This criteria could seriously cause problems for all the teams pushing for a licence, by the end of this season it could be that only 2 teams have met the criteria, but that would mean that next season teams will push harder to win NR Cup or get to grand final.
But this criteria is a black and white, yes/no situation if the RFL don't change it.

As a Fax fan it doesn't worry me too much but the general feeling is that the RFL want a French/Cumbria/North East team into SL.
I see a rule change coming.

andn why being a fax fan doesn't it worry you yet you mention it on here?

It doesn't worry me because with the current squad and backroom I see no reason why Fax will not meet the criteria this year.
And I mention it on here because I would like to see Fax, Leigh and Widnes all in the top flight of rugby league.
Expansion of rugby is fine but not at the cost of the teams and fans that made it the great game that it is today.
Which means if the french, the geordies and the blokes from the wind swept north west don't make a Grand Final etc I can see a rule change to try accommodate them in the next licence application

you lot are starting to sound like Hull KR fans of ten years ago every year was going to be their year, counting chickens etc... a season is a long way in RL.

Yes, a season is a long time in rugby league. Therefore everything that is being said at the moment is based on current squads and performances. Halifax are unbeaten in all competitions right now therefore their fans are rightly optimistic and confident.

That being said, Halifax are only one bad game away from being classed as pretenders, but right now they are the bookines favourite for both NR and Grand Final.
Its been a while since we had anything to shout about at the Shay, please just give us our 5 minutes of fame!!

from what i have seen of fax this season you do look like a very good side and will take some beating.

Through a season even the best team has a bad day, we went to Barrow on saturday, didn't play well at all, Barrow were strong but our tackling was woeful. We ground out a win, took 3 points and will move on.
Everyone at the Shay can sense that this is the best squad we have had in a long time. If we play at 100% on any given weekend we will outplay any team in this division. But we all know that 100% is rarely achieved and we will at some point play at 75% against a team that are playing their hearts out.

We meet Widnes on friday night in the cup and that could go either way but the league has to be the priority for both teams so what will the game plans be? Try stay injury free? Go for it and hope for a plumb home tie next round?

just take one game at a time mate and see what happens and good luck from a leyther but not when you play us.

Cheers mate and same to you. Fingers crossed the next 3 years could produce the most competitive rugby for a very long time in this division because there is a lot at stake.
One final question, has Ian Watson made a tackle for you this season and does he still kick his feet into the ground as he runs?
Ok thats 2 questions

he has had a lot of stick of some leythers but in the main he has pulled us through a few games and he does drag his feet

He is a good organiser and very good tactical kicker. He never set the place alight for us but still looked a good player. His weakest point has to be his tackling, no matter where he lines up in defence it is a mis-match. That running style he has is so funny.
You got Donlan back now too? Good running centre or winger.

I remember Watson playing for Swinton against us in a NRC preliminary round when Tony Benson was our coach. We lost.I remarked to my brothers he could play a bit.

He,s a bit slower now but there is nothing wrong with his tackling and now he is playing for us despite the slowness I am glad every time he is selected.