The problem is much deeper rooted than that. The greatest problem with the game at the moment is the commercial and business side of things will always take priority. My Dad has been angry at the fact we play St. Helens three times in the League this season whilst Warrington will face a much easier (on paper) prospect in Widnes. From a purely sporting perspective he feels the game is unfair and a greater balance should be restored and we should remove the Magic Weekend from our season.

From the other side though we have seven league games all on SKY and a showcase event in Manchester which will bring new people to the game, even if just for that one spectacle. Its bound to be profitable and makes sense.

I personally think Super League could exist with just eight teams, all spending the salary cap to its maximum (and perhaps raising it) and including the biggest and best supported clubs. This would improve the competitiveness of the league but would ultimately cost the game and clubs money from less games. To make a two tier competition would probably lower our SKY money and kill off sides like London if they were to be relegated.

For me the best thing the game can do is look at the viewing figures from SKY over the course of a season and see if there are any trends in areas that currently don't have a SL side within ten miles of another. This is where they should be looking to infiltrate the schools and encourage the building of five or six amateur clubs throughout those boroughs. After ten or so years more encouragement (if the game is thriving and players are developing at amateur level and making the step up to Pro) can be offered for a Semi-Pro side to enter the league and then ultimately a bigger side to make it to SL.

Within twenty years we might start seeing well developed expansion clubs with a strong local attraction knocking on the door of SL and that makes it more invest-able and marketable. Just my opinion anyway.

But if this happened, Warrington would have to play someone half-decent on Magic Weekend!

They are paying the full cap at the moment. fundamental to my idea was the fact that the cap should rise (as soon as possible). if London can afford to pay that amount (and be one of the top 10 clubs, as i stated a 10 team league was ideal, which for me they are not. the top 10 are Wigan, Saints, Leeds, Warrington, Hull FC, Catalans, Bradford (if they sort out their financial difficulties), Huddersfield, HKR and A.N Other.) then I would have no problem with London staying. we should obviously have more than just the ability to spend the cap as the criteria for SL, but it should be a major part. other wise we are will all lower ourselves to the lowest common denominator, rather than the clubs pushing each other to further the sport.

also a 10 team league would allow a better exiles england series, open up the possibilty of more games v teams from down under

just home and away games with a 5 team play off series

so are widnes

Widnes were never going to be a force in their 1st season because the players they had available to them were limited as most top players were already under contract. The 2nd year they should gradually improve as more players are available and their 3rd year should be where they are aiming to be competitive with at least the teams 6th to 10th at worst...

They were the last pig to the trough for 2012 so were always going to be the runt of the litter.