Forgotten about Celtic Crusaders, have we?

It is, isn't it.


So why do people still bite?

The RFL want Toulouse in. But are they going to reach a GF?

Other than that, IMO Widnes have to be next in line.

AS said the question is do you keep expanding SL. This is the first year in a while that anything like a balanced fixture list is out, (MM weekend aside).

More games are unrealistic, so would they drop teams

If the RFL want to expand Superleague they should look no further than Cumbria, 2 good teams with good setups and (barrow at least) good financial backing. Traditional and expansionist.

There is genuine interest up there Dally,unlike Bridgend and London.Barrow,in my opinion,would have no problem pulling in 5000+ home fans every game.Add the away support then I believe they would average 6500-7000.

Yes, but where do you base the club?

Would Barrow fans be willing to travel to Workington or Whitehaven?

Would fans of those two clubs be willing to follow a Barrow based team?

Whichever teams "tick the boxes".

The RFL supposedly have laid down a set of parameters to qualify for a franchise although I suspect that, nearer the time, they will once again bring out their sliding goalposts although the rails must be getting worn out by now.

Look, I was dead against the franchise system and still am but it's here so I'll just have to learn to live with it. All I ask is that the rules for entry are set in stone and adhered to so that clubs know what they have to do and can plan accordingly.

As far as geographical location goes, I would rather see 2 clubs within a few miles of each other pulling combined average crowds of 15 to 20 thousand than bung a club in a big city somewhere where no-one is interested and they only manage 3,000 and I'm not having a go at London here but am referring to future expansion.

which 2 clubs could come in and do that?

Salford out. One of Cas, Wakey or Bratfud to be removed as well.

Leigh, Widnes, Toulouse and Barrow in.

Bradford, Wigan and Warrington out.

Bangalore and Uzbekistan and Keighley in.

Keighley!

Good call, but why Keighley

You missed my point. What I'm saying is that interest in the game and the potential to draw support is far more important than location.

While on that subject though, Cas and Wakey fit the profile but some on here would like to see them thrown out of SL, despite them being in the top half of the table, to make way for an expansion team.

Also, has anyone noticed that Barrow are suddenly being mentioned because they have started the season well and Bradford are being reviled because they are currently doing badly. I've followed RL all my life and I've seen clubs at the top of the league for a few years and then at rock bottom a few years later. RL, like life, goes in cycles.

Thats the problem.
At the moment i would go with barrow for the Finances alone. They wont admit it now but lots of worrkington/whitehaven fans would go to barrow (i know its not a 5 min walk either

) to watch the likes of Saints/leeds/wigan etc.

Team to be removed...The 1 with least amont of league points scored over the 3 years...team to come up...The 1 with the most league points scored over 3 years.
Isnt rugby league a competitive sport no more?

If toulouse come in bottom half of Co-op league over 3 years, would you still want them in super league?

Rugby league is becoming a joke...bring back relagation and promotion

Why not Wigan easy 2 points you boys and both Cas and Wake bring away fans than you.

think it's due their crap grounds and the fact that some folk think wakey bluffed their way to a licence with promises of the 'new ground'.
when you say expansion team, are you including catalans... who finished 3rd last year?

And what abot Catalan Dragons...who, simply just walk into super league and cant be relagated JOKE

Lets walk in toulouse now plz

Prepare to have your head bitten off! I agree with you on many levels, but I think some teams like the Crusaders need time to strengthen just Les Cats did, I wouldn't mind seeing the exclusion from relegation thing come into play, which would once again make the bottom of the league much more exciting.

Surely if you are going to throw a team out, it means you are replacing that team with a stronger one? Do you seriously suggest Tolouse or Widnes will fair better than Cas or Wakie in 2 1/2 years time?

All the "Calder" teams together would be more likely though. Fev will NEVER get in super league.

Teams like Barrow, Fax and Leigh are knocking on the door from the championship.

Wouldn't mind seeing teams from Scotland and Ireland join the league, whilst they expand the championships with more teams from down south.

so toulouse wouldn't have made it to a grand final thus making them ineligible to apply for a licence

The RFL will have no problem in bending the rules to get Tolouse in.

strange how people are complaining about lack of promotion/relegation from super league to the championship and the fact that 1 club (toulouse has immunity), yet nobody complains that no club can get promoted into championship one and that ALL championship one clubs have immunity from relegation.

I think I'm the only one who has posted so far who at the moment, doesn't actually think any teams will be added, or replace any of the current clubs. The only way I can see it happening is if a club goes bust or if Salford don't get their new stadium. I would say Cas and Wakey too but I feel they will end up showing their worth in areas such as crowds and performances. I know things can change, but at this stage I'm not totally convinced Salford can judging 2011 performances tbh)