My info is that the argument went on into the final meeting of the panel this week - so nobody knew the answer before that, because there was no answer. For what it's worth, I reckon it has always been a question of two out of three:

Widnes - great tradition, suitable ground, dodgy financial history, but apparently now on an even keel.

Salford - strategic importance in Manchester connurbation, but at least two more seasons at The Willows.

Celtic Crusaders - genuine expansion, but are they ready?

I'm glad it's someone else's decision.

The announcement will be made at a Leeds hotel on Tuesday morning. The clubs involved won't be there, which is a bit of a shame from a theatrical point of view, but the tension will be in the air anyway.

Gasnier

So farewell then, Mark Gasnier. He's been flirting with the dark side for so long it's almost a relief to see him finally consummate the relationship.

Never liked him. Didn't like his manner, his permanent sneer, or the way his combination of speed, size, strength and sidestep always caught us cold. Typical of him that he would do all the promotional filming for the World Cup and then bugger off for the bigger dollar in union. great player but low character.