I dont like the idea, but if there must be a conference system, why not something like this which could work:
Pool A
1. Wigan
2. Leeds
3. Warrington
4. St Helens
5. Toulose
6. Hull
7. London
8. Catalans
Pool B
1. Castleford
2. Wakefield
3. Hull KR
4. Salford
5. Widnes
6. Huddersfield
7. Bradford
8. Lezignan
Advantages
The teams in pool A are mostly well drawing teams, big name teams or one town one city isolated teams. The big name northern teams dont need derby games to draw well and suffer the least from. the one team one city teams struggle with attendances and getting away support but these games i imagine would be best for them. Each of these teams would concentrate on getting home support more than away support.
Pool B teams are all traditionally strong teams and their are good existing rivalries between all the teams. The game against one french team means that these club supporters can market the french game as an away weekend (like catalan currently is). All clubs here are solid supporting clubs and all could hope to compete in the end of year super bowls. Taking out the big clubs in the other group is compensated for these clubs by removing the poor drawing clubs and they can build their crowds slowly. Also, the conference set up gives these sides a realistic chance of winning the whole superleague and that will do more for crowds than anything else.
Finances - This requires the financing of two teams (Toulouse and Lezignan) both could be financed and indeed it has been talked about in the past. So i think the financing is there to make this a realistic option and with the two French teams coming in, Toulouse is almost certain to bring the finances to compete regardless of what happens. Lezignan are obviously a smaller club (finance wise) and their are other options. Perhaps even in france, but i have stuck with them because they are a traditional club from a taditional area, and they have the ability to attract supporters, rebrand even relocate etc. In the short term, i think they deserve a shot. The advantage of a French side is that they give that one or two weekends a year travel option. Also, unlike a Welsh or Northern English club, they will not lower any standards because every player picked for them will likely not come from England (presumably Toulouse will be the same) There are plenty of Australian players who would prop up the local French, so you would be left with 16 teams of the same quality as is currently had.
Competitiveness- By using a conference system (and one solitary superleague table), it means a number of things. Firstly, for the first time in ages clubs like Castleford,Hull KR etc could legitimately top the table. Secondly, big clubs like Wigan, Saints Leeds etc will need to really perform to make the finals and there are no guarantees i think this should increase interest in their games. There is a downside in that toulouse, London and Catalans might struggle to compete, but both have in the past shown an ability to compete with the big clubs (Catalans arguably are one at the moment). And Toulouse wanted big games and superleague. I get the feeling that this sort of setup might force these clubs to really lift their game.
Crossover games. Presumably this set up would see three rounds played. This leaves crossover games of one or maybe two games. The first could be rivalry based eg Hull vs Hull KR etc, which would get huge crowds and be marketable games. While the second could be based on standing after two rounds ie 1 v 1, 2 v 2 etc.
After initially not liking the idea, having thought about it, i am starting to come around. I think it might be worth a go or at least worth further consideration.
