Responding to Wilf’s question (the quote function seems to be brock)…

I don’t know why Rovers aren’t announcing attendances. I can’t even really come up with anything much good by way of speculation.

Ranking doesn’t matter for attendances. I suppose they don’t want to disincentivise going to away games! Any club that gets a 7.5k average gets the full 2.5 points available. Less than that but >3k is 2 points, then 1.5 points for 1.5k and 0.75 for anything below that (all the way down to zero, slightly oddly).

Rovers are far enough above the 7.5k to get the points but if I was Cas or Leigh owner id be doing a lot of freebies!

I do wonder if IMG will audit some of the numbers somehow, or we might see some iffy counting at some clubs.

Don’t forget that ranking isn’t purely for ESL but all RL clubs. The idea as I understand it is that all 3 leagues ESL/Champ1/Champ2 are graded using IMG ratings and a lower league club can replace higher league clubs if they’re outpointed. Not sure if I make sense. Love your attempt at a Hull accent by the way (brock) my favourite was ,” giz a croggie oar al bray ye wiv me sanny “

As things stand I cant see anything other than the current 12 getting the spots.

Leigh may have been in danger when the season started but have added crowds, a CC win and likely top4 finish to their score that already included a good ground.

Bradford will score better than most in the Champ on crowds and stadium size but will be pinned back by poor league finishes.

Wakefield's new stand has come at a great time for them as it ticks all the minimum stadium requirements.

Toulouse will do ok on crowds and for winning the Champ in 2021 but I dont think they want a 2nd French team right now.

What happens in the 2nd phase of grading in 3 years time might be more interesting. Youd hope those progressing will be rewarded but knowing RL we'll have moved the goalposts and be onto a new idea by then!

It’s regraded every year, as I understand it - unlike the 3-year licences that were granted in 2009 and 2012.

Do apologise in advance if this is off subject but looks like clubs have been advised of their IMG status (based off the previous 3 seasons). Be interesting to see what grade we find ourselves under.

I thought in a recent survey , The fans were mostly infavour of TO been in SL .
Bradfords ground is a mess with large parts taped off as it's unsafe . I cant see IMG giving + points for Odsal now .

For me its the lack of TV revenue from France that is the issue, even a small amount would take away the 'they bring no away fans' arguement. Also it impacts SKY as French viewers dont contribute to their viewing figures.

And agree on Odsal but depends how deep they are looking at the facilities, if they are just looking at capacity then it will get a tick, if they are sending asessors out to have a look it might be different.

Got to say I also agree re Bradford and Odsal as just can't see how any points can be awarded for the ground as it really is now nothing more than a crater, it is in a very sad and sorry dilapidated state.

maybe Catalan and Toulouse could get a tv deal if there was a guarantee both clubs would be exempt from relegation

Im not so sure, Catalans won the cup and made a Grand Final and Toulouse got promoted and French TV still expected rights for free

There's a lot of politics still within the French game sadly . I agree with Ullfc I don't think the two clubs could have done much more on the field to highlight there is a game in France .
L'Équipe have been streaming some games recently but RL is way down any potential tv deal .