Quote: spanishbob "I think you are missing the bigger picture.
Widnes, by winning the Northern Rail Cup have now qualified to make an application in 2011, for inclusion in 2012.
The two teams who compete the Grand Final also qualify to make an application, as does the Winner of the cup and the Grand Final teams for teh next couple of years.
That said it is only a right to make an application and ALL the other criteria still exist. I could see the RFL dropping the odd team out of Superleague, if only to make an example, but this would only if the stadium of all the big teams are acceptable. Therefore if St Helens ground is not complete I wouldnt expect any team to be dropped out of Superleague.
But lets say they dropped either Castleford, Wakefield or Salford out of the league and opened it up for a couple to come in, this would certainly be Toulouse (this expands the RFLs French plans) and perhaps Widnes or Gateshead (for expansion).
I do think the RFL would come up with some reason to keep us out, the last time it was the stadium (although it was and is better condition than Brewery Field).'"
The next year only!!!!!!! GF and NRC final in 2011 will take place after the deadline for applications. Clever boys the RFL as the first one to count for 2012 featured Celtic and Salford
