What a great thread, congrats Mr*77 for stimulating such debate. Very rare we get a 7 pager on here and it's not revolving around Danny being a buffoon.

I think whatever Paul Youane thinks, that's my rules nowadays and I'm sticking to it. (Sorry WOTT, this guy is the real deal, capeesh.)

In all seriousness, it's real tough to call, you can see merits in all applications to be fair, I think even Leigh with the new facility can feel a tad hard done too if they don't get in.

Going back a few pages, i'd go with what behind the stick says, gut feeling says that the 12 that are in are in, so to speak.

Leaving just two slots, I'll plump for Salford & Widnes, but I do sincerely hope that i'm wrong and Celtic Crusaders get in. I think as fans, certainly our fans, we've always been very good at grasping these new concepts, taking many fans to Catalans, Millenium Magic, even cup finals that we aren't involved in are littered with Warrington fans, I think it's be nice to have another different fixture on the klist, weekend in Wales, taking in the rugby, something for the other half to do etc. It's be nice.

The way this has all been handled is just wrong. Some current SL clubs are now in the situation where they are unsure about whether or not they'll get a 'franchise', while other NL clubs might get one despite their performances on the field (which surely should be what it's all about?) not meriting a top flight spot.

If the powers that be are determined to fast-track the Welsh club, they should have said so at the start of this season - we're increasing to 14, Celtics are in, the bottom club goes down and the top two from NL1 come up.

The no relegation scenario this season has only made things worse - Wakefield could end up in the Cup final and the top six and be booted out, Cas could come bottom and stay in, someone pages back in this thread opined that Hull KR might not be safe despite putting out a competitive side since being promoted. It's bloody ridiculous.

Such ham-fisted, farcical administration hardly shows RL in a good light. This is no way to run a sport.

Personally I would like Widnes, Leigh and Salford to get in to even up the Lancashire and Yorkshire clubs. Don't know which one would drop out though - could be Hull KR, Castleford or Wakefield.

The same ones who have failed to gain promotion for the past x amount of years.

Whoa there Hoss. You are shoe-horning the criteria as you see it, then criticising the RFL for not utilising a P&R principle when nobody knows what the performance criteria is!

I haven't read the whole thread but if you look at Toulouse's proposals with an open mind they probably have the best application of all the clubs outside of SL, especially over Celtic who are in a similar situation but much weaker. I can't see the rfl taking the chance though and it would be very difficult to remove a current SL team even if that would be for the good of the game.
For me it'll be the current 12 plus Salford and Widnes/Celtic.

That's garbage and you know it. Leigh spring to mind.

I think that sums the whole shambles up.

Don't recall this being stated quite as emphatically anywhere before, anyone else?: Quote The best performing National League club will be guaranteed admission to Super League, either at the expense of the worst performing club or by expanding the competition,And at the end of the three-year period, Wood says he expects further changes. "The best performing National League club will be guaranteed admission to Super League, either at the expense of the worst performing club or by expanding the competition," he said. '" from news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 138760.stm So for those moaning about NL1 clubs being left to die - clearly not!

Don't recall this being stated quite as emphatically anywhere before, anyone else?: Quote The best performing National League club will be guaranteed admission to Super League, either at the expense of the worst performing club or by expanding the competition,And at the end of the three-year period, Wood says he expects further changes. "The best performing National League club will be guaranteed admission to Super League, either at the expense of the worst performing club or by expanding the competition," he said. '" from news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 138760.stm So for those moaning about NL1 clubs being left to die - clearly not!

Leigh couldn't buy a win. I love the Leythers and going to Leigh, but they were woefully out of their depth.

The RFL are totally corrupt and have no interest in helping traditional RL clubs like Doncaster and Sheffield, instead concentrating on Johnny-come-latelies like teams based in Perpignan and Wales.

Richard Lewis is simply a terrible administrator. Under his command the RFL has gone from the fine profit-making institution he inherited from Rodney Walker into a loss-making joke riddled with inconsistency. Just look at the Hull FC/Challenge Cup debacle: why didn't he apply the rules? They would have kicked them out in football.

I think we'll see Toulouse and Celtic because the rugby league couldn't organise a soirée in a brasserie.

Quote just_browny="just_browny"The RFL are totally corrupt and have no interest in helping traditional RL clubs like Doncaster and Sheffield, instead concentrating on Johnny-come-latelies like teams based in Perpignan and Wales. Richard Lewis is simply a terrible administrator. Under his command the RFL has gone from the fine profit-making institution he inherited from Rodney Walker into a loss-making joke riddled with inconsistency. Just look at the Hull FC/Challenge Cup debacle: why didn't he apply the rules? They would have kicked them out in football. I think we'll see Toulouse and Celtic because the rugby league couldn't organise a soirée in a brasserie. '" Not sure if you're on the wind up but that is utter . In fact, the complete opposite is true. www.sportbusiness.com/news/16196 ... 006-profit news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_l ... 742379.stm

Quote just_browny="just_browny"The RFL are totally corrupt and have no interest in helping traditional RL clubs like Doncaster and Sheffield, instead concentrating on Johnny-come-latelies like teams based in Perpignan and Wales. Richard Lewis is simply a terrible administrator. Under his command the RFL has gone from the fine profit-making institution he inherited from Rodney Walker into a loss-making joke riddled with inconsistency. Just look at the Hull FC/Challenge Cup debacle: why didn't he apply the rules? They would have kicked them out in football. I think we'll see Toulouse and Celtic because the rugby league couldn't organise a soirée in a brasserie. '" Not sure if you're on the wind up but that is utter . In fact, the complete opposite is true. www.sportbusiness.com/news/16196 ... 006-profit news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_l ... 742379.stm