But you can't do that fairly, Dave. As I've pointed out before, no NL side is going to get the 10k attendance point, for example, or the $4m turnover point. I think it's fair that those two criteria have been reduced to 2.5k and £1m, respectively. The other criteria are broadly similar anyway - stadium, youth setup, financial stability etc. Playing strength is covered by the requirement for a final appearance (you can't expect a Championship club to compete with an SL club).

If we took your system on board, no Championship club would [iever[/i get promotion, and SL would become a closed shop.

The NRL works that way. The only time new clubs come in ius when the league is expanded. What we want is a higher standard all round and by putting the bar as high as posible it will will encourage NL clubs to get better. Whether that's realistic to expect or not is another matter

I don't think it is realistic. Without the threat of being moved out of SL, I don't believe the likes of Salford, Wakey, Cas (and possibly even Saints) would even be thinking about new stadia, for example.

What I'm saying is that the threat of relegation can only come if NL clubs sort themselves out, put a strong case forward for a license and give the NRL a decision to make. That's what the franchise system is supposed to do. If clubs are resting on their laurels because there's no threat of relegation, the NL clubs must take a share of the blame

I don't have a problem with that. Who judges whether Championship clubs have reached the bar though? Thankfully - not the fans (or some fans on here) of current borderline SL clubs because very few of them will admit that Widnes are better placed than they themselves currently are. The RFL know differently and will take that decision in March. I'd prefer P&R - just from a sporting principle and i accept franchising should steady past turbulence. I just wished the whole thing wasn't so vague and messy.

Salford wont be demoted, fact. They've signed some decent players, they've competed against the top teams, okay they've had their batterings, and their new stadium is actually being built. Much Further down the line than either wakey or cas.

Quins wont get demoted simply because of the whole rugby league expansion.

For me its between Wakey and Cas, I just hope that we could bring two NL teams up so that we could have a league of 16, so neither would have to go down. Wakey and Cas are having to put a lot of signings on hold, as they need to pour as much money as they can into their stadiums, much like salford have done.

I cant see both stadiums being near completion or even being close to being built before next year. In all honesty i think if both Cas and Wakey are to stay up, they both will have to play under the same roof, or even under the same name.

mate of mine who is a leigh fan reckons its not as cut and dry - between widnes and toulouse apparently. i was surpised by toulouse but apparently they are eitehr partially or fully exempt from the checklist/scoring system thing

Both clubs have already come out and said that they won't even entertain the idea of a groundshare

They have been trying to expand in London since the 1930's and it still hasn't worked. Wigan Highfield became London Highfield. IIRC there was another club in London in the 30's .

I would be very disappointed if another expansion club was brought in so soon. I'm generally in favour of the expansion idea, but we need to allow Crusaders to get established first.

If it was just about the stadia, then Leigh and Widnes would be in SL, and Bradford and Leeds would drop out. No covered away stand, poor toilets, poor food and drink outlets that don't cater for big crowds. Leeds should offer so much more as a top team.

I think there is a very simple solution. Force Wakey n Cas to ground share or merge or kick 'em both out as their councils have (in as many words) said there will NOT be 2 stadiums permitted for construction. I think a "West Yorkshire Wildcats" or similar would be a good idea as most of the players that there isn't room for in the new team will be picked up by the new entrants or other SL teams such as Salford, Quins and Crusaders.

Then the new team would be a simple one. The only team which currently qualifies is: Widnes; so get them in and then give the expansion teams their last 3 years, see where it goes and if it suffices then keep them in. IMO if they hadnt improved after their move to the North of Wales I would have been saying kick Crusaders out simply for the fact they're only a very slight expansion on Widnes now but as it stands they have more rights to a place than Catalans and Salford (performances) at the minute.

Fortunately, performances are only a small part of the criteria.

Imagine us being forced to merge with the Skints......Or Dire with Widnes....Or the Whino's with Bradford......Or Hull FC and HKR....And i think you will answer your own question!