There is too little variety in the game these days , i much preferred the days of just one division when different teams came to town. Any more reduction in SL numbers will imo be an even bigger turn off & further marginalise the game . No wonder attendances at showpiece events are dwindling when just 12 clubs are realistically in with a shout.

I'm a fan of 14 teams to get rid of the Loop fixtures, however there are big questions on player numbers and central funding that need serious consideration.


For the past couple of years we have had clubs who are whipping boys, London & Cas last year, Salford this year.  Adding another two clubs won't help that picture and will spread the quality more thinly - especially with another two clubs coming in to the NRL over the next few years.


In terms of central funding the cake can't be cut a further two ways, there isn't enough to go round as it is, so either we are confident the move to 14 will increase broadcast income or the two new clubs would do it for free, French clubs told to find their own TV contract?


As for who should come up, Bradford have their merits in that there is a latent support base there for sure, but stadium quality and the fact the main person pushing for this being Nigel Wood - who until very recently was a Bradford shareholder doesn't sit right with me.  I would be bringing up Toulouse and London on the assumption they have the financial backing now to spend salary cap.

I've wanted a 14 team league for 10+ years now, i think the format is good, and play each team once home and away, with the challenge cup running as normal.
Lock it in like the NRL have done, and that leads to better progression for youngsters etc as you won't have to rely on overseas players to keep you up.
People argue that it would be unfair for other teams to never be able to come up, but there is a frightening shortage of actual clubs who could run at super league level long term.
Amplifies the development of youth, keeps funding locked in consistantly, etc etc
Each to their own but i'm a big supporter and advocate of it.
As for the teams coming up for me it would London 100% and maybe Featherstone. I love Catalans in the comp but not sure adding another French team would be a good idea?

For all the gene pool arguments about not enough players, the real issue for me lies with not enough money, whether revenue (Gate and TV money) and allied/additionally, Sponsorship. This is a circular downward spiral, your best 'sports' won't be picking RL as career pathway to fame and fortune (undeservedly so) and certainly not in enough numbers from areas outside the 'heartlands'. 


And for all our board get stick where would we be without them? Is the current SKY deal, a 10k crowd buying beer and pies once a fortnight enough to sustain us?  


I'm all up for a 14 team division, as the loop fixtures and a Magic game are counter intuitive to a league based competition and yes there's always the play offs to give a team a second bite to prove their worth but and without tempting fate, would you choose to play Salford, or Wigan three times and in fact would Solly be one of the 14 based on this year's mess or indeed Bratfurd based on previous mismanagement? 


In reality, the sport might be looking for London plus two teams     

                       

I think if it were to happen for next year, the decision needs to be made NOW.
If they leave it until the end of the year it doesn't give teams time to plan and prepare properly.
I completely agree about the lack of money though and what you said in regards to it still being sat in the heartlands, with not alot of expansion.
I do feel a locked in competition with London in gives them actual time to build on the fan base and advertising etc
I would like it but god knows if it's something that will actually happen?

And because of what you say regarding the economy of the sport I find it difficult that Toulouse would get in. Rather unfair given they were ranked 13 last time so would rightly deserve to come up on that basis but for sake of the lost finances from away supporters etc would make it tougher to divide the pie further. A counter argument to their exclusion would be some of the current clubs don’t exactly have a big travelling contingent though. 

Personally yes I would like 14 teams or in some way just get rid of the loop fixtures, they are horrible and always have been. The days of looking at the fixtures when they came out to see who you was playing and when that excitement as long gone when you can play the same team 3,4 even 5 times in a season takes the shine off it. Bit controversial here but I even think Magic weekend has had its day.