I full understand your point. Unfortunately it is not held up by the fact that Saints chose to put out a weakened side the week before the final. This happened before the competition was moved to the summer. It is the fault of the rules that allow teams get away with this dubious practice.

Contrary to your assertion, Saints did not lose "form" last August. They maintained their run all the way to the Grand Final. I suspect that your view is based on the fact that Leeds imploded after the final against Hull. Don't Leeds implode at this time every year, shag, irrespective of involvement in the CC?

So Les Cats winning is because of the cup? They beat Salford 3 weeks before the game against Saints and ran the Saints team close over the easter weekend earlier in the season having played and having to travel to France just like St Helens so just because they won (oh the shock of them winning!!) that is another reason to scrap the cup?

Now you just look desperate.

Facts my good fellow mere facts

Saying that, Wigans domination of the cup way back when wasn't any good for the game either, if the RFL further developed NL teams and helped them all go full time and got the standard up to a low level SL team - Hudds for example - then the cup would be a more competitive altho not likely to throw up many sides from NL1 2 and beyond winning it, it sure would improve it

Develop the teams to improve the cup don't just rid RL of what is the most Historic cup in the sport

Make the SL team wear those bicycle cranks a la 'Its A Knockout'

Should do