After Saturday they know that France has to have more full-time pros to pick from to compete internationally, so we can expect Toulouse to get in, likely at the expense of a current club. After that it depends on the bids, which in turn depend on who makes the Championship Grand Finals and National Rail Cup Finals. There could be 2 teams moving up and 2 down, but time will tell.

Who really cares



Never mind, the statement regarding ground improvements at Craven Park seems to have bypassed your reply response.

Idiot!



Great idea, let's relegate a team averaging 7000-8000 and who has one of the league's biggest away followings for a part-time club getting 400-500.





One London club in SL clearly hasn't caught the interest of people in the capital, a second one would only divide the minute interest that there is.





I say keep us, Cas and Wakey. Drop Quins and Celtic, and get Widnes and Halifax in.

Another Franchise thread.
It's so long since we had one of these.
It's so long since anyone prattled on about it on other threads.

Anyhow, here's my suggestion ....................



Have one big massive league with 36 teams in it and a top 20 play- off. Play every week of the year. Pull some "experts" off these boards to fill the posts for extra referees. No salary cap.

Everyone's a winner. Mange tout..............................



[size=67(i've just realized that there is no P&R in this system. Oh well, back to the drawing board)[/size

most sensible post so far on the thread , amazing how many folk are doing the mystic meg already.

As well as getting you guys and the Chemics back in, I say return the CC Final to May, bin the MM farce and bring back the Regal Trophy.

Toulouse wouldn't work.

Chateauneuf du Pape!

I second this.

Its never too early for the wind up merchants or the bitter ones



Lets wait and see what the future holds. The RFL will no doubt have a plan A B C D E to suit when needed.

I'm a bit worried about SL these days.



I think the money is there, its just that every team is run by complete idiots!

How can the game ever move forward when your bring in experts to fix thinks like the walking disaster Tony Smith?

And the bloke thats coaching the Crusaders, he should be sacked NOW!

Its just a joke how these failures get so many chances to ruin the game in the UK.

yep....but I did have to cast my line twice

As I see it.......

[uDefinite[/u
•St Helens - Regardless of whether they have a new stadum they will still be in be because of on-field performance, youth-dev etc..
•Leeds - Despite getting an A for their stadium wasn't part of the South Stand condemned recently and had to be re-built will still be in be because of on-field performance, youth-dev, attendances etc..
•Wigan - Will still be in because of stadium, history, attendances etc...
•Hull-Gateshead - Will still be in because of stadium, attendances etc...

[uAlmost Certain[/u
•Warrington - Decent venue will keep them in, regardless of how many up and down spells they have.
•Huddersfield - Decent venue will keep them in, regardless of how many up and down spells they have.
•Bradford - Antiquated stadium, poor playing record, attendances dropping. Realistically they perhaps don't deserve to be in this group. But history should keep them up (plus the fact there's still another 2.5 years to go and they could improve on the field).

[uIn because the RFL can't drop them[/u
•Celtic - Club outside the heartlands - 'nuff said
•Quinns - London based club - 'nuff said
•Catalans - Club outside the heartlands - 'nuff said

[uThese teams need to be worried[/u
•Wakefield - History of under performance and no new stadium.
•Castleford - History of under performance and no new stadium.
•Hull KR - Do they actually have a stadium or do they play in some-one's back yard? Can their on-field performance save them?
•Salford - History of under performance and no new stadium.

[uLikely to come up[/u
•Widnes - as long as they don't go into administration (and win at least 1 Grand Final) they should come up.

[uUnikely to come up[/u
•Toulouse - depending on how their on-field performance goes - it's probably too early.
•Featherstone - Not a great ground, not always fighting for championship honours, unless they enjoy a drastic change in fortunes they are probably not ready.
•CUmbrian Team - simple question [u[iWHO???[/i[/u Is any Cumbrian team ready for Super League? I agree that Super League should have a cumbrian team but is any cumbrian team ready yet? No. Can you see the Cumbrian teams merging? No.
•Halifax - Not a great ground, not always fighting for championship honours, unless they enjoy a drastic change in fortunes they are probably not ready.

What about Halifax BenG

Cas no stadium, Cas no stadium, Cas no stadium, Cas no stadium, Cas no stadium, Cas no stadium, Cas no stadium....



To be honest, I fear for future accident statistics around the M62/A1 junction. Once Castleford's stadium work becomes self evident to passers by it's going to be a nightmare for all you Cas-bashers, having to drive with your eyes closed so you can still pretend it's not happening.

Still don't see how we can be at risk. Having the world's biggest/best RL derby is one of many positives of our inclusion.

Now added



Despitie the fact I believe there's only 1 team at the momemnt capable of making it into Super League. I'm pleased that the State of Rugby League does appear to be healthy, judging by the number of teams "almost" ready for SL.

Halifax ground will be finished in December top of the league and in semi of nr cup so most be doing ok

Just a thought, if MM became a huge success in Edinburgh next year and the year after, would the RFL consider a Scottish franchise for 2012?!

I thought that was the whole idea

Don't think HKR are at risk at all. Aren't you building/improving certain things with the stadium at the moment, or does it always look like a building site


As for the biggest derby.......your principles have prevented you from seeing the actual biggest derby, Quins V Catalans....which has had to be postponed due to the level of expected crowd violence in the surrounding area prior to the game

....well, that's what SLY TV said when they moved it

Who knows, does the RFL do anything using logic?!



Couldn't see it taking off up there to be honest, with football being so huge, + RU popular.

Cant see it taking off in Wales either but they seem to think otherwise

Hull KR, Wakefield and Celtic to drop out. Widnes, Halifax and Toulouse to come in, IMO.