SL places 2026

stuey

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.

RaoulDuke

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)

stuey

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.

RaoulDuke

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

Hepworth

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 🤣