That is obvious even for RL otherwise why mention London and Catalans.
Looking at how London have been going and the state the club is in it's looks like the RFL have just thrown them under a bus although when you go on their site it seems their fans think asset stripping is going on anyway so it's not certain to be unwanted.

unless it's stated in writing clearly I'll wait and see. The RFL are a bunch of clowns so anything is possible

Purely hypothetically, but for example...

It has sounded for a while like patience is running thin with London. Also, I can't imagine they'd have killed licensing to save Bradford, only then to cut them adrift.

Tbh, from a selfish pov I'd prefer your scenario. A bad season with form and injuries and we could be near the bottom. On a licensing approach, we got a 'B' last time and the new North Stand is now almost complete - as long as our board say they'll keep us afloat, we're fine and if they didn't we'd be stuffed anyway (see also: most other SL clubs).

I think the London experiment has failed and unless they improve vastly for next season they will be bottom 2 so certain to go 'down' assuming we just introduce relegation. The other place will be interesting as Salford will take major steps next year and I expect them to be a much better side.

If they cherry picked the first 12 clubs it would be very interesting to see if they decided to give London one last go, in all honesty I think if they did it would be at the expense of Cas or Wakey

The talk of Toulouse balances the equation. Admittedly I haven't actually read all the quotes/statements, so not sure if the Toulouse talk is all from the expansionists.

Anyway, so working on the theory that the two lowest ranked sides are relegated - I assume most (if not all) of the threatened clubs will be spending as close to the cap as possible next year to maximise their chances of finishing 12th of above. More than likely stretching (or directing all) their budgets in order to do so. Making a complete shambles of the last few years and the net outcome that franchising was supposed to bring.

The two sides who unfortunately are relegated what future will one or both of them have? Half of the sides in the top division are hardly financially sound now with their share of the Sky pot. The game is frepped. There's just not enough cash/interest in the game to continually subsidise the lesser sides. No radical or old league style will change this. The RFL couldn't even find a title sponsor for it's marquee product after giving it away the previous year.

I think 'Meh' sums it all up.

It does and I've been saying it for a while now.

Salford, poor crowds and poor performances, London poor crowds, poor team no home in all likelihood so both those are in the wrong section Yes Salfords new owner is minted but wont solve poor crowds and short term wont solve poor performances (my opinion) and long term wont solve their money worries (again my belief)

Money talks - Salford will buy a new team and will spend to the cap next year . Noble is a proven coach and I suspect they will alot further up the table. The RFL are dumb but not dumb enough to kick Dr Kashcow's money out of SL. London is a failure but has been for years , maybe like has been suggeted the RFL have had enough, maybe not.

Proven some years ago, again just an opinion but im just not convinced at all, and who is going to roll up to watch them, Nobles brand of rugby is not wonderful viewing and at best they will be mid table. So how long will the new money stay around? as i say maybe he will ignite super league i just cant see it

So, now that stadia criteria is completely ditched, we can plough 50K+ per year into a mortgage for a stand we really didn't have to build. Meanwhile our competitors down the M62 at Wakey & Cas can live in their Victorian facilities and plough the same 50K+ into their teams.

That seems fair...

The thought had crossed my mind, particularly with next season in mind when we're fairly certain to be operating under the cap. That fifty large might have been enough to secure a half back that may well end up going to another club.

Best to be pragmatic and just be glad for the improved facilities we'll have, hasn't done Leigh and 'Fax a whole lot of good lately though.

promotion and relegation doesn't necessarily mean any old team can be promoted. Look at the Premier League rules in football and Union were clubs have to have a facility of sufficient standard. I think HKR's investment will prove to be money well spent.