6th

Would it though, as that's probably about the same as finishing top 2 or 3 in French Elite and not too good for French Elite

You make a decent point but the proof of the pudding will be in the eating. Let's just give them a chance without all the usual anti-expansionist row. Afterall on this occasion it is not to the detriment of an English outfit.

It's to the detriment of 10 having to travel unnecessarily and to the detriment of the French League losing an established club and a lot of top players.

I'd far rather they'd kept them in France but said that a team making the French final can apply for SL

But it is going to cost a considerable amount of money that in my opinion should have been spent on the current NL clubs and the competition itself

I agree, possibly a French club in NL1 is a bit premature. However a second French club in SL in 2012 is about right (?) if development over there continues at the current rate. Therefore somewhere between now and then it would be worth investigating the option of a French club in NL1. I think a French club in NL1 could do alot of good for the French game and also for the cache of NL1. TO can afford to investigate this option, other French clubs could not.
So while things are not right/perfect now, they won't be for the next three years, and then the chance to try a french club in NL1 will have passed.

Sorry … how is the RFL subsidising clubs' travel costs for an expanded competition with an international element not money "pent on the current NL clubs and the competition itself"

My opinion is that the international element of NL 1 [ so no money being spent on NL 2 clubs ] will not help the current NL 1 clubs in any way , be that financially or the profile of the competition

The bulk of the money spent will be going to the french club and they will benifit much more than the current NL 1 clubs

My opinion , you disagree no problem

Too early to make a good prediction about how they're going to do - it's five months until NL1 (or whatever it will eventually be called) starts. The current squad looks pretty weak to me, but they have several months to make further signings. It's also a pretty young squad on the whole and they've already started training. Six months of pre-season training could see significant improvements in some of those players and they should certainly be very well-drilled, no need for the squad to 'gel' come March/April.