According to form, both Hull clubs and an abstention from Wigan.


In principal, moving to a 14 club SL, with a balanced fixture program is absolutely the right way forward.
However, there are two huge issues here. 
Primarily, using IMG gradings for 12 clubs plus 2 clubs chosen by an "independent" panel is just wrong.
Either go "all in" with IMG or, use a different model completely.
More importantly, given the "quality of the bottom 3 clubs in SL, there is an argument that we should be cutting SL numbers and not 
increasing them.
Finally, with Nigel Wood now seemingly running the show, does anyone have faith in the "independent" panel.


Call me a cynic but, assuming they dont have the required number of IMG points, the 2 "wildcard" clubs will most likely be, Bradford and London.


Also, what happens in the following season, is the drawbridge being pulled up or, are we to have promotion and relegation and would the "wildcard" clubs be exempt.


The organisation at the top of our sport is an absolute shambles.
We are in the first full year of IMG and already, we are giving up[ on the process and this is whilst shelling out heaps of cash for their services.


The only positive here is a "balanced" fixture schedule but, the planning and methodology are utterly flawed and the inability of the sport at being able to make a coherent plan
and stick to it is shameful.


Rant over,

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.

Although it wouldn't help us this year, the top 5 play off was the best of the lot, with the top 2 having more chance to make the GF.