Pick 8 from the list, let's see what everyone thinks. No club loyalties!
I've had to take 6 teams out to allow the poll to be created, so i've taken the obvious Saints, Wigan, Leeds, Bradford, Hull and Warrington off the poll as they are pretty obviously going to get a franchise.

Harder than I thought it was going to be that!

Own up, who voted for Batley

It picks itself really. All 13 stay in, Widnes join them. One team from Wakey, Cas and Salford will go. I suspect Salford.

Not me, but I like Mount Pleasant!

they need to drop (at least) 1 west yorkshire team, IMO. I like the principle of Barrow, Toulouse and Widnes coming in but only Widnes could generate decent crowds realistically

In my opinion, Barrow will be a big threat in 2016. Rich backer, better stadium/facilities and a huge potential for supporters.

Struggled to pick eight teams I thought would add something to Super League.
In the end I went for;

Castleford
Catalans
Crusaders
Hull K.R.
Toulouse
Widnes

That'll happen

Huddersfield, Cataland and Crusaders are nailed on. Hull KR should also survive, and Widnes will be the new addition with Leigh, Halifax, Barrow and Toulouse all future possibilities.

I'd say it's between Salford, Castleford, Wakefield and Quins who should make way for Widnes. If the criteria is to stay the same then it's likely to Salford

Good point!

Have Cas or Wakey sorted a ground out yet? Salfords started this week, which puts them in the driving seat if you ask me. Widnes, Leigh and Fax have all got Super League standard stadiums too.

It did with me. I also opted to send Salford down and Widnes in.

Salford started work (with real JCBs and spades) this week. How is Wakefield's new stadium going?

EDIT- My Salford based friend informs me there is indeed work on the site... clearing the area and that it 'could be for something other than the new stadium'.

I didn't put Leigh in. We're behind a few teams in my opinion.

Last I heard, the stadium got rejected by the council.

No it didn't. More designs were published and a plan to clear some space on waste ground - to start in August. I reckon some photographs of diggers clearing the site will be published in January ready for the franchise application.

Shrewd.

This is what I read about Wakeys ground www.guardian.co.uk/leeds/2010/ma ... evelopment

This is what I read about Wakeys ground www.guardian.co.uk/leeds/2010/ma ... evelopment

Since when have franchise applications been judged merely on stadiums?

www.independent.co.uk/sport/gene ... 76270.html This is the current Salford situation, looks like the actual stadium starts in October, but groundwork always takes ages, it did at Leigh. Also, stadiums arn't the only criteria, obviously. But with about 6 or 7 teams all of a similar size, you have to start looking at what they bring to SL. At the moment, what do Wakey bring?

www.independent.co.uk/sport/gene ... 76270.html This is the current Salford situation, looks like the actual stadium starts in October, but groundwork always takes ages, it did at Leigh. Also, stadiums arn't the only criteria, obviously. But with about 6 or 7 teams all of a similar size, you have to start looking at what they bring to SL. At the moment, what do Wakey bring?

A stadium is just of the things you fall short on

A competitive side (averaging a top 8 finish) provided they don't finish lower than 11th, an ever improving academy system (League winners & Playoffs winners 2009), and a consistently higher average attendance then Salford. I'm looking at the last criteria, add up the points if you will and see who comes out on top!

Salford are in front in terms of the stadium development but that isn't to say they'll score points for it until it's finished. Plus Wakefield should be hearing back shortly regarding their Outline planning permission.

I've never said Wakefield, Castleford or Salford don't fail on stadiums (currently) merely that franchises are judged on more than just stadiums.

Looks like you're right. I did this as a poll to get an idea of what people think, and i'm chuft that people want Crusaders, Catalans and Harlequins in. And the team that people don't want in I think is Salford after 400 votes.