Looks like you’ve got your preference.

Makes most sense to me.

There are major challenges to running a worthwhile reserve competition that I don't think are widely acknowledged because it is seen as 'the right thing to do' by many, IMO.

Even from first principles, if it were the best thing to do, from a club perspective, then nobody would have to demand the RFL enforce it. Even if they could force the clubs to do something that most don't see sufficient value in (which IMO they can't), what'd be the point? If somebody doesn't want to do something they won't do it well.

For me the UK player development pathway should be something like:

Community club > Regional RFL Academy > Championship 1 > Championship > Super League

football,union,cricket all have reserve teams,as do the nrl.only our amateurish bunch don't.short sighted policy,no wonder the amount of younger players coming through is at an all time low and it will get worse.