This point has been made before. How can you kick a team out if they score as well as other SL teams? I mean it is quite possible for several sides, even though at the bottom end of the table, to meet all the same criteria equally well (or badly!). So how do you pick one to be replaced by a NL1 side?

Fortunately for the the RFL I think they will be able to deem Wakefield not to have done enough to score as highly as any other SL side despite where they finish in the league due to stadium concerns so the RFL can keep its promise.

Making a promise a side will go down and one will come up regardless when you run a franchise system is utterly stupid because unless you have a crystal ball you don't know if any NL1 side will be up too it or if any SL side will deserve to lose it's franchise.

In theory over time all SL sides will be good franchisees so who goes then if a similar promise is made? The side finishing bottom? That would be back to promotion and relegation but only happening once every three years. That still would not mean the side coming up was fit to do so.

As it happens I read somewhere the next round of franchises after this won't be judged on objective criteria at all and SL clubs won't get A, B or C grades. They will decide who goes down subjectively. So if your face doesn't fit, out you go and hello Toulouse.

Dave

If you compare Salford, Wakefield and Castleford:

Salford appear the weakest on League Position (average last 3 seasons) worse attendances, and probably worse ground........Wakefield are the strongest on League position. So the RFL will be gunning for Wakefield then ???

Likewise, when the boot is on the other foot as Championship sides score the same 'grading' as existing Super League clubs. The whole thing is a farce, tailored to suit the RFL's policy at the time. Note that "overseas clubs may be invited to apply" regardless of "ticking the box" according to an amendment to one of the RFL's by-laws, so don't be surprised to see Toulouse end up getting a licence....

Isn't it a 10k stadium? As that is all the LSV is.

There are two different sets of criteria for existing SL clubs and Championship clubs. Yes, SL clubs get a point for a 12k+ stadium, but Championship clubs only need a 10k one to apply (along with the other ones, such as getting to their GF or winning the NR)

I will believe the Salford, Castleford and Wakefiled new grounds when I see them. They have had several years to get things moving and so far they haven't. There is alot of desperate marketing going on from these clubs in a last ditch attempt to influence the RFL. The decision needs to be made on what is in place at the time and not on a promise of a new ground. They have had their opportunity and so far not come up to the required standard.