The drive to improve standards among all RL clubs should be applauded and is a positive for everyone involved in the sport.
However, the bottom line here, is that we are still left with the same clubs battling it out for a place in SL.
Everyone has a preference but, with all this upheaval, what tangible benefits will the sport actually see ?

Looking at the top end of the ratings, you can see Bradford, York , Newcastle and Toulouse in there and then of course there is London.
Ranked 24th but, in SL on merit.

London (ranked 24th) gained their place in SL on merit (winning the Championship GF), they shouldn't be relegated because a different club has more plastic seats or "tweets". It's just wrong.

IMG should be spending their time securing a worthwhile TV deal and settling a decent International program and fundamentally, RL needs to decide just what it is ultimately trying to achieve.

IMG are going to have to come up with some fats talking to justify promoting and relegating certain clubs.

I can see how Trinity can benefit from the new criteria but, none of this sits well and ultimately, whichever 12 clubs make the final cut, how much actual progress will the sport make.

There are bgger issues to solve, especially the international calendar and shrinking TV deal right now, what we have is expensive "tinkering"

Although it maybe wishful thinking I just can't see that happening very soon, there is simply not enough money to go round.

Maybe but, Leigh will be rated higher than their provisional score as their Challenge Cup success isnt included and if Cas jump above us (on appeal) we are down to 12th spot. - the whole concept is just wrong.
We may benefit initially but, until RL decides what it is trying to achieve, the criteria can soon be changed to suit someones new "best" idea.

Or quality players.

this is exactly correct, like it or not these figures will be manipulated in every way possible to achieve the desired result.

100 % correct

I agree, but with all our smalls wins we can get to add onto the score, plus the bits not counted this time, stand, takeover etc, we will boost up. We are less than a point behind Huddersfield and I can't see how they gain anymore. Add in the whole SL needs Bradford argument, I can just see it happening.

On the whole, I think we should be very happy with our score, but the fact that London are as good as relegated before the fixtures are even released just doesn't sit right with me

Good post

Both Salford and Toulouse have known financial problems yet score so high, Salford actually higher than Shudds

It's all nonsense.

I agree and admire your optimism but we're dealing with the rfl here, I wouldn't trust them to run a bath. These figures will get used and abused till they get what they want. Our saving grace may not be the ground or academy but the fact matt Ellis as deep pockets and the game needs blokes like him

Our financial stability also improves when the new stand is 'opened' as it then counts as a fixed asset on the balance sheet.

Agreed. I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and next year if they create/manipulate the gradings, I will moan. But as it stands, I can only see maybe Salfords grading that seems out of sync with what I'd have expected.

The point IMG are making is, to improve the TV deal, they need a better product......and that includes stadiums and financial stability.
It's the bigger picture not the plastic seats.

With the provisional scores made public it makes it extremely difficult to manipulate the points for any one specific club. It is clear that London is too far away to close the gap to make the top 12 which somewhat validates IMG’s independence at this time.
I would prefer to be in the top 12 on points at this time because it is ours to lose and we are now in the strongest position to increase our score making it very difficult for those below us to generate enough additional points to replace us.
I think today just follows on from the good news of yesterday.

Looking good atm, but I hope to god that it doesn't go to golden point.

Quote: burtonsrlfc "Looking at the scores, it wouldn't suprise me to see 14 teams for the 2025 season onwards'" IMG's views on a 14 team SL: https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... 4-27980826

Quote: burtonsrlfc "Looking at the scores, it wouldn't suprise me to see 14 teams for the 2025 season onwards'" IMG's views on a 14 team SL: https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... 4-27980826