No , the only way a british based Championship club can apply is if they have satisfied the on field criteria

No and No

A british based Championship club can only apply if they have satisfied the ON field criteria of winning the NRC or making a Championship GF

A club outside the british Isles can be ' invited ' to apply by the RFL

Why is it pretty much nailed on?

If Wakefield are playing in a fancy all seater stadium at the start of 2012 would you still think that?

Didn't think that was the case


Would it be better if it was that way?

i.e. guaranteeing a place for one of those that satisfied the on-field criteria, and offering a possible additional place for anyone that may have an outstanding case (as difficult as it would be, but if they wanted it to be easier they've had the chance on the pitch)?

No I wouldn't think that.

But I'd say it's pretty much nailed on that they won't be, which is why I think it's pretty much nailed on that they'll be the ones to go.
But that's only "pretty much nailed on". Still leaves room for "extremely slim chance!"

Not bothered as I dont want a franchised SL spot

So they are moving to Barnsley then

They havent changed anything, this was the same process used originally, except whereas in 2008 british clubs needed to be in the championship to apply, in 2011 they need to have won the NRC or appeared in a GF.

Overseas clubs were always treated differently. There hasnt been a change

You think Oakwell is a fancy all seater stadium?

I havent said they had , I was just explaining it to people who didn't understand it

I have no idea , if it isn't then Wakey will not be playing in a fancy all seater stadium by 2012 , because neither will Cas,Salford or Saints be playing in their own stadiums , although some will be ' renting '

Erm......





BTW it isnt the RFL operating rules, its the SL operating rules,

I stand corrected

Is there a difference ?

and where are they wrote down ?

Between the RFL and SL? Yes

As they say , Whatever , I couldn't give a toss

Well I would disagree, if things don't move quick enough with the new stadium project I believe a plan B is in the pipeline that involves such a proposal. Either way Wakey have only one season left at BV. The ground has been sold to an housing developer so the situation will be forced upon them. Based on that Wakefield will be well ahead of Salford even if Salford are in the new ground. Castleford will in all probabilities will still be at WR so Wakey would win hands down on facilities alone. Some interesting times ahead!

By Rugby League standards Yes. Most certainly good enough to meet franchise criteria.

Its certainly good enough to meet the minimum standards, but even in RL and even worse, in Barnsley it isnt considered 'fancy'

Sorry, I just thought it might be fun to have 15 with a Top 5 Play Off System



Understandable, but I'd rather like to think Hull would take one for the team, so to speak, and let them play there.



Sorry, I just thought it might be fun to have 15 with a Top 5 Play Off System



Sorry, me Minimes. Mistype.

This one statement shows the completely absurd situation that licensing has produced

Well I'm used to watching rugby at Belle Vue so it's like a palace for us

I couldn't agree more with you but the situation has been forced on us as a club. At least we will have played within the rules and not had the rules changed for our benefit.

Playing within the rules doesn't get you anywhere in RL , making your own rules is the way to go

Agreed. Depends how it is weighted too as Cas are better than Wakefield in most of the other areas too so it would be grossly unfair if the stadium was judged on its own for those at risk without taking into consideration other factors.

For instance: is onfield performance better or worse than modern facilities, what about commercial aspects, youth development etc.