 14 team comp. It means you could in theory win the comp while finishing in the bottom half of the league.

Would be better with a top 7 and the first place team gets a week off while 2v7, 3v6 and 4v5 play each other.

Works both ways ,injuries play a big part in were teams finish .Think most will agree injuries have stopped us from defiantly finishing in the top six . So gives a chance to teams who have a load of injuries that get there full team back in time for the play off 

I’m all for a 14 team league as long as Bradford aren’t back it in until they make improvements to that “ground”.

We cannot now take the high ground on facilities just because we have found a benefactor capable of funding the work at Belle Vue. We had for at least 25 seasons survived in SL with little or no money spent on improvements.
It could be argued that why should those clubs sharing a football stadium be allowed to have the fixture list gerrymandered meaning they benefit from a run of home games towards the end of the season. If they share and the football club want to do work why can’t they be made to play at a neutral venue.

I think we can seeeing as it was everything that away fans banged on about.And Bradford for example, they have had plenty of opportunity timewise to do something with Odsal.

Yes but we had 25 seasons in SL but did very little. I would say Bradford will be given the same opportunities as the rest wanting promotion. I doubt they will take anyone’s personal objections into consideration. 
I am just relieved we will not be part of the process because we will certainly be in the top 12.

There is a new Australian team next year in there S L so that could cut down the players ,coming over hear

Not read back but my initial thoughts are that I think a 14 team comp is the right way to go. 


Realistically Bulls will struggle beyond the short term without considerable investment unless thousands of fans come out the woodworks probably not seen in a decade. The stadium was in a state last season. A new pitch is needed and the terracing was covered in orange dust etc. A new pitch and cosmetic upgrades may see it look a bit more appealing but long term without significant investment I have reservations about Bradford. 


York would be my number 1 pick to be the most successful. 


They are probably in a similar boat with bulls to fans that they need to effectively double their fan base to be sustainable long term. They are very good at marketing and socials and perhaps this will aid them in that front. What they have over Bradford is a newish 8.5k stadium that looks better and is probably more cost effective and functional. It won’t be a weight on their backs. 


Toulouse I think have gone from 2000-2500 fans to doing double headers with other teams to keep them in the 3000+ bracket for the points. I would say a lot of that income from extra fans won’t see their coffers and it likely won’t be a true or sustainable reflection of their fan base. Again, a club that needs sustainable investment and to double their fan base. 


Some of the away supporters should go some way to increasing the attendances for these clubs so that will be a small part of the battle, perhaps if they market it right they could bridge the gap somewhat for these clubs rest. 


I do think it is the way forwards and a if the drive and investment is there in 2/3 years we could see the comp really flourish with a view to look at 16 teams in 4/5 years time. 


I would hope that a reserves comp and academy are mandatory though and I think an extra few teams after a few years will see the player pool increase too.

Ellis has spoken on JDs show about this.
He says the intention is to assess the extra teams to make sure they are ready. If not then it might nit be 14 teams.


Now I'm quite pro IMG so was not happy about the extras being assessed differently but if what it means is an assessment to make sure the teams in 13 and 14th place are high enough in the rankings to succeed then fair enough.
IMG was always about getting a league of As.
If expending to 14 means you are letting in a C, then you shouldn't do it.


I guess we'll see whether it's just badly explained.