Rugby league: Two apply to Super League

GATESHEAD and Cardiff have joined Swansea in applying for Super League membership for next season.

The Rugby League revealed yesterday that Gateshead, a development area since 1993 who have been competing at Academy level since 1996, had put in their submission for a franchise based at the council-run International Stadium in the town.

The stadium has already hosted Charity Shield and international matches and will stage two matches during Super League's jaunt around the country in July. The League will want to see evidence that, alongside the excellent facilities, there is the finance in place to build a respectable side.

Cardiff will submit their official application today and will argue that their case is stronger than that of Swansea and that they meet all the criteria for membership. Decisions on the three bids, and any others, are expected in August.

The St Helens chief executive and coach, David Howes and Shaun McRae, have denied that they have been headhunted to lead a Swansea franchise.

"It's a rumour I have heard, but there has been no approach to either of us," Howes said.

Neither man would comment on suggestions that their positions at Saints had been undermined by the return of Eric Hughes - sacked as coach by Howes and replaced by McRae - to the club as operations manager.