L1 was always on borrowed time once the central funding was cut, just a case of who folded first and how many. The RFL/IMG must (surely) have discussed life outside of SL over the last 2 years, after all the strap line is “re-imagining the game” not “re-imagining Super League”. The question now is whether the desired number have fallen by the wayside to implement the master plan. If not then clubs could be left to rot for another season rather than act now. The problem is there may be more casualties than would thought, and more players drift away from the game. Champ clubs have a simple decision, are you prepared to put a nail in the coffin of the likes of Rochdale, Hunslet, Keighley, Workington by delaying a merger or will the rugby league family rally round.