Guys either keep it on topic or this will go the same way as the other.

Sally's really reeled a few in here, excellent stuff.

Thanks Mass effect i stand corrected

By mixing top Aussies with high calibre local players, and doing well, like the Catalans.

That might not be an option for Crusaders as they don't have the money or the appeal to sign up top Aussies, and they don't have much local talent, so I sympathise with their situation however it points to them being a short lived SL franchise if that's the case.

Lesson for RFL - build on areas where there is already a good infrastructure for the next franchise, ie Toulouse, rather than wasting time where there is no potential.

Sally

I belive there is a 'hotbed' of Rugby League in a town called Widnes. I know its a dump and smells a bit but they so like their Rugby.

Agreed but Widnes need to have the finance and the infrastructure in place and show they have the potential to grow. They missed out to Celtic last time because of their shoddy financial management in the preceding years. A SL team in Widnes is likely to be able to support local players coming through because as you say they like their rugby, but they need to prove they are run properly before they are handed a SL licence again. Personally though I think there are too many teams in SL.