D DAY TUESDAY 26-7-11


RFL STAND BY 14-TEAM PLAN


[iThe Rugby Football League have confirmed that the number of teams in Super League will remain at 14 from next season.

The decision ends any lingering hopes of a reprieve for one of the current top-flight clubs when the new three-year licences are announced.

The RFL have already given the nod for Widnes to return to Super League in 2012 and will make public the other 13 three-year clubs next Tuesday.

That means one side will be definitely be demoted to the Championship at the end of the current campaign - it could even be two if the RFL's independent board of directors decide to award a licence to Halifax, who initially lost out to Widnes back in March.

RFL chief executive Nigel Wood said

I hope its not us.

Think we should be fine, but I'm not jumping to any conclusions - this is the RFL after all.

Let's just hope that whoever it is that gets the chop, the club and the fans handle the announcement with all the dignity that the Widnes club did three years ago, and not squeal like wounded pigs and then spend three years trawling message boards bleating about other clubs' perceived shortcomings like some of their fans did.

Should be fine - no scouse clubs potentially getting the boot.

Its going to be announced at 11am on Sky Sports News, although I think the clubs find out a little bit before the actual announcement is made.