One or two on here are over looking Barrow. They are making great progress and are as deserving as any for a place. Its not all about Widnes and France.

This is all very interesting... especially as some months ago now John Wilkinson was supposed to have said at a public meeting that the RFL had personally issued him a warning. Unless 'actual' building begins on the Salford Stadium by the end of this year then they would not be looked on favourably for the next round of franchises.

Shortly after this 'those' letters were posted to the Infamous Five about ground improvements.

With the news that Salford are back to the stage of ground clearing and that this itself won't be started until spring next year I'd say things aren't looking too rosy for the Reds.

Those that are overlooking Barrow have almost certainly seen the state of their stadium!

It would be more than hypocritical for the RFL to punish one team for their facilities whilst overlooking the dump that is Craven Park.

They are currently in talks to renovate, but they don't have the finances yet and according to their fans it is looking like a mammoth sum needed.

Expect a very strong application from them in 2015 if Des doesn't get bored by then but 2012 is far too early for them.

Des might have his coaching badge by then so he can do it all himself

Indeed.

I'm guessing he already picks the team.

Just because they've won the Championship?

I think the key point was Lewis saying 'Yes' to the question posed whether a current SL team would lose their licence. That's a turn around, he has never said that before. He has always guaranteed a Champ side a licence, but he said that based on EITHER a side getting the boot, or increasing to 15 sides. I think it's a very interesting change of position from the RFL - looks to me like he's a bit annoyed at some broken promises and he's going to make an example of someone, and he's probably regretting not doing it last time round. Either that, or he needs to shoehorn Paris in somehow and doesn't want to go above 15 teams.

I think this upcoming round of licences could end even more accrimoniously that than the last lot.

I'm sure he said " a team would be invited to join Super League from the Championship" , this must point to Toulouse.

rowanandmartinslaughin.com/wolfgang.jpg Very interesting

rowanandmartinslaughin.com/wolfgang.jpg Very interesting

Leigh are the new darling club of the RFL



Only this week Nigel Wood has come out on record to say the RFL are looking forward to Leigh making a strong contribution to the Championship,already having granted them a relegation reprieve.

Not only did they as a visionary club fully embraced the RFL's 'Framing the future' blueprint, they have also fully applied all the recommendations the RFL laid down at the last franchise application process on facilities, finance,youth & community that they stated would assist Leigh developing into a 'future stong SL candidate'.

It's now by no means a co-incidence they appear to be assembling a strong playing squad on the field under the guidance of a world class head coach.

All of which has impressed The RFL and achieved without the need of any SKY handouts.

Whilst during the same timescales some SL clubs have, well you can all judge that for yourselves.....