a) We brought back the derby games where possible?

b) We moved the event back to Cardiff.

I certainly would be looking forward to the weekend a whole lot more if it was in Cardiff and had the derby format once more.

Derby games have that tension and sense of expectation that comes with them. Fans want to see them and fans enjoy it even if they don't always like the result.

As it is Murrayfield seems to be the wrong location and although Edinburgh is a great city the ground is not in the right location. It is well out of the way and the pubs and things to do around the ground you can count on one hand. Cardiff on the other hand has pubs all around, restaurants all around, Cardiff Bay a short taxi ride away for those that want a quieter time and is surrounded by towns and cities with cheap accomodation.

Before somebody accuses me of being bias I have travelled to Murrayfield once and will be doing again so the distance is not an issue for me. The fact the ground seems to be in the middle of nowhere when Cardiff seems hand made for this type of event is what sticks in the throat.

What do others think?

a) No. It's too close to Easter anyway
b) Yes.

Cardiff is way better than Edinburgh IMO.

I obviously agree with your point b but do you not think KR fans would not turn up in the anticipation of getting one back on their cross city neighbours and Leeds and Bradford fans would not turn up to see if their club cannot return to winning ways against the enemy.

I think they would certainly turn up in greater numbers than for the fixtures they have been presented with at this years event.

Not me, and I'm a Wigan fan aswell. I'd rather keep it at 2 derbies a season and there's always chance of a play-off derby. A couple of years ago we were playing Saints 4 times a year while they were at their peak. How is that a fair fixture list?

There is no excuse at the moment though as if you went with the derby fixture idea it would be very even aside from the odd fixture.

Cas-Wakey
Saints-Wigan
Leeds-Bradford
KR-Hull
Quins-Catalans

All very even.

I'd be going to Murrayfield if we were playing Saints.

Well there's one who would if it was a derby game.

I would put quite a bit of money there are many who would go if it were the derby format.

I also know of many who will not go back to Edinburgh and moan about the rfl taking the weekend from Cardiff. I think both the derby fixtures returning and a return to Cardiff would see a big rise in attendance across the board.

I like Edinburgh, it's easier to find somewhere to stay, the ground is far more accessible by public transport. I prefer Edinburgh to Cardiff, but i'm not willing to go spend that amount of money on a League game i'm going to the week after.

Scrap the whole thing and have a meaningful international instead

We should make the weekend a nines competition.



With the winner of the whole competition that day getting the two super league points.

The two ways to spice up the weekend:

Have local derbies, but the big ones.

IE - Saints v Warrington
Wigan v Salford
Hull v Cas
Leeds v Wakefield
Huddersfield v Crusaders
Quins v Catalans
Bradford v Hull KR

OR

Draw all the teams out of a hat on Saturday morning.

At a time when we are trying to build support for the game in Wales it makes no sense what so ever to not be playing it in Cardiff. What the heck does playing it in Scotland do for the game?

How about if they played the first games of the season as the 'Magic Weekend'. Market it as some sort of grand opening to the season.

Play 2 v 2

Wigan and Saints v Salford and Wire
Leeds and Wakey v Bradford and Cas
Quins and Catalans v Crusaders and Huddersfield

Each team fields all 26 players, but if you get taken into touch you're out of the game. No substitutions.

And then just finish the day with the Hull Fc and Hull KR v all the supporters

It increases interest and knowledge that the game exists in Scotland.

That would be a gimmick too too far. Teams have to prepare for games.

As for the derby debate, let's not kill it any more than it already has been. The better argument is for there to be the next round of the cup (last 16) MM style, especially given how low attendances are for that round.

I think most people who were going to go would go regardless of the fixtures. There'll always be a few but there's only really 3 crowd pulling derbies anyway. As a wire fan im not bothered if we play salford, KR, Hudds or whoever.

The problems are money, location, money.
Top and bottom

Either turn it into a stand alone competition with a trophy up for grabs or scrap it. A 9s (or 7s) knockout cup with the 14 SL clubs plus the two Championship Grand Finalists from the previous season. 8 ties on Sat and then QFs, SFs and Final on Sun (7 ties). A sudden death tournament with a piece of silverware up for grabs has more appeal as an event than any number of league fixtures that ultimately mean very little.

Most fans will not travel to wherever it is held to watch a league fixture they will be able to see twice more that year at venues much closer to home and much cheaper to attend.

Many fans that will attend are not interested in seeing league games that don't involve their team but will be more willing to watch knowing that the winner may be their opponent later on in a cup.

