Everybody (except for fans of Featherstone, Leigh, Halifax and Sheffield) agrees that Super League is already a second rate competition. Most of its great talents have moved to the NRL and the remainder are likely to follow in 2015 and 2016. The number of quality NRL players coming to SL (players like Kevin Locke and Luke Walsh) is declining.

The natural trend towards decline in quality of SL, which was a result of the enrichment of the NRL, could have been partially countered by a vigorous RFL expansion policy, based upon growth of professional clubs in the south of England and France, which would have attracted new pools of talent. But such a policy required retention of licencing.

However the troglodytes who inhabit Red Hall would have none of that and have introduced a promotion and relegation policy that ensures SL contraction into the M62 corridor.

So as the NRL becomes the equivalent of the English Premier League in football, SL becomes the equivalent of the Russian Football Championship (SOGAZ) -- a credible but third rate competition.

Richard Lewis was taking rugby league in Britain into a bright future, with London protected and Toulouse likely to join SL in 2015. His departure has seen the return of the insular and backward thinking tendencies characteristic of Yorkshire rugby league administrators. We had a year (2013) in which the SL had no naming sponsor. Don't expect SL to win any great TV contracts in the future. Until the RFL is run by people with business experience (not village accountants) -- and preferably people with southern English business experience -- the game is going to stagnate at a third rate level, and neither England nor France will be able to compete with Australia.

SOGAZ are the sponsor, Barry. They're an Insurance Group.

Of course he was, the Celtic Crusaders have been a shining example of his genius

Richard Lewis wasn't to know that Celtic Crusaders had one too many crooks spoiling the broth.

If SL clubs get their junior development right and stop signing 2nd rate imports they might unearth another Hanley, Burgess or Tomkins.
That is what hey should be striving for.

How do you think they were financed? , they were running full time in Championship 1 without breaking the salary cap, Leighton Samuels wasnt the crook, also who was advising them on which visa's to use?

And believe me Leigh,Fax,Fev and Sheffield fans do not believe the ' Hype ' of SL, but you also are clearly delusional

HTH

How long should they be protected for, are you advocating that if London finish bottom on zero points and the third bottom club is on 14 points that London should be saved. It was in 1981 that they were formed, that is 33 years, surely this is long enough. You never know, a stint in the lower leagues might be just the catalyst they need to develop and come back (as we keep getting told by some on here is what Bradford need).

It's like you've just realised Australian RL is both more popular and therefore successful than English/European.

Shocking! Almost as shocking as the OP's lame attempt at trolling.

And if we've only got 5 or 6 great talents then we're screwed regardless of which side of the world they play.

Third rate to whom?????

You can't be rated third in a 2 horse race?

Look at the GB squad in the early 90's, genuine world class RL players. Better jnr development and marquee signing options for richer clubs, raid welsh union again sorted.

SL has been second to NRL for decades, nothing new there! One day I hope the game has the money to be able to invest in aggressive expansion to Toulouse, Wales and London again but it would take many many millions for many many years.

NRL has spent over $100million on just one expansion club over the last 16 years!

Can you explain your rating system?

Ta.

What you on about?

Toulouse (or anybody else) can apply to join Championship 1 in 2015. Then, if they are good enough, they could be in Super League 1 by 2017.

Under the system to be introduced in 2015 Toulouse suffer the disadvantage of the Championship salary cap, as do all the other Championship members. The odds are thus stacked against Championship clubs being promoted.

Under the current but soon to be abolished licencing system, Toulouse could have been invited into SL with the same salary cap as every other SL club.

That doesn't explain why Toulouse are likely to join SL in 2015 ...

They won't join in 2015 and may not in 2016 thanks to the reactionary "reforms" introduced by Red Hall.

This thread stinks of Barry McKenzie

But next year the salary caps in the Championship are being raised, wether Toulouse did actually comply with the SC as it was isnt conclusive anyway

As for Toulouse ' could have ' been invited, why? They are rubbish, they were rubbish

Aka 2nd rate troll. But yet people still bite!

This is a terrible thread.

Albert Rosenfeld is still just as boring in this current guise.