So, 2012 licences are sorted... What do you think the licence make-up will be for the 2015 season?

Here's my prediction on each club and their 2015 licence grade.

Bradford Bulls

I can't see much changing at Bradford over the next few years. A solid:  Grade B

Castleford Tigers

A good contributor to RL, especially the production of young talent. The whole application will hinge on moving into the new stadium. Without this they will stay a C, with this they could be a B+.

Catalan Dragons

If they continue their rapid growth I see no reason why they can't sneak a: Grade A.

Halifax RLFC

They seem to be some way behind, the geographical location does them no favours either. Grade C.

Harlequins RL

They will be in a very similar position as they are now, perhaps with a new name. If they can continue to produce homegrown players this will help their credibility enormously and strengthen their ties to the local community.

 London postcode alone will grant them a: Grade C & a SL place.

Huddersfield Giants 

Can't see much change here. Grade B.

Hull FC

Same again... Perhaps with a bit more on the field success. Grade A

Hull Kingston Rovers

Central to any progression here will be the on-going stadium redevelopment. If this goes ahead in time for the 2013 season as expected the club will grow it's supporter base and commercial turnover giving them a B+/A. Without this it will be very much the same as they're now.

Leeds Rhinos

Decreased on field performance and a lack of movement in developing Headingly could catch up with them. Overall still a big RL brand, big turnover, and a big contributor to SL. Grade A-

Salford City Reds

Without the new stadium they are screwed. They have a real challenge on their hands to engage a Manchester based audience when the city is on the verge of becoming a world football powerhouse.

Overall I think the RL will be keen to have a presence in this big UK city.

Grade C without the stadium, C+/B with it.

St Helens

A no brainer, 3 years into a new stadium... Grade A

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats

I can't see a new stadium being ready within the next 3 seasons, unless they have some bricks laid they're going to struggle to convince everyone they deserve another chance. Grade C-

Warrington Wolves

Same again.... Perhaps in the longer term stadium capacity will be an issue if they want to compete with Wigan. Irrespective of that a solid Grade A for the next round.

Widnes Vikings

I think Widnes will make a real go of it, assuming they avoid some kind of disaster I think they can achieve a strong Grade C if not a B by the next round.

Wigan Warriors

Grade A.

Other applications: 

Welsh team: I think they'll apply in some kind of guise, however the RFL will be very wary. Grade C.

French team: a second French team would be really appealing to the RFL, especially after the success of Catalins. It also presents a real opportunity to develop the French national team.

Overall it will be the same 14 teams now with the exception of Wakefield. A strategic SL 'project' team will make the step up, (French/Welsh).

What do you think?

Wakefield have a equal if not better chance than Cas of been in a new stadium within the next 3 years, hth.

It doesn't matter if they are ready the RFL have a track record of pushing unprepared expansion teams into the top flight. Unless of course they have learned the lesson!

And just as much chance of not being

Hull KR will never be an A grade team, you would have to get a stadium like your neighbours or maybe join them at there stadium, plus the fact your youth programme would have to improve massively.
Also Manchester BECOMING a world football powerhouse, it already is a world football powerhouse.

In fairness I didn't realise Salfords was so far along, my bad, fair play to them. They'll still struggle to fill it.

So maybe the next time you decide to do an assessment of clubs , you should actually check up first on some actual facts , not hard to find out is it really

And you are correct , they will struggle to half fill it let alone fill it

And why would we struggle to fill it? Everyone said warrington wouldn't fill the hj stadium with crowdr of 5000 at wilderspool, fans will go to decent facilities and better access will encourage driving to trafford centre and walking from there, I mean were on the verge of a sell out for tomorrows game. That's over 11000 salford fans, so the fans are there they just need somthing to get em to the games.

I went to the Trafford Centre last week and saw a stadium on the other side of the motorway bridge. I actually assumed it was FCUM's new. Was quite surprised when I came home and google'd it to find out what it was. Looks pretty good.

Just an opinion RL , just an opinion

It's an interesting point about 3 years hence.
Salford & Saints will join the others with an A licence.
Leeds ground is their liability with the council now being unable to meet their funding needs. They could end up a B licence.
If Cas don't get their new ground sorted and Wakefield have then the Tigers could drop out of SL.
SL clubs may decide to reduce to 13 clubs so there are bye's every week.
Take the pressure off the players and the SKY money would increase between them to offset the drop in revenue from one game.

Salford A grade - pah

Like you, I find the perception amongst some RL fans that Castleford are further on than Wakefield with regard to a new stadium somewhat baffling.

Cas - Planning permission for ground but funding dependent on sale of Wheldon Rd for a supermarket. Planning application for said development has just been delayed by three months.

Wakefield - Funding in place. Stadium subject to a public inquiry to be held in December with decision in March. Planning ready to be submitted on decision of public inquiry.

One or both could yet be fooked.

There seems to be a remarkable amount of people who don't seem to understand the licencing criteria - Headingley as it is easily meets the required standards. Even Headingley minus the South Stand meets them. In every other respect Leeds are also A grade and will continue to be so.