It's not just Toulouse that could apply. This is possibly a reaction to the rumours that Stade Francais and Barcelona could be interested.

Can only be a matter of time before they put in an exemption for iv) and any Rugby Union Premiership clubs

It seems obvious Widnes are granted one and been told already. Funny how no other team in the Championship is allowed a scholarship or a academy.Paul Cullen said just before the Northern Rail final that the Academy games are more important.So the effort has gone on criteria such as the bigger picture.Any team who goes up to Superleague will have upto 1.65 million to spend and not £300,000.If the players where good enough from the Championship they be playing in Superleague now.At Widnes we have one of the best youth set ups, and that is why we are in group A playing Saints,Wigan,HKR and Leeds.Beat Saints,Leeds and hkr recently.A few of these will end up Superleague players and with a good backer at the club we will attract big players from NRL.

Can't see it being Wakefield Paul. Their new stadium is going to be backed by Wakefield Council, and not Castleford's - the council have now said they will only back one. So, unless Cas' can come up with big private funding, they are stuffed!

If that is the case then 21 member clubs of the RFL should club together and sue the RFL for not acting in the interests of the game in general and not abiding by their own rules

They won't though, not 1 would even suggest it. It's hardly going to do any of the clubs any favours by sueing the governing body either is it!

Is it still criteria that you have to agree not to sue them if you apply?

Sadly I cannot see many clubs outside SL lasting much longer, how many chairmen are going to keep digging into their pockets year after year when there is nothing to achieve and how many supporters will start to lose interset (already happening), i'm surprised they have lasted this long as we all knew this was going to happen!

They were promised a franchise after being turned down on a technicality last time, is anyone really surprised?

Doesn't make it right or fair though, makes the last 3 years a waste of time, and a number of clubs going into administration who may or may not of done had they known

Widnes make a 1 Mill turnover every year?
Something stinks and its not chemicals....

they only have to do it for one year, so lets see I'm a millionare and I buy 10 shirts at £100,000 each, deal done.

As Fred Parky says Merchandise gets sales,and a Northern rail final will help.Runners up prize money and last year Widnes where only £100,000 off the 1 million mark. So not that far away.This year Widnes have got new sponsorship from Land Rover,3 G Modal and a few others which can not think of the top of my head.I know this is all unfair but it seems Widnes are nailed on.They are the best supported team in the Championship, and the crowds would be even higher if where doing better in the league.No disrespect to the Championship teams but we have the strongest bid.

but no prize money

Mate even if we get a licence i admit franchising is unfair.I wish was just promotion and relegation every year.Hey enjoy this season and go for the Grand Final as we wont be their this year.

edit



Im sure we'll go all out towards the GF in typical Leyth fashion (getting knocked out early on in the playoffs).

Good look in SL though you deserve to be there and should have been last time round!

who will our derby be in the future Oldham

Whats the point?

Looking at Toulouse Olympique's website, and allowing for my limited translation skills, it would appear that they are pushing for a new stadium, to meet SL criteria. They seem to be trying to get the go-ahead for this, by November 2010, in time to put in an application for a franchise, in December.

Yet again, this raises the question of what they were told by the RFL, earlier this season, about whether they needed to qualify 'on the pitch', like other Championship clubs.

Of course, this needn't affect Widnes' chances of getting a franchise, but it could cause some heartache for another existing SL club.

Before anyone raises the usual cry of 'here's another one who thinks the RFL is anti-Leigh' I fully accept that our chances of obtaining a franchise this time are virtually nil, and are certainly way behind Widnes's. However, I think it would be rather OTT if Toulouse were to get a franchise at the expense of an existing SL club!

I have to say in these crazy times of RL rapidly losing what it stands for......a sport where the team winning things on the park is the one classed as successful, that I'd put Toulouse in SL right away.

I see no point in having such a expensive club in the Championships for zero return to the RFL.
It must be costing them a fortune to fund the travelling / hotel costs, throw in the state of the game outside the top flight and its pure madness so much money should be blown on 1 clubs games.
Put em in SL as thats the only reason they are here in the Championships , they've given a few people a weekend away , Box ticked, now put em in that league and let the Championships become one of clubs doing things on the pitch rather than off it.

My thoughts exactly , I warned the club 2 years back , " Dont let them put Toulouse in " , the reply was " Oh , it's all right the RFL are paying for our travel costs " , My reply was , " yes with your money "

the thing is, the RFL DO NOT KNOW what is best for our game, they just think they do.
None of their decisions are personal, but unfortunately only 'time will tell' and whilst they won't admit their mistakes, they might think things 'slightly differently' in the future, or maybe not !

Does that mean what little is given to Champ clubs is reduced by the travel costs which the RFL kindly 'pay'. Is this to ensure the Champ clubs can actually fulfill the fixture?

By whatever means available, in our case and Dewsbury's!

Yep , but as I said , all the Clubs directors could see was the chance of a ' free ' jolly in France

Then they cut the numbers they would actually pay for to go





Derek what they pay the Cham clubs is a joke to get the full 'monty' you have to win the GF and Trains cup its a joke.

I am aware of what they announce to the press, and the reality of it all.

Who gives a monkeys chuff about SL ?

If Widnes get there, good luck to them.

Don't moan though when 3 years of stuffins, dwindling attendances and huge debts don't result in the demise of a great club.

Thats not just Widnes. Thats us, Fax and Barrow too.

Leave the 14 clubs as they are. They deserve each other. Crusaders might actually get 1300 next home game !