There are some problems with your argument, and principally the view that "we got in". We didn't "get in". We were already in, on playing merit. You were already out, on playing merit. No shafting involved for Widnes.

The issue is being looked at again now because we are three years further in and so we are able to make an assessment of it. It is making the game dull for the last third of the season from 10th spot down, and as I understand it, the Championship is going less well, because the big prize has gone.

In terms of the future, one of two things will happen: the top flight will become a sealed closed shop, with no one ever going out, or it won't, and there will be a one-club rotation every three years. In the first scenario, the Championship dies. The second scenario is just as bad, because that it means we have promotion and relegation, but by committee, and the Widnes argument appears to be that the committee-decisions reached so far have shafted one particular club, so why is that to be applauded.

Yes, franchising puts us at risk, but relegation doesn't exactly leave us safe either, because we could be gone by the end of 2011 if it was brought back for next year.

Because it's not based over past three years but 09/10. We finished SEVENTH last year, not eighth and are on course to finish 8th this year. 7+8 = 7.5. You're currently 10th but could finish 11th. A 10th place finish puts us equal. An eleventh place finish puts us better. However, if we finish in the play-offs twice that should look better than one play-off finish

In this morning's RLE the quote the odds from William Hill as:
Castleford 1/1
Wakefield 6/5
Salford 8/1
Quins 25/1
Crusader 25/1

If Sky are as powerful as we think they will want to keep Quins and the welsh concern in. Salford are a bit further on with their stadium AND SL/Sky will want to keep a Manchester team in. So it's a two horse race unless Quins can turn things around.

The trouble is, no criteria has been released. However, the old 'criteria' is no longer being used and obviously the criteria for performance will based over the last licence period, not prior to it.

Rugby League became a circus the moment they put Catalans in and said they could not be relegated for three years. Could you imagine the FA doing that? I think not! Crusaders come up, then shift there location, they have three premium coaches, and survive on gates circa 2000, where does their revenue come from? How do clubs like Quins, and Crusaders manage to be exempt from the rules everyone else plays by with regards to overseas players? The RFL says they can! The whole sport is becoming laughing stock! When will the RFL realise this is a NORTHERN game, the good people of Wales and London are not really bothered and it is high time the RFl stop bending the rules for them, and make Super League and equal competition!

Absolutely shocking.

yes I think I would be ashamed by that too, a small town club like Cas that has outdone a BIG city team like wakey

to me i think returning to P/R is vital for the future of RL, as a giants fan i can say the best thing that happened to us was when we were relegated after the shambles of the made up merger, i think the rfl should make the championship fully pro by investing some of the sky money there so when a side is relegated its not the end of the world. I also think the ground shouldnt be a major issue in the franchising bid but if it is how come odsal never seems to be mentioned about having to be redeveloped as imo its worse than all the others under threat.

if the last month has taught us anything, the bookies know naff all about SL!!!

thankfully.