Barley Mow

I still wouldn't rule out Salford having more points than Toulouse unless some sort of extra sanctions are imposed on them.

I agree - I'm not a fan of the 'ranking gets you a place in Super League' aspect of the IMG set up (but I do think it's good to have them on board for their expertise in social media engagement, promoting the game, etc), but we've gone with this system and we really should give it a chance before abandoning yet another structure. My guess for the top 14 grades by the end of the season is: Leeds Wigan Saints Catalans Hull KR Warrington Hull FC Leigh Wakefield Castleford Huddersfield Toulouse Salford Bradford or York

My preference in general would be to promote based on on-field performance (subject to minimum standards). But the clubs started this season under the understanding that any movement between SL and Championship would be based on IMG rankings - so if it was 14 in SL next year I think it would only be fair to base it on those grades. I simply can't see any justification for adding three teams that we (or those running the RFL) just have a personal preference for - there has to be some sort of objective assessment and ranking of the clubs (whether on-field based or IMG style).

Surely if there is a move to a 14 team SL the teams moving up should/will be based on either the IMG grades or Championship league position/grand final win? Do we really expect (or advocate) it being "I like clubs X, Y & Z; we'll put them in"?

Goole Vikings v Whitehaven by 10 North Wales Crusaders v Dewsbury Rams by 4 Swinton Lions v Newcastle Thunder by 22 Workington Town v Midlands Hurricanes by 1

Hunslet v Featherstone Rovers by 14 Halifax Panthers v Toulouse Olympique by 2 London Broncos v Doncaster by 4 Barrow Raiders v Batley Bulldogs by 8 Oldham v Sheffield Eagles by 12 York Knights v Bradford Bulls by 2

1. Will Adam Keighran kick more goals on Friday than Jake Connor? No 2. Will Hull FC beat Wakefield on Thursday? No 3. Will Hull KR score more points than Warrington on Saturday? No 4. Will any individual player score three or more tries in the Championship this weekend? No 5. Will there be more than 1 away win in League 1 this week? No Tie-breaker - What will the attendance be at Headingley on Friday? 16,600

They do seem to have spent money on off-field things that increased their IMG points and as far as I'm aware at least some of that money may have been used as part of the player budget had they not done so. My point was simply that in deciding to take that approach you would expect them to moderate their expectations for the team on-field and consequently for the coach who is leading it.

1. Will Adam Keighran kick more goals on Friday than Jake Connor? 2. Will Hull FC beat Wakefield on Thursday? 3. Will Hull KR score more points than Warrington on Saturday? 4. Will any individual player score three or more tries in the Championship this weekend? 5. Will there be more than 1 away win in League 1 this week? Tie-breaker - What will the attendance be at Headingley on Friday?

If this is what they've done, then you would hope they would recognise it in assessing the coach's performance and deciding whether to sack him or not. It's acceptable to choose to prioritise one thing over another, but that's bound to have an impact on whatever you don't prioritise and you'd hope a club would be aware of that in advance.

This week's results - 1. @Barley Mow 3 from 5 - 2 out on the tie-break 2. @sam4731 3 from 5 - 6 out on the tie-break 3. @N2022 2 from 5 - 20 out on the tie-break 4. @daz39 2 from 5 - 21 out on the tie-break 5. @hunsletgreenandgold 1 from 5 - 34 out on the tie-break I'll set this week's questions asap.

They worked a gap into this season for it (or some other representative game) before deciding it wouldn't go ahead. consequently SL round 20 at the end of this month has been split over two weeks to fill the gap in the schedule - 3 games in each week.

I think it's because of work to the pitch at Boundary Park - like we see with a few other clubs this time of year.

Agreed - all too close for me to call.

Indicate above or not: 1. The number of tries Salford will score against Warrington NOT 2. The number of goals Chris Atkin will score against Huddersfield (conversions, penalties and drop goals) ABOVE 3. Leigh's SL points difference for the season following their match against Wigan NOT 4. The number of teams based outside Yorkshire winning their game in the Championship this week ABOVE 5. Number of home wins in League 1 this week ABOVE Tie-breaker - How many tries will be scored in total across Super League, Championship and League 1 this week? 96