Bradford won't be in the top 14 IMG gradings even if they win the Championship, which is looking unlikely anyway. They were 16th last year - 1.43 points behind Toulouse in 13th. 

I just can't see how Toulouse won't go up via IMG, even if they don't win the final. There's such a gap between them and the next club (York). But I hope they win it just to seal the deal and ruin the masterplan. There are officials, players, and most importantly fans who have shelled out time, energy and money to get that club to where it is. No different from any club in England. They've played by the rules, only to have the rules changed because of the self-interest of a few parochial club owners.


If Toulouse come up, we can safely assume Salford will finish 13th or 14th in the gradings and not get past the panel. Which leaves the panel choosing from York, London or Bradford. Anyone who knows the characters involved knows that it's Bradford and London coming up through the 'independent' panel. It's wool over the eyes but the nose still smells it.

If it has to be Bradford, then it also has to be York.

Agreed.  They're a good side and have a nice stadium.  

It’ll be Toulouse via IMG (check their data from last year and this year), then Bradford and London via the ‘independent panel’. I can explain why but I don’t think anyone cares.

Having a nice stadium or a good team isn't the point of IMG.
It is trying to establish financially stable with growth potential.


The stadium, finances and social media type checks establish that.


So I'm not sure what else an independent group is going to use to decide.

Looks like the lower leagues are being merged too. Big fan of that, and hope they go with a Championship East / Championship West format. There'd be a few mismatches (particularly in the short term for Newcastle and Keighley), but better crowds, less money spent on travel, more consistent end to each season, and a proper season for League One clubs. I assume it'd look something like this:


Championship East


Batley
Bradford or York
Dewsbury
Doncaster
Featherstone
Goole
Halifax
Hunslet
Keighley
Newcastle
Sheffield


Championship West


Barrow
Midlands Hurricanes
North Wales
Oldham
Rochdale
Salford
Swinton
Whitehaven
Widnes
Workington


Each team plays home and away. Then top 6 of each division come together for a play off series.