The two teams to be admitted to SL in 2012 will be Widnes and Toulouse, we all know that. We all knew it would be Salford and Wales last year. What would it take for Fax to spoil the party? I think the only way to stop SL getting their chosen teams in would be for Fax to win the Grand Final for the next three seasons, with probably a Northern Rail Cup thrown in as well.

And where would it leave the RFL if Toulouse do nothing in the next three years and still get promoted? And if some of the super league clubs dont get new grounds, dont stop busting salary caps etc but still stay in super league?

Hopefully then these blinkered people who support the whole sorry mess will then see it for what it is. But then again if it doesnt effect their club's status.....

I honestly feel that by 2012 the RFL will have changed the criteria totally to suit their plans or scrapped the thing completely cos they know they'll be found out this time

A lot will come down to who has the Floodlights Sky Like the most.

i think they could be teams coming down next time around if they dont come up with the goods that they promised (new stadiums etc)

SKY won't like going to Toulouse.

They seldom go to Catalans but rather take the feed from Canal+

There was an interesting debate on sporting finances on the radio this morning amidst specualtion that if a lot of cash strapped people cancel their satellite subscriptions then there could be a knock on effect.

I thought SKY had reported an increase in subscriptions as people have opted to stay in more often than going out.

Just to add to this debate, I expect a lot of sporting clubs to go bust with the current financial struggles, this was the only thing that stopped Widnes going up last time around.

only in and around Bridgend, i still say this is why Celtic got in super league so Sky can and have sold more dishes.

Its a differant World that we live in since the banks crashed and advertising is for one being hit hard,hence ITV and Channel 4 being in big trouble.

I would not worry too much about whats going to happen in 2012, as their will be many bridges to cross before then and some teams may not get across.

This league we are in is a good one and as long as your team has not overstretched financially the next few years should be good ones with many great games.

Thats Barrow out of the equation then

I understood there were two statements made at the time the 2009 franchises were agreed which suit us:

1) The strongest NL team over the next three years would be guaranteed a franchise - that could easily be us?
2) The number of 2012 franchises is not limited. i.e. if 4 clubs meet the criteria, they will grant four franchises - as I see it, the only thing that will let us down in our application in three years is our crowds.

Anyone know if either of these are fact or newspaper gossip?

or smoke screen? keep the locals happy?