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Rugby League's Real Super 8

Rugby League is preparing to embark on its new octo-adventure. Super League and the Championship will soon split into three leagues of eight as promotion and relegation returns to the sport's menu.

It's an innovative and novel development for a sport which has struggled to bridge the gap between full-time and part-time clubs. When the RFL announced the plan it's fair to say reactions within the sport were mixed, but Leigh's impressive growth and cup run have boosted hopes that we may actually see a side promoted. That gap between the elite and the rest could be closing further with the welcome news this week that Sheffield Eagles plan to go full-time in 2016.

The middle eight or the Qualifiers to give it it's proper name is the focus of the sport at the moment. But there is another group of eight teams which takes the RFL's 'Every Minute Matters' mantra to a whole new level. League One reads like a graveyard of fallen giants and expansion clubs but what has emerged this season is an extraordinary race for promotion.

In League One there is no split or blending of the division. The top five teams contest the play-offs with two sides being promoted to the Championship. But with five teams relegated from that level last season and only one team promoted, it was always going to be a tough division to get out of. And so it has proven to be the case as eight teams chase those five play-off spots.

We have the remarkable situation where clubs that are capable of finishing top of the table are in danger of missing out on the play-offs altogether. At the time of writing just six points separates first and eighth place. Here, every second matters. It's almost inevitable that sides will have to be split by points difference.

The league while not being artificially split by the rule-makers is a league of two halves. The expansion clubs haven't been able to compete against the northern clubs but shouldn't be banished to a regional league just yet. What this has meant is that the games between the promotion chasers are real-four pointers and extremely difficult to call.

Keighley set the pace before being pegged back by nemesis Swinton. The Cougars are in second place but with serious injury problems aren't certainties to make the top five. York, without a ground and in a mess off the field actually look the safest bet for a play-off spot despite being in fourth place. A fixture list in which not everyone has the same obstacles in front of them had to favour someone and this season it's York who benefited. That they only have to play ten games against the top eight sides while Swinton, Newcastle and North Wales play 14 times against that same opposition is something that needs to be looked at. Oldham are top but have probably the most difficult run-in along with form side North Wales. Swinton, Barrow, Rochdale and Newcastle are all capable of beating anyone else in this league but have suffered from inconsistency throughout the season.

The clubs in varying states of decay, revival and development are putting on a great show for supporters. With young players making a name for themselves (remember the name Rob Lever) and experienced pros trying to outwit their opponents it's an exciting league to watch. The speed and fitness might not be at Super League levels but that's not why we watch sport. We want to be entertained and in that regard League One's Super Eight is as good as anything those above it can offer.