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“Doesn’t work” – Ex-Super League referee Richard Silverwood on the end of relegation and licencing’s return

The big talking point yesterday was of course IMG presenting their recommendations to Super League, Championship and League 1 clubs.

They recommended changes to the calendar, a greater focus on women’s and international rugby, rebranding and suggested capping participation from teams outside the UK.

The biggest talking point was the end of traditional relegation and promotion replaced by the return of licencing.

Licencing originally came into force in 2009 and latest until 2014 when relegation returned to enable the Super 8s.

One of the men who played a key role on the field the last time licencing was in force, has now shared his opinion.

During this period in Super League, Richard Silverwood was one of the leading officials in Super League and took charge of three Grand Finals in this period in 2010, 2012 and 2013.

He has now offered his opinion on the end of promotion and relegation: “Promotion and relegation doesn’t work for me so pleased licensing is back on the agenda. Give clubs time to build. Yo-Yo clubs season after season is no good. 1 Cumbrian SL team I hope too.”

He would then elaborate on how he would like to see licencing work suggesting a three year licence just like from 2009-14.

He also suggested a number of places where he’d like to see new clubs develop as part of licencing including in Wales and Scotland in what would be a bold change for the competition.

He said: “14 clubs SL – to start 2024 in my opinion. 3 year licence. New clubs Bristol, Cardiff, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Coventry to be looking at 2027 etc Wigan, Saints, Hull FC, Leeds, Catalans, Huddersfield, Salford, Cumbria, Castleford, Hull KR, Warrington, Leigh, Toulouse, Wakefield.”

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