Fax as it stands now are the best choice for the licence.

However having been down to watch Keighley in Toulouse twice I think the potential for a sustainable Super League franchise there is huge, especially if they could co exist with Stade Toulousain. Rugby is in their blood there and talking to some of the locals there's a real appreciation for the game.

Oh and their Hot Dogs are downright amazing, which must tick another box on the franchise application form.

Neither is the UK version

I think it would be between Halifax and Featherstone with either the other or Toulouse to replace London for 2015.

Why?

If Fax were offered the place, they should grab it with both hands.

actually both have, as have sheffield as they made the GF last year

Rules are selective, they wont want to have a bidding contest, they will keep the contestants to a minimum, they need a quick decision , as they need to announce who it is in 4/5 weeks time

No , that qualifies them to submit an application for 2015-2018 , not the current period

I get you now, i stand corrected

not that it makes a difference really, i'm not sure i even want superleague the way it is currently being run

it would be easier for them to pick up more of bradfords players, it would be easier for their semi-pro players who were to step up to make that change, it would be easier for them to work out the travel arrangements and the effect on player performance, it took les catalans a year or two to sort that out.

Toulouse's costs will be higher with the additional travel and associated costs so they would need to make sure they could turnover enough to cover those higher costs.

Im not saying which one is best, just that in the immediate term Fax would find it a bit easier than Toulouse

Neither - Fev.

Bigger derby potential with Leeds, Cas and Wakefield.

Fax's nearest derby would be Hudds and Toulouse in this economic climate would be financial suicide.

Toulouse are already battle hardened to commuting the channel, 3 years in the Championship sorted that out, Mick Potter might fancy working in France again, and Bradfords Aussies might fancy some sunshine for a change, plus Faxs plans are highly speculative

Fev havent qualified for this licence period



All Toulouse need is the nod from a major sponsor, a 5 year tenure would swing it

Toulouse*, I want to see France become competitive again and see more French players developed to SL level.

* that's if they can show a decent business plan that proves financial sustainability at this level.

Or south Yorkshire eagles playing out of Doncaster stadium and marketed to Sheffield, Doncaster, Barnsley, Rotherham etc.

How will it be marketed? Two of those areas wouldn't know a rugby ball if it popped out of their anus. So basically you give a license to a merged Sheffield-Doncaster team. Poor Sheffield - another merger; although I suspect this time they'd be the daddy's.

Fanciful stuff.

Halifax

To be fair Halifax would be the obvious choice been the biggest club in the Championship at the moment and also the most successful over recent seasons.

Fair? No such word in RL

Don't suggest merging team in this country because you'll upset people. I understand people are proud of their history but for the sake of the game mergers need to happen. It will never happen and we will always be known as a minority sport because the game is mainly played in small northern towns. I wouldn't be surprised if the game went back to semi pro.

don't see why a uk merger couldn't work ? the Catalan Dragons seem to have done ok with good marketing etc

maybe the answer is to go back to semi-pro ?

On the basis that the RFL have been trying to get Cas and Wakey to merge (due to theim being only 12 miles apart), why would we want Fax in SL
ie another west yorkshire team.
Just because they have qualified and submitted an application.


Best thing to do isv ask Big Nige who should be in and we'll all nod our heads - like a chuchill nodding dog.
SL has become an embarrassment, the franchise system a sham and the sooner we become a sport again the better it will be for all concerned.
Whoever gets the nod will need a clearout of players, so why not allow the top team in the CC to be promoted. This would certainly make for an exciting finish to the season !

Can Halifax really attract 9000 fans and close to 1 mill pound in corporate/investor income? That is what is needed to be in SL and sustainable these days. Basically 1 mill in grants, 1 mill in fan income, 1 mill in sponsorship/benefactor income.

They have had crowds a couple of times at the Shay of around 9000, and many many times at Thrum Hall, so yes they potentially could. As for the rest...who knows?

Can London, Salford, Cas, Wakefield, Bradford, widnes?

Did Crusaders?

I agree JB, I would be happier if Fax could generate those crowds and income, but it doesn't seem to be important if your face fits or you can help out!