Why couldn't they tap into that before now?

Not tapped into the manchester fan base for a hundred years...but get a point in the criteria for it...brilliant.

I agree with some of your points, however Catalans still finished bottom in their first season, so that extra 18mnths didn't seem to do them too much good. It doesn't matter if CC finish bottom in their first year, that is another of the benefits of franchising, they are technically being given three years to show they are up for it. Also, the franchising system has been pretty long winded and detailed, so you'd expect CC to have things ready to go...

Then again... there is always this on the way.......

Wow, thats a really nice stadium.....Will it be ready for the 2018 season.

Difficult to argue with the decisions really. Widnes I feel for, but they only have themselves to blame (When I say they, I mean previous management), and I suppose they blew it when the crashed and burnt in the 'Promotion/Franchise decider' against Castleford last year. Ultimately, if they'd won that game, there's have been none of this, although I acknowledge in a silly way, losing the game, and getting the new chap onboard has had a very positive effect on the club.

Don't edit my posts pal.

The PSG farce failed becuase it was set up in area of France where Rugby of any form is not playedat grass roots, Stade de France of course is ued for Union internationals.

Rugby (League and Union) in France is ed around Perpy, Carcassone etc.

If you want me to be a bit more accurate most UK attempts at expansion have failed. Cardiff, Gateshead, Sheffield (ultimately) all went, thats at the top level . Please dont tell me London is a success; several incarnations and financial bale outs.

I agree with JWP that Widnes have been a victim of last years fiasco but also to a larger extent pathetic financial mismanagement over the last 20 years by several different mangement teams.

You can look all starry eyed at expansion into Wqales if you want; it will fail, Widnes were a better bet for all exisiting clubs.

For what its worth I would have not given a franchise to both Wakey and Cas.

Having just spent 20 minutes or so reading through this topic, its apparent that Celtic's inclusion is seen as a victory for the expansionists over the traditionalists.

Fair play to the RFL for their efforts in expanding the game, but the cynic in me would suggest that the inclusion of the Welsh side will be a huge white elephant....Put simply, Wales is a Rugby UNION country, which as little interest in our game.

An influx of unknown Aussies may indeed spark off an intial interest, more out of curiosity, but once the novelty wears off, we will be left with another London/Harlequins on our hands, which despite what our expansionist friends may say, has been a general failure....Yes, they put up a decent enough show on the pitch, but on the terraces they are a joke...the largest catchment area for supporters, yet struggling to fill 1 side of their ground.

It isn't a fantastic advert for the game when neutrals see this London side with their minute support, and next year those neutrals can all laugh at the sight of Celtic playing in front of tiny, mainly disinterested crowds, at their shockingly early 20th century 'stadia'..



Apart from a false sense that the game is expanding, I can't see where the inclusion of Celtic helps anybody.

Exactly what I was trying to say, albeit badly.

Perhaps i should come on here before I next buy a lottery ticket, your powers of clairvoyance will come in handy with the numbers i'm sure.

At least give them a chance to prove themselves before writing them off - no one can possibly know whether or not the Celtic club will be a success and for people to preach as gospel that they will fail just shows why most of the country regards our game as a northern pit town game that no one gives 2 poops about.

The new stadium will make a huge difference. Warrington fans should not need that point pressing on them. The new developments at Salford Quays (including the new home of several BBC departments) are an exciting addition to an already thriving area. A shiny new stadium advertising itself in front of thousands of people per hour in a prime location has massively more potential than the tired old place hidden in a dodgy housing estate in Weaste.

Thats why Celtic keep beating them

Didn't know you'd has access to all the applications, but should have guessed, what with your insider connections.

If there was promotion and relegation for the next two seasons would Widnes get promoted? Unlikely.

And as for Padgate Wire and his corruption allegations (be careful with that!), I think your a little confused. Are you suggesting the RFL has accepted bribes to make the choices they have? My opinion is that they have made them because they believe they are the right ones for the greater good of RL. You have every right to disagree with those choices and are welcome to provide decent reasons why. But corruption? Come on!

It's PW what do you expect?

Is there any truth in the rumour that having been shafted by the RFL on so many occassions, Widnes' ground is being renamed the KY Stadium?

If these A, B, C gradings are correct, as I'm assuming, then one wonders what the point of this whole farrago was?
These are the criteria, try and fulfil as many as you can, and then we'll just ignore those teams we don't want anyway.
What a joke.

Your're only going off 1 person's interpretation, not the RFL facts.

Like the previouis two seasons you mean?

This is the bit I really donlt get with wringing of hands by Leythers and Widnesians. They have both had a neglible presence in SL over the years.

He doesn't let facts get in the way.

Pretty gutted that Widnes did not get in, I expected Celtic to be given a license although I disagree it. If I was a Widnes or Leigh fan I would be devastated!

Salford say they will be playing in this stadium in 2010 i think we all know this is not going to be the case, so it means a couple more season of crap crowds in a crap ground. There bid was based around the stadium which if they are lucky they will play in for 1 year out of the 3.....next time around would have been better imo.

Did anyone think that Leigh would be in, ok you got your shiny new ground but your team is dire and your fans couldnt be bothered last time you were in Super league.

As for Widnes after last year and not even knowing if they had a team until Januray this year thats were you down fall was.

Ok both Salford and celtic grounds are dumps but they are set on builting new or improving.

Salford have had some big crowds this season and I'm sure that this will double when they move across the city. With Celtic they may fail they may not at least they are a club who have been playing rugby and built a fan base unlike PSG and Gateshead. When they were thrown in at the deep end of super league.

Would Celtic? Are they currently obiding by the same salary cap and quota rules in the national league?