Then again... there is always this on the way.......

Wow, thats a really nice stadium.....Will it be ready for the 2018 season.

Difficult to argue with the decisions really. Widnes I feel for, but they only have themselves to blame (When I say they, I mean previous management), and I suppose they blew it when the crashed and burnt in the 'Promotion/Franchise decider' against Castleford last year. Ultimately, if they'd won that game, there's have been none of this, although I acknowledge in a silly way, losing the game, and getting the new chap onboard has had a very positive effect on the club.

Don't edit my posts pal.

The PSG farce failed becuase it was set up in area of France where Rugby of any form is not playedat grass roots, Stade de France of course is ued for Union internationals.

Rugby (League and Union) in France is ed around Perpy, Carcassone etc.

If you want me to be a bit more accurate most UK attempts at expansion have failed. Cardiff, Gateshead, Sheffield (ultimately) all went, thats at the top level . Please dont tell me London is a success; several incarnations and financial bale outs.

I agree with JWP that Widnes have been a victim of last years fiasco but also to a larger extent pathetic financial mismanagement over the last 20 years by several different mangement teams.

You can look all starry eyed at expansion into Wqales if you want; it will fail, Widnes were a better bet for all exisiting clubs.

For what its worth I would have not given a franchise to both Wakey and Cas.

Having just spent 20 minutes or so reading through this topic, its apparent that Celtic's inclusion is seen as a victory for the expansionists over the traditionalists.

Fair play to the RFL for their efforts in expanding the game, but the cynic in me would suggest that the inclusion of the Welsh side will be a huge white elephant....Put simply, Wales is a Rugby UNION country, which as little interest in our game.

An influx of unknown Aussies may indeed spark off an intial interest, more out of curiosity, but once the novelty wears off, we will be left with another London/Harlequins on our hands, which despite what our expansionist friends may say, has been a general failure....Yes, they put up a decent enough show on the pitch, but on the terraces they are a joke...the largest catchment area for supporters, yet struggling to fill 1 side of their ground.

It isn't a fantastic advert for the game when neutrals see this London side with their minute support, and next year those neutrals can all laugh at the sight of Celtic playing in front of tiny, mainly disinterested crowds, at their shockingly early 20th century 'stadia'..

Apart from a false sense that the game is expanding, I can't see where the inclusion of Celtic helps anybody.

The new stadium will make a huge difference. Warrington fans should not need that point pressing on them. The new developments at Salford Quays (including the new home of several BBC departments) are an exciting addition to an already thriving area. A shiny new stadium advertising itself in front of thousands of people per hour in a prime location has massively more potential than the tired old place hidden in a dodgy housing estate in Weaste.

Thats why Celtic keep beating them

Didn't know you'd has access to all the applications, but should have guessed, what with your insider connections.

If there was promotion and relegation for the next two seasons would Widnes get promoted? Unlikely.

And as for Padgate Wire and his corruption allegations (be careful with that!), I think your a little confused. Are you suggesting the RFL has accepted bribes to make the choices they have? My opinion is that they have made them because they believe they are the right ones for the greater good of RL. You have every right to disagree with those choices and are welcome to provide decent reasons why. But corruption? Come on!

It's PW what do you expect?

Is there any truth in the rumour that having been shafted by the RFL on so many occassions, Widnes' ground is being renamed the KY Stadium?

If these A, B, C gradings are correct, as I'm assuming, then one wonders what the point of this whole farrago was?
These are the criteria, try and fulfil as many as you can, and then we'll just ignore those teams we don't want anyway.
What a joke.