The council will back down and allow them to expand the stadium.

Agreed.

I was amused to see though that Newcastle, Sale and Leeds's combined average attendance is less than that of Leicester's, and with expansion probably less than that of Northampton's as well.

And what is the connection between these 3 clubs,they are all northern towns,cities.
They say union is a national sport,if you class as south as Leicester as national then maybe yeah.

Exactly!

Now, we're accused of being only around the M62, the exceptions (in Super League) being Quins and Crusaders.

If you look at the Welsh sides and most of the Aviva Prem, almost every team is within a thirty minute drive of the M4 at most. The exceptions being the poorly-supported Northern teams, Exeter (who are still West Country), and Leicester and Northampton (who are the only major union teams in their area- Cov went bust). I make it 50% of Aviva Prem teams at that level along the M4- it would have been higher if Bristol had come up rather than Exeter.

Union is the Southern favourite, League the Northern. Always has been.

Unfortunately for us, Southern popularity is bigger than Northern popularity.

It's more than just popularity. Almost every town of any size in the south has a long-established rugby (union) club, so the game is built into the local community.

And the North.

Speaking of union in the North, only 5k at Newcastle last night.

[url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/brian-viner-league-finally-scores-a-moral-victory-over-union-in-the-ageold-battle-of-the-oval-ball-2076282.htmlLeague finally scores a moral victory over union in the age-old battle of the oval ball[/url

They are going to go bust very soon,along with a few other union clubs,can't wait.

What do you base that bold statement on?

None,just hoping that's all.

Perpignan union side USAP to play at the Camp Nou in March.
Watch them (and the French RU) show Catalans how to market a game in Barcelona.

There are more union clubs in the north of england than rugby league clubs.