https://twitter.com/AaronBower/status/1 ... 3723707392 Could be a last minute change that sees us go up automatically in 2nd place.

https://twitter.com/AaronBower/status/1 ... 3723707392 Could be a last minute change that sees us go up automatically in 2nd place.

If it's true I'm sure it won't be long before we see some coming along claiming that it's because we didn't finish top, RFL pets etc...

Bring it on. Zero fecks given here.

We could run a sweepstake. I'll open the bidding at 9.58 seconds after confirmation.

Full article.

Proposals have been tabled to Championship and League 1 clubs to expand the Championship to 14 teams next season as part of the plans to revamp the domestic league structure – which would include three teams, rather than two, being promoted from League 1 this year to increase the size of the competition.

The RFL have levied a proposal to Championship and League 1 clubs which includes expanding the second tier by two extra teams next season.

TotalRL can reveal that while the RFL and its member clubs have not yet signed off on any league structure following further meetings this week, it is thoroughly expected to get enough votes to go through.

If that happens, it means a number of dramatic late changes will be enforced into this year’s format in both Championship and League 1 that will have huge ramifications on both competitions. They are:

Only the side finishing bottom of the Championship will be relegated instead of the bottom two; 11th will now survive.
Rather than the side finishing top – currently York – automatically gaining promotion, the side finishing second – currently Bradford – will also go straight up.
The play-off series including the sides finishing between 2nd and 5th will change to the teams between 3rd and 6th, with the winner gaining the third and final promotion spot.
The huge changes would mean that Bradford, who are six points ahead of third-placed Workington with four games left, would be all-but assured of automatic promotion instead of having to face a play-off campaign after York usurped them at the top at the weekend. York would need one more win to now be guaranteed of Championship rugby in 2019; given their superior points difference, the Bulls realistically would only need the same.

None of the changes would have an impact on promotion and relegation to and from Super League this year. The top three sides in the Qualifiers will be joined in the top flight by the winners of the Million Pound Game.

100% Chalmers already knew this was happening. Not that it matters, but when you look at it this way everything that got announced in the past week or two makes a hell of a lot more sense.

Is there time for us to screw up second place yet?

If we lose all our games and Town win all theirs.

So what you're saying is.......promotion party after we beat Keighley? Perfect

Elaborate for me. You mean season tickets and Webster?

Already our first winner over on the VT

Only in Rugby League.... what a farce. I'll take it, don't worry, and I agree with Bullseye that I couldn't give a single feck about what anyone else thinks, but no serious sporting organisation should be changing the rules on promotion and relegation merely weeks from the season end, just confirms our small time standing in the wider picture.

Its probably the sensible way to structure the leagues going forwards from where we are, and us and York have been pretty much a class apart in this league, but its still poor from the RL. - Although I do note its still just a proposal, so when it actually becomes reality is still anybody's guess!

Hopefully we can overhaul York anyway in the remaining weeks and win the league.

I love RL, but my god it has possibly the thickest fan base in sport (and i include some of our own after seeing some of the rubbish Leon got tweeted). Of course the RFL decided on Sunday that lets change the entire structure just to get Bradford up. Even though we still have a reasonable chance of finishing top. In 3 days it's virtually signed and sealed and agree by all clubs. The RFL aren't quick at doing ANYTHING.

Yup. The timings of the announcements, the pricing of the tickets, everything.
Some said it was presumptuous at the time, but perhaps not?

To be fair, people were insistent last year that Chalmers must know something about not getting relegated when advertising season tickets and such. Then nothing ever materialsed on that front and the club were relegated after all, suggesting there was either no "insider knowledge" or whatever it was fell through.

I'm not getting my hopes up until it's completely passed through and confirmed by the RFL. Those in the know appear to state that it is all but confirmed and should be completed within 7 days.

What other 'professional' sport changes the rules 3/4 of the way through a season?! Absolutely farcical from the RFL but we should benefit from these last minute changes.

Unless, of course, we win and York lose next matches and then we will find the new structure is not signed off.

Let's wait to see what's actually decided officially before partying too hard.

Love this. If only in order to see the ensuing meltdown from Halifax if we get promoted in second place.

Don't forget the Keighley and Wakefield meltdows too.

Apparently the Bulls will be promoted but will have a 6 point deduction for not qualifying as champions.

RFL's pets. It's been a while.

Took exactly four posts on the thread on Total RL forum

Genuinely surprised it took so long

you lucky sods. RFL own your ground, and now this.