The final possitions may be different, but I'd imagine that when the leagues spilt down the same teams will be gearing up for the same competition as they did at the same time last year.
The current format is more about preserving the status quo than improving the sport. No disrespect to these teams but Wakefield, Widnes and Hull KR are not the big name club players will be queuing up to join. Add to that the percentage, no matter how small, that they could get relegated to the championship and you've another black mark against you for signing players as you can't know for sure you'll stay up so you can't really do any recruitment until the very back end of the year meaning most of the better players will have already signed contracts with teams who they know will be guaranteed a SL place next season. I've not included Salford in that list because even though they will face the same issues as the other bottom 4 clubs, they do have their mad doctor owner and his large bank account and alledged questionable payment methods.
So, you've the bottom 4 clubs with weaker squads, the top 8 with stronger ones so pretty much as you were.
