Historically, when teams are fighting to get into the Betfred Super League play-offs, they get there and then the wheels fall off.
But I don’t see that happening this year. We have three teams trying to get into the two remaining top-six spots with two games remaining and that’s great. And I think whoever gets in out of Salford, Leeds and Castleford really have the ability to shake up the play-offs and have a tilt at getting to Old Trafford.
Salford have experience of doing that recently, obviously Leeds have a big history of doing so and Castleford did get there in 2017. It’ll make for an exciting play-offs having two teams coming in, in form, not frightened of playing the teams above them and having a bullet-proof confidence. I think it’ll go to the last day and that Leeds v Castleford game.
I reckon Salford will win at Cas on Monday - they are in a little bit better form - and so it’ll come down to what happens at Headingley next Saturday. Leeds, with six wins on the bounce and at home, should win but it’s a derby. It’s huge and a great final fixture to have before the play-offs. It’s great to have all of this happening and with the World Cup coming up, too: the 50 day mark is now passed and the countdown is on.
It's an exciting time. Although at the other end, we have seen Toulouse relegated. It’s sad to see them go down. It’d be great to have a second French team in Super League. I know a lot of people are not keen on it but I think it just adds to our competition.
They tried their best to stay up but obviously it’s really difficult: they had to recruit late and you do get promoted with one hand tied behind your back. Given time, Toulouse could have added to the competition like Catalans have. But it’s great to hear they will remain full-time and have another crack at trying to get back up again which is good for Super League overall.
Supporting teams who do come up and go down is something IMG needs to look at for the future. One thing that is for sure is promotion and relegation is part of the British fabric of sport. But we need a way of working out a way whereby the promoted side has a stronger chance of staying up. Whether that means the Championship season finishes earlier, to give them a chance to recruit easier, it needs to be explored.
BETFRED - PASSIONATE ABOUT SUPER LEAGUE
