Understanding the Eights So we’ve reached the great divide, and the split into five divisions has taken place. But what actually happens now? It's pretty complicated but we will try to simplify it here to assist your enjoyment over the rest of the season, and hopefully spike your interest in what is going on in the competitions where your own club doesn't have a direct interest. Across five new competitions there is everything to play for. READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

Understanding the Eights So we’ve reached the great divide, and the split into five divisions has taken place. But what actually happens now? It's pretty complicated but we will try to simplify it here to assist your enjoyment over the rest of the season, and hopefully spike your interest in what is going on in the competitions where your own club doesn't have a direct interest. Across five new competitions there is everything to play for. READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

Doesn't say the bottom two are relegated?

Yes it does.

I think that's all we need to know. In fact, I thought I knew that already.

But - barring restructures - we are already relegated! Have been for weeks! What purpose is served by pretending we're not?

I mean, I understand that Toovey and the team have to publicly stick with the arithmetical possibilities simply because they can't throw in the towel (unfortunately), but anyone else? Mad.

Totally agree.

Can anybody think of any instances before when a new competition started, the current holders had zero chance of winning it

The only one I can think of was the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest when the UKs entry, the fabulous Bardo with "One Step Further" could not repeat the wonderful winning performce the previous year by Bucks Fizz with "Making Your Mind Up", all time classic

I think I understand it.
But just in case my single brain cell is failing or there is an amebae from planet Mars reading this thread;

We start 11 points behind the lowest of the rest of the pack.
We play 7 games, with a maximum of 14 points if we win all the other games,
But since only 2 other teams are currently on less than 14 points we need both of them to lose at least 6 of their 7 games.

So basically if we lose 1 game - we're relegated
If either Swinton/Oldham win 2 games - we're relegated (albeit Swinton could actually just win 1 dependent on points difference)

So. When we lose our first game - the rest of the games are basically just to fulfil the fixtures for the RFL [uAGAIN[/u,
Which the players/club I suppose have to do otherwise we'll get a fine or point deduction?
Its a fvckin farce.
Since the players/club cant tell the RFL to stuff their fixtures - would it make any difference if all the (remaining) Bulls fans boycotted the rest of the games (after we've lost the first one)? as a show of our

Does the 2017 season ticket include entry to the meaningless Shield (home) fixtures. If so will go, if not won't be.

I don't recall it ever being stated, but I always assumed it would be included. If they're not, they better get extra stewards in as there will be plenty of arguments at the turnstiles!

To be fair, I guess they have to.

I doubt they seriously expect any [imore[/i to turn up - they'd be idiots if they did - but they have to go along with the pretence. It's bit like all the references to "training the house down", they know it's claptrap, but they nave to say something just to console those who go anyway.

I will have a guess at bulls vs Toulouse our first game as we are full time and rest are part time. Give the part time teams to organise Things.

Delayed issue of Championship fixtures by 24 hours - ongoing issues at Swinton or elsewhere? Further subterfuge from the RFL? Or simply trying to ensure we take nil points form the next 7 games which we don't realistically need any additional help to achieve....

I have read in twitter (not saying its true) but the delay is with players getting time off work to go to Toulouse.

It could be about Toulouse travel - although the same delay didn't happen in League One where four clubs suddenly found out they had to go to Toronto. More likely it is about the availability of grounds at Rochdale and Oldham where there will be football games already booked. And Sheffield have to dovetail in with Wakefield's fixtures.

What else can you expect when fixtures for the start of August are not known until the end of July? Only in Rugby League...

Good think Paul. I'm not a football fan so I didn't know when the season started

Just been having a read on Sheffied Facebook page, as I'm a valued member on there, a good point has been raised.

Was the Shield final at Odsal last year because the Bulls were the highest placed team that made it through

If that's the case it could very well be at Toulose this year. Imagine the crowd for that

Yeah. After the 7 Shield games we were at the top and then had a semi final against Dewsbury. Had we lost that it would have been at Sheffield.

Saying that, the 2015 version was between Featherstone and London and that was played at Widnes? So god knows. Personally not a fan of 'finals' being played at home grounds. Still annoyed they play the World Club Series at 'home' grounds instead of neutral.

You can just imagine the conversation at Red Hall yesterday;

"Ok we've released the fixtures for the Super 8's and the Qualifiers so now lets do the Championship........wait a minute!"

"Whats wrong?"

"Our favourite pets, Bradford have finished bottom!.....and looking at the stats they will be relegated!"

"Wtf !... how did that happen.....we never saw that coming.....shoite......the fans will be well annoyed with us.....what can we do?"

"....Dont worry, I have a cunning plan.................................................."

(to be continued

)

First fixture to be announced on Thursday. Although when on Thursday presumably is left up to guesswork...

They really are a shambles.

Good call Sir, hope you put some money on that!

Nice that relegation will be finalised after the first week of the 8's anyway, will stop us getting any hope up with a few early wins.

Give this man a beer. Seriously as an outsider looking in can the RFL screw your club over any more? New club but we will deduct you 12 points, oh and can you play in Championship as it would stuff our fixtures up and Bash if you start (as you should) in Ch1. Oh, can you also play Hull KR 3 times so our crowds for the bash look good. Finally, we didn't expect Toulouse to be in the shield and the part time clubs need a bit of time to sort time off, so would you be a darling and play them first even though that may relegate you and you'll have no fans for remaining fixtures. Really it's in your best interests as the RFL pets.

Well what can I say!!!!

I am glad that it's happened though as we will know after the first weekend that we are going down and we can hopefully prepare correctly (fingers crossed) for league 1.

You are at home to Toulouse, good luck.

I wish other fans could see this too. It still beggars belief that people think we're getting some kind of special treatment from them.