I think this idea has some merit. I've always thought there seem to be very few community clubs in the Potteries and the Black country compared to other areas. It would be good to see RL played more in populous areas like Stoke and Wolverhampton.

There used to be a 4 team league in the Stoke area in the 2nd half of the 1980s. But nothing now. Wolverhampton have a club but they could only raise a team half the time this year.

The only realistic areas are Nottingham, Loughborough/Leicester and Coventry in my book and RU is not particularly played much in Stoke nor Wolverhampton and certainly not when compared to neighbouring counties like Worcestershire and to a lesser degree Shropshire which whilst some might see as an opportunity is not ideal when looking for players or a fan base.

Leicester is a rugby mad city that also boosts a well supported football club and with Loughborough Uni as a source of players could be an area to develop eventually but with no decent non league ground or the like within the City finding a suitable home will be their problem.

Nottingham and Coventry have the coaching sturcture, the grounds but if the will is there (especially with the Outlaws) to take the step up so soon has to be the doubt. Then again that goes for any new club I fear and the fact that it seems the RFL nor the 2 new sides don't know who they are yet could mean they are onto a loser from the start and starting badly could affect future prospects terminally when they need to get publicity and support locally.

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Right Nigel , now that you have ' stabilised ' SL and the Championship by putting the Bulls on ' probation ' , although what that actually means , nobody knows , Can you now sort out this fiasco ?

4 Clubs you said , [size=1504[/size NEW clubs

Starbug - due to circumstances outside of their control the RFL can't answer your question. Anyway, it's only Championship Two. Doesn't really matter does it? Bradford are saved and SL is teriffic again. What more do you want?

Oxford so says the RL express, Tony Benson to coach, announcement tomorrow. I do take an interest in the new clubs formed, however shambolic it appears to be at times, fingers crossed they all have a successful first season in terms of interest. Now who will be number 4, Coventry?

From what I've heard, the Oxford bid actually sounds quite promising with some good people involved. Apparently Coventry are struggling due to some key recent departures?

Coventry is the only live bid left. I'm significantly more optimistic about the chances than I was but expect the decision one way or the other to be announced soon. I don't know of anyone leaving that would affect it. The Oxford bid collapsed but has been reformed. The bid was only recently looked into as the Bears were to be sacrifical lambs to appease the demons running Northampton Rebels but that wasn't enough.

Coventry Bears have been accepted into the NCL as a fall back plan.

I'm waiting ror one to be called, "Due Dilligance", that seems to have banded about a lot these past few months.

[url=http://www.loverugbyleague.com/news_10266-oxford-to-join-championship-1.htmlThe RFL have announced that Oxford Rugby League club will enter Championship 1 in 2013.[/url