If this is true then there will be another SL club worried right now. I'm still convinced Widnes will get the nod. So that's possibly Toulouse (given today's goalpost shift) and Widnes in. Who's out?

At the moment it's Salford but who's going to join them? Strangely enough and contrary to the expansionists wishes i think it could possibly be Harlequins. The RFL would be hard pushed to oust Wakefield, especially with their on-field performances of late. Any others? Castleford? Crusaders? Unlikely.

Therefore, if i had to put my semi-detatched on it the following would be the running order:

Salford
Harlequins
>>
>>
>>
Crusaders
Wakefield
Castleford

Next year is going to be a real ding dang do !!

My copy arrives Tuesday. Just seems strange no other outlet has commented on it.

Harlequins are certainly in the mix, but I wouldn't be so sure that either Wakey or Cas are that much safer. Think that will rather strongly depend on how their respective stadium projects progress.


Indeed. Every chance that there'll be more people hacked off than happy.

why does it seem strange?
who,outside the championships actually gives a flying f__k about whats going on in RL.

This is the problem now. What the hell IS the priority of the RFL? How will they percieve the non-action on promised stadiums? Will they use the opportunity to "punish" those who haven't fulfilled the stadium criteria? If so, how do you separate the likes of Saints vs Cas/Wakey/Salford? The RFL ceratinly know how to make a rod for their own back. Do they care? Probably not if they've got their long-term specs on. In ten years time no-one will give a hoot.

The priority of the RFL is pretty evidently to make the sport (at least appear to be) modern and professional. Good stadia are an important aspect of that agenda and so I expect it to weigh heavily in the assessment of future applications - particularly where promises have been made that may not have come to pass for a variety of reasons.

You differentiate between Saints and the rest through use of other aspects of the criteria - most likely the 'contribution to competition' aspect. Or just make the decision you want and justify it later.


That seems to be their stance. "One day you'll thank us for this, guys".

Add a club like Widnes and you get no less than 6 extra derby games. Go figure...

I'm just writing out my nomination for Messrs Lewis & Wood for the 2020 New Years Honours list. God bless 'em.

No way will the Harlequins be dropped. No chance at all.
[urlhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/london/8509461.stm[/url

Key words:
=#0040BFthe [size=150success[/size of Harlequins is paramount to the future of Super League.

This statement could just as well have been a warning shot across their bow. Shape up, or ship out?

Possibly common law but the RFL and the clubs are at a close proximity so that it wouldn't be unreasonable to suggest that, an act or omission on the part of the RFL has caused any of the clubs loss. Whether that be costs associated with the preparation of the SL Applications or whatever.

The grounds for the criteria for SL admission are based on the clubs agreeing to the decisions that have been made. The fact they've signed something amounting to an agreement to abide by the any decisions proves there is some sort of contract in place in any sense, depends what the terms of it are. However, at common law and not contract law it could be implied that the process that has determined those decisions is carried out in a reasonable, just and fair manner. If the clubs can prove that such a process was not carried out in a fair manner then it is likely there could be a case for court. That on the face of it without knowing all the paperwork in place is one possible route for clubs to go down should they consider that route.

Found this: www./news_3335-tou ... eague.html But it looks to be lifted direct from here and has no quotes at all from the RFL confirming this "change".

Found this: www./news_3335-tou ... eague.html But it looks to be lifted direct from here and has no quotes at all from the RFL confirming this "change".

The RFL will persist with them, whether or not it is a warning shot across their bow.

To be honest, i've given up predicting what they will do next.

One heartland club will go, unless it all goes tits up at the Crusaders. Toulouse will get the nod.

They’re in, no doubt about that in my mind. Like you’ve already said, it’s possible that two current clubs will be dropped and, as last time, one expansion club and one traditional club will be promoted – though I think this is a long shot.

Yeah from reading in depth about the process, it seems incredibly like that Toulouse and Widnes will arive in Super League. The teams dropping out should be Salford and Hardlyquins. The later could always be saved through Crusaders or another team going bump in the night because of financial problems.

But all this idiot talk of petitions and boycotts and mass protests is ridiculous. Get a grip. The RFL are doing what they think is the best thing for the sport. Debate about the way to go about that and decisions that come from it are fine, but why protest? The bitterness the last time was unbelivable and this time it looks like it will be worse.

It's time for a lot of fans (Well not a lot given the clubs involved) and directors to face the facts. There is only so much money in SL at the moment (Probably less come the next Sky deal) and therefore only so many teams can enter. Widnes are probably the only team outside of SL with a genuine claim to a franchise. Toulouse seem likely to be let in as well. It's not like those being removed (Salford, Quins etc) can complain given their lack of performance as a club (Finances, crowds, on field success etc) and it's not like those being denied (Leigh, Halifax who else has a serious application to put in?) can complain either.

Agree with most of that but the RFL HAVE TO SORT OUT the cack-handed way they deal with clubs and the so called rules and guidelines issued to them. It's unprofessional to say the least. On the one hand they're handing out franchises with the aim of improvement. Well, they could do with a long hard look at their own standards in this regard.

Spot on.

Likelihood of it happening = 0. *sigh*

Have any of the clubs that could be affected (Widnes, Salford) etc commented?

Allan Rowley at Leigh is sharpening his pencil

Well he has proved that he is the only one amongst the Championship clubs that won't roll over and die.

Des Johnson at Barrow sometimes let's loose. However, it's all pointless anyway. The RFL still have Rowley et al at the cliff edge so they all have to push back and take it

You have [icompletely[/i missed the point of all this.

Fans of Leigh, Fax etc know they have little chance of suceeding next time around but fans are annoyed at being blatantly lied to. No matter what they say to spin their way out of this, 99% of fans thought that Toulouse had to meet the same criteria on the field as everybody else.

Fans are annoyed because it seems as if it matters not what they try and do because they have no chance of ever making it. The RFL will guarantee that they are overlooked.

You also stated previously that teams like Leigh and Widnes had a crack and failed which is ludicrous. Relegation happens, they only fail if they can't get back up. Widnes at the time had the 7th highest average attendances in the league. Huddersfield spent 3 seasons rooted to the bottom without going down, teams like Wakefield were 1 game away from relegation a couple of times. Who knows if they had have come back up had they been sent down one of those times.

Of course you will mention finances but Widnes never struggled as a Super League side. We gambled on getting back to the Super League but can you blame us, being in Super League was always going to be worth far more than anything else. Plus if P & R came back I wonder how many other clubs would last a couple of years outside of Super League, imagine if Hull KR were relegated and didn't get back up at the first attempt, how would they ever pay that debt off?

The RFL still hold the keys though. If you p*ss them off you may have the moral high ground but eventually you will have that in a division that nobody cares about in front of a few hundred people whilst other clubs like my own may be in Super League.

The clubs have to play the RFL's petty games, it's the fans that don't.

The RFL are only making it a level playing field. Toulouse don't play in the NRC. So straight away they are at a massive disadvantage. It's only fair they have a level playing field.