[1] The RFL stated that clubs applying to compete in Super League XIV in 2009 would be assessed by criteria in four areas (stadium facilities, finance and business performance, commercial and marketing and playing strength, including junior production and development) with the final evaluations and decisions being taken by the RFL's board of directors.

"The aim is that clubs direct some of their resources into medium-term development rather than the short-term panic of trying to hire a player, invariably from overseas, who will make the difference against relegation but leave without any long-term legacy," said the RFL's Wood.

[6] The RFL have stated their belief that the benefits of licensing would grow the collective business strength of Super League (Europe) Limited.

"[7] Richard Lewis said he expected that "licensing will galvanise the sport, stimulating clubs into addressing the issues of facility improvements, spectator comfort and the production of more players".

In recent seasons and leading up to the submission deadline, several clubs submitted 'dummy' applications to the RFL - on which they received advice and feedback - in preparation for their official one.

That means at least eight members of a first-team squad of 25 should be discovered, trained and developed in the team's home country (United Kingdom or France).

[14] The 19 applicant clubs met with the RFL's board of directors at 0945 BST Tuesday 22 July 2008 to be told the outcome of their bids for licences.

[5] Following the announcement of which clubs had successfully obtained a licence to compete in Super League, the RFL released a summary of their assessment of each applicant.

[17] The Catalans' home ground, Stade Gilbert Brutus in Perpignan, was considered to be a "sound functional stadium" with further development planned for the year ahead.

[17] Attendances and merchandising at the club were judged to have improved, as expected, over the three years since the Catalans' entry to Super League, from a low starting point.

[17] It was noted that the team were achieving positive match results and that more French trained players had been introduced, but that club needed to improve its youth development programme.

[17] The RFL felt that the commercial success of the club and an increased player pool proved a vindication of the decision to introduce a French team to the competition.

[17] Castleford had produced a "holistic" commercial plan, having a record of achievement in this area, and had enjoyed strong support previously when the club had been relegated from Super League.

[17] The club's Brewery Field home ground was considered to be "limited and old fashioned" though well maintained and there was a commitment to improve the facilities immediately.

[17] The RFL noted that independent market research had found support for Super League in South Wales, but acknowledged that only reality would provide full testing.

[17] The club has scholarship and academy team development at an early stage but the RFL noted playing infrastructure was "very good in places".

[17] The Chris Moyles Stadium in Post Office Road was assessed as being well maintained but in need of further investment to meet Super League minimum standards.

[17] Harlequins' home ground, The Stoop, had all-round good facilities and it is hoped stability at this stadium will lead to an increase in attendance as the club attempts to attract the population within their "catchment area" and utilise a "robust" community programme.

[17] The assessors considered that further evidence of player performance strategies would have been useful but that this area had improved since the club was promoted to Super League.

[17] The club had shown evidence of investment in youth production, though this was judged to need improvement to achieve Super League standards.

[17] The club was considered to have a "commendable commitment" to the production of new players but there was a concern regarding limited numbers of Super League standard talent in the area.

[17] The club's application suffered from its recent financial history, insolvency in October 2007, and the new company not being established long despite showing early progress.

[24] In July 2009, the RFL wrote to five Super League clubs to remind them of the commitments they made regarding improvement of their stadium facilities under the licensing agreement.

[25] Castleford, Celtic Crusaders, Wakefield, St Helens and Salford were warned that their continued presence in Super League after the next round of licensing is in jeopardy.

[24][25] An RFL statement said, "[They] have been informed that if plans to build new stadiums or significantly improve their home venues are not sufficiently advanced by 2011, they may not satisfy the full criteria for the next period of licensing".

"[24] In 2009, at an end-of-season briefing given by the RFL's executive chairman, Richard Lewis, expressed his disappointment at the attendance figures for Harlequins home games.

[26] In 2008, the season leading up to the issuance of licences, Harlequin's highest attendance was 4,378 when Leeds Rhinos played the club as reigning champions, Lewis said "they haven't kicked on like we thought they would".

[24][25] RFL Chief Executive Nigel Wood sought to allay fears that Super League could become a 'closed shop' in the absence of relegation.

[6] No upper limit on the number of Super League licences awarded has been set by the RFL, the option remains open to expand again in the future.

The RFL's plan for international success, which was the result of an inquiry into England's poor performance at the 2008 World Cup, states an intention to work with clubs to limit the number of games top players can take part in.