Not read back but my initial thoughts are that I think a 14 team comp is the right way to go. 


Realistically Bulls will struggle beyond the short term without considerable investment unless thousands of fans come out the woodworks probably not seen in a decade. The stadium was in a state last season. A new pitch is needed and the terracing was covered in orange dust etc. A new pitch and cosmetic upgrades may see it look a bit more appealing but long term without significant investment I have reservations about Bradford. 


York would be my number 1 pick to be the most successful. 


They are probably in a similar boat with bulls to fans that they need to effectively double their fan base to be sustainable long term. They are very good at marketing and socials and perhaps this will aid them in that front. What they have over Bradford is a newish 8.5k stadium that looks better and is probably more cost effective and functional. It won’t be a weight on their backs. 


Toulouse I think have gone from 2000-2500 fans to doing double headers with other teams to keep them in the 3000+ bracket for the points. I would say a lot of that income from extra fans won’t see their coffers and it likely won’t be a true or sustainable reflection of their fan base. Again, a club that needs sustainable investment and to double their fan base. 


Some of the away supporters should go some way to increasing the attendances for these clubs so that will be a small part of the battle, perhaps if they market it right they could bridge the gap somewhat for these clubs rest. 


I do think it is the way forwards and a if the drive and investment is there in 2/3 years we could see the comp really flourish with a view to look at 16 teams in 4/5 years time. 


I would hope that a reserves comp and academy are mandatory though and I think an extra few teams after a few years will see the player pool increase too.

If it has to be Bradford, then it also has to be York.

Agreed.  They're a good side and have a nice stadium.  

It’ll be Toulouse via IMG (check their data from last year and this year), then Bradford and London via the ‘independent panel’. I can explain why but I don’t think anyone cares.

Having a nice stadium or a good team isn't the point of IMG.
It is trying to establish financially stable with growth potential.


The stadium, finances and social media type checks establish that.


So I'm not sure what else an independent group is going to use to decide.

Looks like the lower leagues are being merged too. Big fan of that, and hope they go with a Championship East / Championship West format. There'd be a few mismatches (particularly in the short term for Newcastle and Keighley), but better crowds, less money spent on travel, more consistent end to each season, and a proper season for League One clubs. I assume it'd look something like this:


Championship East


Batley
Bradford or York
Dewsbury
Doncaster
Featherstone
Goole
Halifax
Hunslet
Keighley
Newcastle
Sheffield


Championship West


Barrow
Midlands Hurricanes
North Wales
Oldham
Rochdale
Salford
Swinton
Whitehaven
Widnes
Workington


Each team plays home and away. Then top 6 of each division come together for a play off series.