Having the opportunity to watch a cup played from start to finish is also more appealing to locals than seeing one weekend's fixtures from a league they do not watch.

5th round of the cup would be ideal. Maybe even two four-game event in different stadia, if 8 games in a weekend would be too much for one pitch.

Leave the Challenge cup alone , the ' Magic ' weekend is a SL idea , it should remain a SL only idea

If it fails , it fails , it is not the end of the world

Bottom line is that RL fans will only spend so much following their clubs , we are not rich southerners who will pay out to ' be seen ' at an event , any idea like this will always have a limited life span , quite possibly this one has reached the end of it's one

As for a 7/9's comp in the middle of the season , thats a non starter , no way would SL coaches risk injury to players

biggest things for me would be to make it Derby games again, 4 derby's was too many, but we could have 3 IMO. I'm simply not interested in watching Hull-Quins not for a 2nd time in a few weeks anyway.

I'd also move it to June or early July. Better weather would be another incentive to go.

I also agree that with 2 teams in Wales now, Cardiff is a more logical choice...but I doubt the council would put the money in again having been dumped by the RFL before.

I've been pushing for it to be the fifth round of the cup for a while.

It just makes sense.

It makes it extra competitive (winners & losers not just 2 points), gives players from last years top 8 an extra game rest, no lopsided comp and includes lower league fans whilst also giving clubs outside SL a realistic ambition to make a big occasion.

Even if the Beeb only showed 2 games with highlights of the others could be a great spectacle.

Fairly simple to pick the top 8 plus 8 places as soon as SL finishes and pick the days which is when MM is usually drawn.

DAY 1
4 Hull K R V 9
12 V 3 Huddersfield
7 Castleford V 1 Leeds
10 V 16

DAY 2
8 Warrington V 15
13 V 5 Wakefield
11 V 2 St Helens
14 V 6 Wigan

Based on the current draw and seeding last years top 7 plus wire the MM fixtures could currently look like this based on a random draw after a 3rd Round.

4 Hull K R V 9 Halifax v Batley Bulldogs
12 Harlequins RL v Toulouse V 3 Huddersfield
7 Castleford V 1 Leeds
10 Barrow Raiders v Hunslet Hawks V 16 Widnes Vikings V Lezignan

8 Warrington V 15 Hull v Blackpool Panthers
13 Crusaders RL v Catalans Dragons V 5 Wakefield
11 Bradford Bulls v Leigh Centurions V 2 St Helens
14 Salford V Featherstone V 6 Wigan

Play the fourth round a month before MM at the latest & the order of the games on the day could be decided then.

It would be more like the premiership finals days which were great rather than the trudge for an extra fixture its become.

However it looks like dying a death this year.

I think the best idea I've heard so far, in my opinion of course is the ideato have it as a season opener over two days.

I think fans that have been starved of rugby league for the best part of four months would be interested. Start it with derby games as well and the buzz and banter would go on between fans right up to the first game. I think even your most casual of fan would pay money to see their clubs first game against their local neighbours with their new squad and possibly coach in place. Add to the fact both teams are fresh or as fresh as can be expected and you could have some absolute crackers on the opening weekend. It would also give Super League a showpeice event that they could market and signal to all that the new season is beginning.

I'm trying to think of a workable stadium within or relatively near the heartlands that could work. Either a city centre kind of stadium capable of housing all the fans or one with not a lot around it where they can put beer tents and acitivities like Murrayfield but better, but obviously closer to the heartlands. I was thinking Manchester but maybe Elland Road could be what we're looking for. The big dilemma is the 7 games or so over 2 days which I doubt Man United or City would want in a million years. Cardiff is the viable option, also in February it gives the season a grand start in dry conditions and won't be bogged down like the start to this year as the roof can be closed. I think a grand season opener at the Millenium Stadium with the derby games could just make this thing work.

Why, it would be perfect for the Cup. Fans would be able to watch potential next-round opponents and there would be extra excitement and value to the fixtures with the knock-out element, without needing to resort to, and as a result devalue the derby fixtures. The draw for the next round could take place live on the pitch after the last game. It doesn't even have to be the 5th round, I would be happy to see all four quarter finals played back-to-back in a one-day event. That could be massive IMO.

Okay Cardiff could be played under the roof, but why would anyone want to pay for a weekend of sitting outside for eight hours in the middle of winter? Begs belief.

TBH, it should be scrapped.