The difference this year is going to be the route to Super League.
In previous years, when it was close at the tail end of the season, teams started bringing in bigger names for short term stints just to get them to the GF.
This year with the exception of us and Toulouse, it isn't going to happen whether they win it or not, so when injuries kick in, teams will simply do their best with what they have, which will make it easier for teams like us with a bigger squad or teams that are lucky with injuries.
Time will tell how it works out.