Just hope York don`t miss out on SL now after losing the Championship Final. Toulouse and London will get in, as they will bend all the IMG scoring rules for “expansions sake” (London are way down the IMG scoring table - 24th in September last year). The Chairman of SL, who is also the Bradford Chairman, will make sure Bradford get in. That leaves York missing out, despite having a better ground than Bradford, a better infrastucture than Bradford, a better team than Bradford, a much bigger catchment area than Bradford and a higher IMG score than Bradford. York are better than Bradford in whatever criteria they use, but still not certain that York will get the final place over Bradford. Why have IMG then ignore it when it suits them, as they are now stating that the three places in SL will be decided by a panel Either stick to IMG scoring or go back to Promotion and Relegation. York will be a shoe in using either of those systems.

That’s the problem with super league deciding to add 2 teams with other criteria then the IMG system that was so costly to set up. It will benefit the teams they want in. Bradford are undeserving in so many ways but big Nigel came back to the rfl for a reason. York, a couple of good years and they want super league. They haven’t earned it under any metric yet. I like the idea but it hasn’t worked over there for so many years. Toulouse don’t have the interest unless it’s against Catalans. London, apart from the latest influx of money, which they wouldn’t be doing without a promise, have under achieved. There is no obvious real top league teams out there at the moment. So which ⅔ teams will get in? Tbh. I hope for a regular home and away league and no loops. A regular 4 points each year from these matches. A chance of a trip away (London and Toulouse fit the bill. Not Bradford)

I live in York, so very biased, but York deserve a place much more than Bradford using any criteria you choose. Better ground, better IMG scoring, better performances, much bigger catchment area, financially sound, better infrastructure. They will also get far bigger crowds than Bradford would.

That’s the problem for me,none of the sides have outstanding claims,all come with negatives and rather than choosing a best option the RFL seem to be choosing the least worst. Bradford in the top flight after having more bailouts than than the Greek government, the latest reincarnation of London which will more than likely flop when the latest backers realising they’re flogging a dead horse and disappear as the others did. Then we have York,still unproven so being generous you could say they at least have a clean slate and Tolouse straight from the French union heartland. All are talking a good game but none have convinced me yet. None will be able to spend the full cap without accruing debt and we all know how that ends.There’s still the thorny subject of promotion and relegation which seems to be missing from any article I’ve read which needs to be answered. Even Huddersfield’s Super League spot is coming under questioning…who knows then. Maybe we should be happy with just having a place at the top table and four more winnable fixtures…..or even six 🤣

stuey I agree in the Bradford front but they’ll say when they were there last time they got 15k a week. That’s why they’ll get in

i know you wouldn’t have guessed it but ive lived in york for over 55 years & i have seen york in good times when Tommy Harris was a director & Gary Cooper was the coach & the crowds were very good when they played at clarence street. now york have a good ground & a good backer & i see no reason why they wont get into super league, but i am a CAS supporter & have been for as long as i can remember.

RaoulDuke Can’t live in the past. Will today’s generation flock to odsal. I doubt it very much.

Maturecasfan Today’s generation don’t flock anywhere,they want more bang for their buck. I can’t see any of the teams coming up being able to conjure up gates upwards of 5,000,success fills grounds and as Bradford found out you can try buying it but bankruptcy beckons. Where Cas score is our hardcore support has tended to stick with us through thick and thin some of our gates this season have been amazing given our performance. Could Bradford replicate that,or York once the novelty has worn off,doubtful.

Maturecasfan I agree. They need to prove that they are with a spot. I haven’t seen that from them since they went pop.

Rumours surfacing from journalists that not only will Bradford secure a Super League place but have actually overtaken Salford,Castleford and Huddersfield in the IMG gradings. If that’s the case all credibility has been stretched to breaking point!

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/bradford-bulls-secure-super-league-return-in-2026-as-first-hint-on-img-gradings-revealed

SL places 2026

Matt

I can’t even come up with a response. The RFL think they’re running a professional level sport, but they’re really not. At this point, it’s all make believe in their heads.

stuey

They obviously decided months ago who the three were going to be, so fiddled the IMG scoring to fit. No way can London go up 10 places, when they finished nearly bottom in a lower division than the previous season. Bradford have the worse ground in the Championship, but increase their score. It stinks of corruption!!

