Featherstone Rovers, Bradford Bulls, York City Knights ad Halifax in running for 12th Super League spot

York City Knights, Featherstone Rovers, Halifax and Bradford Bulls qualify to apply under criteria confirmed yesterday by the Rugby Football League (RFL) and Super League Europe (SLE).

Top-flight clubs last week voted not to readmit Toronto, who withdrew from this year’s competition in July, leaving a vacancy for 2021.

The governing bodies say applications will be limited to clubs who were in Super League or finished in the top-six of the Championship in either of the past two seasons.

York were promoted from League One at the end of 2018 and finished third last year.

Rovers were fifth in both seasons, reaching the 2019 Championship Grand Final and Halifax qualify through a fourth place finish two seasons ago.

Bradford, having been promoted to the Championship two years ago, scrape in courtesy of sixth place in 2019.

A panel drawn up to assess applications will be chaired by Conservative peer Lord Jonathan Caine, vice-chair of rugby league’s All-Party Parliamentary Group and also includes three members from each of the RFL and SLE.

The full application process – and other criteria against which bids will be assessed – will be distributed to clubs and published tomorrow.

The deadline for applications is the morning of Monday, November 30.

A Super League statement said: “The RFL and SLE are conscious of the limited period of time for the preparation of applications, but equally aware that the successful club will need time to prepare for the 2021 season.

“The application criteria will be aligned, where possible, with information and documentation already held by the RFL, or which applicant clubs should already have in existence.

“A decision is scheduled to be made by Wednesday December 16, although that deadline could be extended in specific circumstances.”

The next Super League season is expected to begin in March 2021.

The statement added: “A number of initial criteria for applicants have been agreed, including that the club must have been in the Betfred Super League, or have finished in the top six of the Betfred Championship, in either 2018 or 2019.”

Toulouse Olympique, London Broncos and Leigh Centurions are also expected to apply.

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