Top four in the championship is breaking away now:
London 12
Toulouse 12
Featherstone 12
Toronto 11
5th place is Dewsbury on 6 points with a game in hand. This is going to be one of the better middle 8's. I just hope that we don't lose Catalans from SL even if we get London, Toulouse and Toronto through. Having said that, it is unlikely that three teams will go up from the Championship next year. Depending on the structure next year we could see all three plus Catalan in the SL anyway. If they were ever going to strategically adjust the structure, this is the year to do it with three key expansion clubs in the top four of the championship and one in the drop zone in SL.
Didn’t they say the announcement would be made prior to the start of the season if expansion was happening?
To ensure every club knew what was at stake?
Yes they did, but they didn't deliver. I wouldn't be surprised if we got a surprise at the end of the season. It will probably depend on how the teams go that they want in SL.
Good chance for the other teams to make up some ground with Toulouse vs London, Featherstone vs Toronto, Toulouse vs Toronto and Leigh vs London all happening over the Easter weekend.Top four in the championship is breaking away now:
London 12
Toulouse 12
Featherstone 12
Toronto 11
5th place is Dewsbury on 6 points with a game in hand. This is going to be one of the better middle 8's. I just hope that we don't lose Catalans from SL even if we get London, Toulouse and Toronto through. Having said that, it is unlikely that three teams will go up from the Championship next year. Depending on the structure next year we could see all three plus Catalan in the SL anyway. If they were ever going to strategically adjust the structure, this is the year to do it with three key expansion clubs in the top four of the championship and one in the drop zone in SL.
They will piss a lot off in the heartlands if they just decide end of season to promote more teams than they said at the start of the year and it’s London, Toronto and Toulouse that benefit.
I wouldn’t be against it myself but it’s a situation that should have been avoided.
If the 'heartland' teams are good enough, they'll be up there to have a case to be 'promoted' in an expanded format.
The point is if they expand it at the end of the season it looks like they have done it just to the benefit of the top expansion teams.
This should have been publicised at the start of the season so everyone had fair warning, or happen for next season.
People would argue that if clubs knew there was guaranteed promotion spots available the clubs could have invested more to try and take advantage.
It’s just bad management really.
Toronto could (hopefully) play a few games at BMO field (capacity) 30,000. While Lamport can fit 10,000. Toulouse could play out of Stade Ernst Wallon where rc Toulouse play most of their games. And as for London they need to upgrade to a bigger stadium anyway but not sure where their ‘fans’ are situated.At least if Catalans continue to suck and finish outside the top 12 the team likely to replace them will be another "expansion" club. Not sure what happens if it's Toulouse or London because neither has a SL ground. Toronto don't either in reality but it won't be an issue.
Yep. There are other options. Although London won't pull a crowd regardless of where they play.Toronto could (hopefully) play a few games at BMO field (capacity) 30,000. While Lamport can fit 10,000. Toulouse could play out of Stade Ernst Wallon where rc Toulouse play most of their games. And as for London they need to upgrade to a bigger stadium anyway but not sure where their ‘fans’ are situated.
I could see Toulouse and Toronto pull bigger crowds in sl, but I think it would just be the Same old fanless London if they got up.Yep. There are other options. Although London won't pull a crowd regardless of where they play.
There will definitely be an increase in crowds if they go up, no doubt. But I can seem them only averaging about 2-3000 still. Something like Salford let's say.I could see Toulouse and Toronto pull bigger crowds in sl, but I think it would just be the Same old fanless London if they got up.