If York don’t get in, as appears likely, the whole thing is a complete stitch-up.

Hepworth

Absolutely no point in going through this whole farcical rigmarole when the outcome had been decided beforehand with the gradings and panel assessments manipulated to say what the RFL wanted them to say.

TheFirm

Rugby league really is a difficult sport to like these days. I’ve pretty much had my fill of all the corruption to be honest.

pirate

Sometimes i think we would be better as a big fish in a little pond rather than a small fish i the favoured teams large pond.
No doubt we will be in Superleague because those in control see us as easy points for their Marquee clubs.
The sport is really a farce off the field
I despair
CTID

Hepworth

pirate Up to us to improve so we’re not easy points for anyone.

Hepworth

Bradford in at 10th,Cas 11th,Hudds 12th and Salford gone.

RaoulDuke

>!!<
Just seen the results. Mr Jepson said something about the clubs boundaries changing so we get more points. A bit like Hull FC are now in partnership with North Lincolnshire. I would assume ours hasn’t gone through yet.

How hudds are now just behind us asks some questions.

How Bradford are that high is a good one.

How wakey are higher than us just on 1 league position over 3 years is another, especially after losing points with no cup wins .

Mr Jepson had been given some poor advice or there’s something else at play. I await his reaction.

RaoulDuke

https://castlefordtigers.com/article/75/super-league-status-confirmed-

Our reply is here

Matt

Well that’s Bradford confirmed after being awarded the highest grade B and as mentioned moves them from 16th to 10th….

yorky

well thats a big relief but what a farce & how the bull got in only Nigel will know

Matt

1 Hull KR 17.85 (A)
2 Leeds Rhinos 17.28 (A)
3 St Helens 16.74 (A)
4 Wigan Warriors 16.37 (A)
5 Leigh Leopards 16.33 (A)
6 Warrington Wolves 16.26 (A)
7 Catalans Dragons 16.11 (A)
8 Wakefield Trinity 15.47 (A)
9 Hull FC 15.06 (A)
10 Bradford Bulls 14.81 (B)
11 Castleford Tigers 14.66 (B)
12 Huddersfield Giants 14.65 (B)
13 Toulouse Olympique 13.25 (B)
14 York Knights 13.04 (B)
15 Salford Red Devils 12.65 (B)
16 London Broncos 11.65 (B)

That should put York and Toulouse in to the 14 - if London skip ahead of York then something is really off. I still can’t believe that Bradford suddenly found that many points to skip ahead into 10th….

Matt

Bradford score breakdown

Fandom – 3.9 out of 5 (down from 4.2 in 2024, a decrease of 0.3)
Performance – 2.5143 out of 5 (up from 2.17.14 in 2024, an increase of 0.3443)
Finance – 4.25 out of 4.5 (up from 2.75 in 2024, an increase of 1.5)
Stadium – 1.8992 out of 3 (up from 0.7811 in 2024, an increase of 1.1181)
Community – 2.25 out of 2.2 (no change from 2024)

Hepworth

Meanwhile the moderator on RL Forums is probably having a breakdown as having to suspend threads due to the amount of potentially libellous posts being made. Once removed the threads will be reactivated so even more libellous posts can be made. The very definition of pi**ing into the wind.

stuey

So despite Mr Jepson stating some weeks ago “our score will increase, we are a definite grade a and we don`t need to apply to be in SL, as we have a guaranteed place”, our score has gone down and we are now a grade b. HMM!!!.

yorky

so much for spreading the game, bradford are surrounded by other teams within a 14 mile radius?

yorky

yorky bradford are surrounded by 6 other teams within a 14 mile radius?

stuey

IMG are just taking the **** The scoring really is a joke.
“Salford Red Devils have improved their finance IMG score” How!!!!

Matt

Confirmed York and Toulouse will enter SL 2026

Hepworth

So York and Tolouse make it,and for me deservedly so,my overriding feeling now is one of relief. After a few belated headlines and the inevitable media inquest we can focus on our club and look forward to events on the pitch next season,we seem to be moving forward in terms of facilities as a playing group and a club. Interesting times on the horizon without the unnecessary distractions.

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