Did Catalans and Quins get the same amount of bitching as we're getting now?

If not, why have a go at US for getting LESS preferential treatment? (I don't remember Cats and Quins fighting up from NL2)

And if so, then why complain when the RFL want to extend the game beyond a 20 mile strip either side of the M62?

Either you WANT to expand your game, or you want to keep it a bizarre local quirk like cheese rolling, bog snorkelling and pushing donkeys from belltowers.

Choose which.

Excellent post. Not convinced about the "broadcasting partners" bit, but I have no doubts whatsoever that we were all after a single franchise spot whilst one was going to be awarded to either Toulouse or Celtic. FWIW, I said as soon as we went into administration we wouldn't get a licence and the RFL should have been honest and told us so from the beginning!

The general concensus around our way is that Fev will never get into SL while Cas and Wakey are in because of the proximity of the three clubs. Assuming that both clubs get new grounds or at least share one. What is your thoughts on Widnes getting into SL bearing in mind that Wire, Saints and Widnes are in even nearer proximity than the three Yorks sides.

I think deep down the RFL believe there are too many Yorkshire sides and would like to get rid of either Wakefield or Castleford. Tony Rea used to talk about that a lot. However, their problem is that to throw out a club on the grounds of location would be illegal as it falls foul of competitions law (there is a strong case for saying licences do anyway).

I feel given the set up in Widnes, if we manage to win the GF and the NRC either this year or next, the pressure on the RFL to put us in will be too strong to resist (probably at the expense of Wakefield or Salford). It will not change my opinion one iota. I really believe the RFL have this seriously wrong.

I should point out that I would rather Widnes be competitive in the league they are in than struggle. We aren't even a credible Championship conternder at the moment