But the rules are already laid down. If Gateshead dont achieve the required criteria then they stand no chance of getting a franchise. That is unless the clubs roll over for the RFL again.....

According to the interview in Rugby League World with Nigel Wood, they're still working on the criteria for next time around

I have to say I totally agree with you Tony Fax. Leigh have finished in a relegation spot, by virtue of the rules this year which state that if Toulouse finish in a relegation spot then the one directly above them are relegated. These are the rules that they started the season with and all clubs knew this was the case.

This is just the same as the Bonus point, which is ridiculous, which was there at the start of the season.

If you got rid of both these silly rules Leigh would be relegated.

No change...

Much will depend upon the success/failure of Celtic Crusaders and let's be honest, they haven't set the World alight have they? If the RFL hold them up as an example of how well expansionism works then that particular press conference will be over before the flash bulbs have warmed up.

Yer but pre Sky the game was on National TV on Saturday afternoons in winter when people are in watching sport (if they are not at a game of football or RU which is still a lot of people) on BBC with the Challenege Cup games and Regal Trophy.
Who sees RL now?
The Challenge Cup is still on BBC but often played on Saturday and Sunday now at some weird times too.

Hear, hear.
I have said that before.
Also look at Gaelic football in Ireland, does it really matter if outside their 'heartland' nobody is interested as long as the game is strong in its own backyard???
No.
Funny how both Aussie rules and Gaelic football have big crowds yet no publicity anywhere else.
But take a look at the national stadium in Ireland, the biggest one in the country - who plays there remind me???

I dont agree.

BBC only showed a couple of trophies and their coverage was still pretty poor at best. They still show the Challenge cup, but show more games than they used to do, even though the second game is BBC2 on a Sunday.

I think there is more opportunity for people without SKY to see Rugby League than there was pre-SKY.

Sky are good at what they do and far better than the BBC and ITV in their presentation I agree BUT remember Sky is a subscription channel with about 6 million is it? subscribers plus RL is on one of THREE sports channels so not always the first choice of those who do have it.
When RL was on Grandstand Saturday afternoons it was available to all and you seem to have forgotten the Regal Trophy gave exposure to some of the 'lesser' clubs not just the big boys.

Infact it's interesting to see how little the so called expansion clubs are shown on SKY. Celtic ... hmmmm, can only remember their match against Wakey. Catalans and Harlequins not too often either. Despite their bleating about expansion, SKY always seem to want to show the blood and thunder matches like Hull KR v Warrington, where at least you get some FAN RIVALRY as well as on the pitch rivalry.

Even they seem to admit the intensity just isn't there when there's no away fans .... I remember Paul Sculthorpe on the telly afew weeks back when he was commenting on the Saints performance against Celtic at home when they won summat like 30 nil. "It's hard to get up for a game when there's no away fans and no atmosphere". No comment from the SKY guy (I think it was The Super League Show) .... "Let's move on Paul ... you can't say that".

By all means, if they want a strong Welsh or French presence then by all means encourage them to have their own league and have an end of season play off comp or summat, but for gods sake don't let them in the English league .... soulless boring empty matches which nobody cares about, not to mention sacrificing other clubs to try and achieve their unachievable objective.

quality as ever tony

Tony is our blind Master Po.
Ever wise.

If Toulouse could have been relegated they would not have finished in a relegation place , of that I have no doubt

But that then brings into question what they bring to the competition and what they are getting out of being in it ?

One thing is for sure , and that is them finishing below Leigh and not going down is bad for the credibility of our competition and the sport in general

They're preparing for SL. Why bother playing in England if they are just going to dick around in the Championship?

Year One: Bed in and acclimatise.
Year Two: Squadbuilding and competing
Year Three: Preparing for Franchise
Year Four: Bye bye Toulouse, hello Glasgow


...........and so the whole thing starts again.

What do we get out of it?

This: