RFL’s tough licence stance will remove immunity against expulsion

THE Rugby Football League will warn clubs awarded a Super League licence tomorrow that they risk having it revoked on an annual basis if they do not achieve higher standards.

Whereas the first round of licence agreements saw clubs enjoy a three-year period of safety, the Yorkshire Post understands the governing body are keen to get tough with those who are showing little sign of progression during the next cycle.

The RFL will announce at Old Trafford tomorrow morning which 13 clubs will join Widnes Vikings – the Championship club who secured their place in March – in Super League for 2012-2014 with Wakefield Trinity Wildcats the likeliest to be demoted.

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However, for those who are successful, their inclusion will no longer be guaranteed.

For instance, a club which enters administration or fails to deliver tangible proof of improving their stadium facility, could see their licence over-turned at the end of any of the next three seasons if there is a suitable candidate to emerge in their place from the Championship.

The hard-line policy, in part fuelled by some elite clubs who feel others are not pulling their weight in raising Super League standards or adding value to the competition, will serve as a warning to those feeling they can rest on their laurels throughout the majority of the next three years.

However, it was also act as an incentive to those in the lower division, such as Featherstone Rovers and Halifax, who may previously have thought promotion was impossible again until 2014.

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It will please critics of the licence system who have argued about the worthiness of clubs such as Wakefield and the much-maligned Welsh outfit Crusaders, who have both fallen into administration since being awarded their spots in 2008.

It will also add pressure on Harlequins, who have continually struggled to attract crowds in the capital, and Castleford who, like Wakefield, have yet to see a brick laid at the sites earmarked for new grounds under the terms of their last licence award.

RFL chairman Richard Lewis will make a live televised address in Manchester at 11am to reveal the clubs their independent board have decided will make up Super League next season onwards and also highlight their more stringent approach to policing the process.

In the last round of licensing, clubs were initially assessed on five key areas including finance, facilities and playing strength, and awarded points on reaching minimum standards.

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However, this time, they will be assessed against A Grade criteria, principally, 5,000 season ticket holders, audited turnover of at least £4m and no insolvency event between 2008 and 2010.

In the future, the RFL will be keen to see more A grades secured (there are currently just three) and B rather than C as they bid to continue raising standards and that is something which will be pressed upon those clubs which gain entry on the lower marks.

Halifax – who along with Barrow missed out to Widnes four months ago – have met minimum standards and their application was assessed alongside those of the existing 14 Super League clubs.

In theory, if deemed to be stronger than that of two other clubs, Halifax will be awarded a licence and two Super League clubs will not have their licences renewed tomorrow although it remains likely just one will be demoted.

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Meanwhile, Leeds Rhinos and Castleford Tigers will play each other for a place in the Carnegie Challenge Cup final at Wembley.

Leeds came from 16-6 down at half-time to win 38-22 in their quarter-final at Hull FC yesterday, captain Kevin Sinfield kicking seven goals to take him five past Lewis Jones’s club record of 1,244 set in 1964.

“I’m delighted to get the record,” he said.

“Lewis Jones is a legend at the club and what he achieved in his time there was remarkable. To be mentioned in the same breath just makes me very proud and it probably won’t sink in until I finish playing.”

Castleford upset Huddersfield Giants 22-18 yesterday so will reach Wembley for the first time since 1992 if they can overcome Leeds on Sunday, August 7 with Doncaster a likely venue.

Hull KR were knocked out in convincing fashion yesterday, falling to a 54-6 loss against St Helens who will face arch-rivals Wigan Warriors in the other semi-final schemed in for Saturday, August 6.