Just like to welcome all you Wire fans to the Lions, now that you are our chosen dual registered team for next season.
Hope we don't get drawn together in the cup again since I don't think you guys would want Adrian Morley playing against you.!!

Lets hope this works well for both clubs.

I think you'll benefit very well as Leigh haven't done too bad out of us in the past.

put the hyperbaric chamber on the floor, and walk away!!!!!

WALK AWAY!!!!

Does this mean the Leigh partnership is over or do I have no idea how the dual reg thing works? Has seemed to work really well for both parties anyway.

It's not announced yet, but I think Wigan will be partnering with Leigh.

I am guessing, but I suspect we may not be able to send our lads to Leigh next year as Wigan will take all the slots / have first preference.

How is all this stuff decided Charlie? Sorry if I sound thick, but, what is wrong with the current arrangements, everyone seemed to be getting on famously?

How Decided ?
I think 'behind closed doors'. There is no formal announcement from the RFL on either the rational ( which i think is mainly money) or how it will operate in practice. Neither has there been an announcement from the Championship clubs, who risk being made into 'feeder clubs'. I would have thought some of the Championship clubs with real SL pretensions might have been against the proposals, particularly with 6 of their team made up from the SL partner. That surely must hinder the development of their own players if they are one of the stronger sides ?
I suspect that there is not a unanimous approval of the proposals.

Why Change ?
As I said, I think money is driving all of this. Some Championship clubs are struggling to find £ for their playing pool, and struggle to raise a viable team when they have a bad run of injuries. To have these players will be a god-send. Similarly, SL clubs like Hull KR are losing money, and can not afford a youth system. I believe Hull KR wish to share a youth system with Hull. However, note that the number of players that you can have registered on your books (max 64 ?) depends on whether you run youth sides, so there is a big incentive for clubs to do so, rather than simply opting out.

Wire position
I understand that both Wire and Saints were against these proposals. You can understand why. Saints have always had a great tradition in youth development, whilst Wire have ploughed a lot of money into the area over the past few years. They can both afford the structure and have high quality coaches and facilities, so why would they wish to change ?

Leigh
Again another guess, but I suspect Wigan may have got in bed with Leigh whilst Wire were prevaricating. However, the arrangement has not been announced yet as far as I know. However Swinton play at LSV so are equally close for players to reach.

Other Issues
Who is going to coach the players ? Will Championship / SL club coaches lose their jobs ?
Strong clubs like Wire, Wigan, Leeds are bound to need more than 6 DR slots at a club, so how is this going to be accommodated ?
What will happen to current 15 & 16 yr teams as they are to be merged into a single 16 team ?
The Championship clubs could gain a great deal from SL clubs know how re marketing, training, sport injuries and possibly even training facilities.

Lots of issues I think.

Surely if a club has a similar arrangement then they should just continue it only on a more formal basis. sure the leythers wont be happy bout being partnered to the pies

Maybe the bigger clubs should be partnered with the likes of swinton et el to make that league a little more competitive this would benefit the likes of cas who could have one of the better teams as a partner i just dont know what to think as its all a bit unclear atm

I should imagine for our academy players to turn out for Swinton would give them a better perspective of RL than just playing under 20's every week because they'll be coming up against some old stagers who have been there & got the T shirt. Will Swinton be paying some of their wages i wonder ?

Thats the frustrating thing Dezzie, this is happening piecemeal (Leeds / Hunslet) with no recognised template or outline - which is why I suspect the RFL have failed to get a full agreement on how exactly it will work, and are simply leaving it to the clubs to thrash out individual agreements.

It is certainly true that our U20's will be challenged (some may be ready for this, others not though), and so we can certainly benefit. I think your point about pay is a good one. I suspect that this could be an issue for the two clubs in question to decide, but I would guess if the Championship club do make a contribution, it will be small.

Hey as a Swinton supporter I have concerns that we do not become Warringtons feeder club I do hope that there is a restriction on how many dual reg players you can field at any one time. From Warringtons point of view it will benefit your younger players and indeed injured players coming back, by playing in what is a very competitive division. I am not to sure if we pay the players wages would suspect that,that will be the case.