Celtic Crusaders and Salford City Reds will play in a new-look Super League next season, but Widnes have missed out, as has French club Toulouse, along with Leigh, Halifax and Featherstone from the National League,on one of the 14 licences up for grabs.

The Crusaders, based in Bridgend, and Salford join the existing 12 clubs in an expanded competition, which was unveiled by the Rugby Football League. The licences will run until 2011, with no relegation during that period. Salford are currently top of National League One, with the Crusaders, who are based in Brigend, third.

The inclusion of Welsh side Crusaders means the RFL match one of its stated aims in its 2005-2008 strategy, to expand the borders of the game. A five-man RFL panel assessed the 19 applications based on four key criteria: stadium facilities, finance and business performance, commercial and marketing, and playing strength, including junior player production development. The unsuccessful clubs can reapply for 2012-2014 licences and the RFL could decide to expand the Super League again then.