That's been the case since 1996. Before 1996, we had a semi-pro league and an amateur league, with massive gaps between them.

Except we are going to have clubs that were proffessional playing amateur , that's progress ? , basically we've got rid of what was NL 2 and put a couple of Heartland clubs into what was NL 3

Fantastic

All I will say is that it's IMPERATIVE Oxford get in, in my opinion. What with the University, it will help give rugby league the perfect platform to get on the big stage Varsity wise compared to Yawnion.

Very true. League is pretty much invisible to both town and gown there.

Any chance one of the mods could merge rlthis threadrl, into this thread, please? For some reason it was started on the International Rugby League board. Thanks.

Gateshead have been bankrupt about 5 or 6 times. Skolars have a (relatively) rich backer prepared to subsidise them at this level.

The South Wales club are too weak and didn't finish RLCN.

Crusaders?

I don't think so, they are likely to be one of the weakest teams in CC1.

How is it great news ?

Maybe you'd be happy to play away on Thursday nights for no money ?

When the 4 clubs are playing in the Anglo French comp , what are the other 6 clubs going to be doing ? , will we see any fans from France making the trip to Fev,Fax,Sheffield or Leigh ?

Will the people of these towns turn out to watch the French ?

This season we don't even have relegation to worry about , the season will be over after 5/6 games

I thought maybe he was referring to Valley Cougars. They won the 2010 Welsh Conference and finished 6th in their first season in the RLC National.

At the end of the day we will get teh expansion our great game deserves yes it will be difficult for the heartland clubs that are left but as long as the highest four clubs are promoted to make the championship division and the championship 0ne is made up of clubs that have the business plan in place to succed and to enhance our game then in a couple of years we will be wondering what all the worry is. Change is difficult and a strain on the heartlands clubs supporters left but lets all be proffesional and work to make this happen succesfully with full relegation and promotion in place for 2014 showing them muppets in Superleague what a great game we have as opposed to there reality television show with no promotion or relegation

Gateshead were bankrupt 4 times between 2000 and 2003 because they had virtually no assets following the merger, I hardly see what relevance that has to this thread.

That sounds like it will work then

Surprised no Nottingham on that list as I would guess moving back to the Harvey Hadden this season was with Championship rugby in mind not for the benefit of Conference fans this summer.