Reading between the lines of the RFL "expanding it geographical footprint" you would suspect that Coventry and Bristol would have the best chance of being the other two teams.

Cov is only 30 miles or so from Northampton

Congratulations to Hemel. They're a true growth club, who have grown all the way from effectively a pub side, to create a good first team, but more importantly the youth development and facilities behind that.

Doesn't make much difference which side now Chester have withdrawn their bid. There were rumours Medway had withdrawn but I can't substantiate it. Oxford bid is still going but nothing's known about it. The Bristol bid want to move the bid to Gloucester hence delays there. I think Coventry and Bristol will be the preference

Whats the benefits of moving from Bristol to Gloucester?

I am all for expansion,and congratulate those new clubs to championship 1, but clubs have to develop at there own pace, if there is one thing the RFL should have learned it is that fast tracking teams will almost certainly lead to them failing, this is bad for the clubs and does nothing for the image of the RFL.

The backer lives in Cheltenham so it's nearer where he lives.

Hemel have been going for 31 years and trying to go semi pro for 21 of those years so hardly fast tracking.

Seems a bit daft with bristol getting a WC game

I am More concerned with teams being fast tracked from championship 1.

I'm happy for Hemel, but disappointed at the lack of detail in the article. Where is the Championship club going to play, AFAIK the current home ground doesn't have any stands?

We will be based at Pennine Way. The ground has been fenced in, a new spectator rail has been installed aswell as 250 lux floodlighting. Plan is for 400 seats to be erected during the summer months.