Try telling Widnes fans that - it's happened twice to them!!

Not in a franchise situation though.



Plus I think the RFL are more incompetent now than they were back then.

Do we really think that the current superleague clubs are guarenteed a place? That isn't the communication coming from Red Hall. It's 19 into 14 isn't it? Is it possible that Widnes, Leigh and Salford could all get in?

It will all hinge on how INDEPENDENT the rfl's independent panel is if you get my drift !

Cas to go out for me, then Salford, Weirdness and Celtic, although i disagree with Celtic getting a franchise, i think the RFL are so keen on expansion, that this will happen. Feel sorry for Leigh though, dont think they will get one and it would be good to more weight to re-addressing the yorkshire-lancashire balance in the league.

I'd rather go to Castleford than to Leigh.

FORMER South Sydney coach Shaun "Bomber" McRae will next week launch a fresh round of multi-million-dollar raids on the NRL's already depleted playing stocks.



The Daily Telegraph can reveal up to 30 of the NRL's brightest stars will be targets next week when the English Super League announces an expanded competition that will include two new teams for 2009.



The teams likely to be called up into the new-look Super League include [size=150McRae's Salford Reds and Welsh team the Celtic Crusaders[/size.



A staggering 88 former NRL players already play in the Super League and leading player manager Steve Gillis last night warned another 30 could be on the way.



"There is no doubt more talent will be lost," Gillis said.



"Most of the clubs in contention have been in contact with Australian agents for some time. They have made their primary targets very clear and have many names pencilled in.



"I expect when the decision comes down next Tuesday at least a dozen signings will be announced within 12 hours."



It is believed Neville Costigan, Luke Covell, Jeremy Smith, Ben Rogers and Steve Menzies head the NRL hit-list.



Australian rugby league has already been rocked by the looming departures of Mark Gasnier, Danny Buderus, Brett Hodgson and Michael Crocker.



Eels coach Michael Hagan admitted he had serious fears for the future of the NRL, declaring depth was becoming a major concern.



"It is a big concern," Hagan said.



"Of course depth is a problem. Even with us, and we have had a pretty good year with injuries. But we have hit a bit of a hurdle this week.



"Some clubs have been struggling all year with it."



Reserve grade has been axed this year and Hagan said player from the Under-20s competition were not ready for the rigours of first grade.



"Even the NYC program, which we are all talking about with players being promoted, it is yet to be seen how many games they can handle," Hagan said.



"The whole week-in week-out thing really takes it out of you. I reckon you have to play about 50 NRL games before you get your head around it all.



"We are also losing some of our best young blokes to the Super League. I think rugby union is also enticing some.



"That is the other danger."



Hagan is bracing himself for his stars to be targeted.



"Krisnan Inu and Jarryd Hayne are here for a couple of years but we have to be mindful of how we are going to keep them," he said.



"I have no doubt they will be targeted."



Former Eel Tim Smith is expected to make his debut for UK powerhouse club Wigan next week.

In an ideal world, Cas and Wakey will be dropped leaving ten teams and four places. The fourteen team SLIV will look like;



Bradford Bulls

Catalan Dragons

Celtic Crusaders

Huddersfield Giants

Harlequins RL

Hull FC

Hull KR

Leeds Rhinos

Leigh Centurions

Salford City Reds

St Helens

Warrington Wolves

Widnes Vikings

Wigan Warriors



Unfortunately, Wakefield's Challenge Cup achievements this year will no doubt prevent this from happening. In which case, Celtic will (and probably should) be dropped from the above list.

Crimea?

Well perhaps I should say that again. I would rather go to places on the way to Cas.

The stadia point is a big one and, in particular, how lenient they're prepared to be on that. My guess is that they'll be flexible at this stage but that 'borderline' clubs will need to have the stadiums built or on the way in a physical sense by the time the next round of franchise applications are due. On that basis, I'd imagine Cas and Wakefield will get in.

Spot on

Thought the had fallen out of cas' venture this week, some mention about the construction company pulling out and the area chosen was prone to floodings (its in yorkshire, HELLO!)