• RFL will listen to top-flight sides who want to move their franchise • Interest has been expressed from cities in England and overseas

Super League clubs could move out of their traditional northern heartland and head south to Bristol – as well as to Newcastle and Coventry – and even abroad after the Rugby Football League said it would listen to top-flight sides if they were seeking to relocate.

A number of Super League sides have been alerted to expressions of interest from cities in both England and abroad who want to inherit an existing top-flight franchise. The RFL is receptive to the idea and has told clubs they can apply to move their franchise to a different city should they wish. While no clubs have yet lodged firm interest in doing so, off-field issues mean the news has interested some sides.

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The sport’s two newest ventures, Toronto and Toulouse, have both started at the bottom of the domestic league structure in League 1, with Toulouse subsequently gaining promotion to the Championship in their inaugural season last year. Toronto began their league campaign with a 76-0 win against London Skolars on Saturday. But under this deal a city would obtain an existing Super League club as opposed to setting up a new one and having to progress through the divisions.

A number of factors have made the idea appealing to clubs. Some leading CEOs have spoken behind closed doors about the impact of the demise of the former Super League champions, Bradford Bulls – who were placed into liquidation earlier this year – and how it can be avoided again.

Some clubs are also in dispute with their local councils about the future of rugby league in their area and, in light of this, the American model of moving a franchise from one area to a city with minimal rugby league presence at present to try to increase the sport’s, and their own, profile is attractive.

Crucially the success of Wasps’ move from London to Coventry has also been highlighted as another positive. The RFL has made increased efforts in recent years to establish a presence in areas such as Newcastle and Coventry; the former is the host of Super League’s Magic Weekend, while Coventry – which already has a League 1 side – held the Four Nations double-header last autumn.