A journalist friend of mine has sent me a message to say that some papers are running a story tomorrow claiming that the RFL will postpone the new round of franchises until 2015. They will put this down to the economic climate as it has been difficult for clubs to build new stadiums. However, the real reason is that they are fearful that the 'relegated' club might be successful in legal action should Crusaders remain on Super League at their expense.
Featherstone and Batley have withdrawn their intentions to apply having being told the news (and possibly offered incentives), whilst other clubs are currently seeking legal advise.
Widnes have been approached with the possibility of merging with Crusaders (Widnes Crusaders) with most games played at Widnes, but a proportion taking place in Wales.
Interesting.

heard this rumour too myself today, but cant see the merger with Widnes going down to well, lets just stop messing about and wasting time on expansion that wont work ever and just put Widnes straight in, common sense will never prevail at RFL HQ

i've just read something about this on the wakey MB.
it doesn't matter if its true or false its just such a funny story.

I would imagine that Widnes might be interested, certainly if it is their opportunity to get into SL which won't come up again till 2015. They will get the vast majority of games at home next year and probably all of them the year after once attendances there are so much higher, it will be a matter of time before they can revert back to 'Vikings' and Crusaders will be a distant memory, a la Gateshead.

This sounds so much like a windup, it could actually be true

WTF?

The RFL move the goalposts so many times nothing should surprise me, but what the hell are they thinking.

I actually think that the RFL may all be secret Rugby Union agents, trying to make our game as big a laughing stock as possible

It`ll be a WUM.

You'll fit right in on these boards with that type of conspiracy theorising....

You are aware they have done this before arn't you?
Infact they have done it twice in recent years!

I personally think that Fax should be going to SL and not Wignes. The story that they had an under the table nod that they would be in stinks. Plus they have only won the NRC. I know Leigh haven't won a thing but I don't think we should be in either. Not yet anyway. If this does happen then I think that the team that consistantly gets to finals and wins them should be going up not a team that is languishing mid table knowing they already have the nod.

The RFL are a disgrace. Widnes need to be in SL ASAP, and Crusaders removed. That's the only way we can grow the game and compete with other sports in the UK.

Not so much under the table really. Haven't they attended several SL meetings already? Now is that a windup too?

Crudnes Vikings.

Yeah - I can see that.

Nah ........"Wrexnes OMG where`s Dalton gone ViWarriors".