The Bridgend-based Crusaders will join the 12 existing Super League clubs and Salford Reds in an expanded competition next season after securing one of the 14 coveted three-year licences that guarantee the holders a top-flight place until at least the end of
2011.

Each of the clubs was awarded a licence after an exhaustive analysis by the Rugby Football League of their strengths and weaknesses on and off the field, a process which meant disappointment for five other clubs, including Halifax and Featherstone Rovers.

Lewis, the RFL's executive chairman, said the decision to scrap automatic promotion and relegation and implement a licensing system maintained the sport's reputation for innovation and would bring massive benefits.

"A three-year licence provides an environment whereby clubs will be able to look long term, giving them a sounder base to invest off the field as well as on it," said Lewis.

"This will lead to improvements in stadiums, training facilities and club management as well as the production of junior players who will be given greater opportunity to play first-team rugby."

Lewis said the task of identifying the 14 strongest applications from the 19 submitted had proved tougher than the RFL board expected, a situation which reflected well on the clubs.

"It shows the strength of the sport, offers proof that the clubs are growing, are confident about the future and can put together very persuasive business plans."

The 14 clubs will be awarded a licence in one of three grades,
A, B and C, details of which will be announced over the next 48 hours after the RFL have outlined their reasons to the clubs themselves.

Few of the 12 Super League clubs met all the ideal criteria with the likes of Wakefield, Castleford, St Helens and Salford all falling down on their grounds, which were described as "tired" or "old fashioned" by the RFL.

All plan to move into new stadiums, but the RFL expressed concern that Wakefield's plans were "not as far advanced" as they could be, especially as the Wildcats do not appear to have made alternative arrangements should the stadium not be ready by their stated dateline of 2010.

The RFL also commented that although they have invested in the first team, Huddersfield need to work on their scholarship and Academy schemes. The quality of Harlequins' juniors was raised as an area of concern, as was Bradford's "slight reliance" on overseas players.

However, Nigel Wood, the RFL's chief executive, insisted that issuing licences to clubs on the basis that they intended to build new stadiums or tackle inherent development and recruitment deficiencies should not be seen as a leap of faith by the sport's governing body.

"When Catalans Dragons were admitted to Super League three years ago their stadium was not yet ready and, as UTC, they were playing in front of 1,500 people," said Wood. "They had a crowd of almost 10,000 last Saturday, the ground has come on in leaps and bounds and their business is growing. That shows what can be achieved over a three-year period."

Lewis said the knowledge there were no guarantees come 2011 would provide the spur for all clubs to address the areas which had been highlighted as weak, especially for the ones with stadium plans that remain sketchy.

The decision to give a licence to Celtic Crusaders did not go down well with Leigh, who claimed the RFL should "hang their heads in shame" for admitting a team which features 10 overseas players because of their development status.

That reliance on Australians and New Zealanders is likely to continue in 2009, but Wood believes the Crusaders are better placed than most clubs to tap into local talent because of the interest in league in Wales.

"Their juniors have been sweeping all before them in the Conference and the club are confident that over the next three years the production line of Welsh talent will improve," said Wood. "Celtic are also confident they will start to attract players from union because their licence gives those players a defined career path in rugby league."

Any club deemed to be consistently failing in key areas during the term of their licence could still find themselves removed from Super League, but Lewis has no doubts the precious nature of the licences will ensure all 14 clubs, and those which aspire to make the step up from National One in 2012, grow from strength to strength.

"It is important everybody understands that this is not the end, it's the beginning because every club knows the pressure is now on for them to deliver."



What the big shake-up means

The 14 clubs who will compete in Super League from 2009 to 2011 are: Bradford Bulls, Castleford Tigers, Catalans Dragons, Celtic Crusaders, Harlequins, Huddersfield Giants, Hull, Hull Kingston Rovers, Leeds Rhinos, Salford Reds, St Helens, Wakefield Trinity, Warrington Wolves, Wigan Warriors.

The five clubs who failed to secure a three-year Super League licence were: Featherstone Rovers, Halifax, Leigh Centurions, Toulouse Olympique, Widnes Vikings.

From 2009 the Super League title will be decided by an expanded eight-team end-of-season play-off.

Three teams will be promoted from National Two at the end of this season to replace Celtic Crusaders and Salford. The top two teams in National Two will be promoted automatically with the third spot decided by a play-off. The bottom-placed team in National One will be relegated.

Toulouse Olympique could enter National League within the next two years. The RFL are also considering applications from other new clubs.

Super League could expand to a 16-team competition in 2012, when all the 14 clubs will have to apply to have their licence renewed.