OFFICIALS at the Rugby Football League have refused to confirm whether a radical shake-up of the game is in the pipeline.
Representatives of the 14 Super League clubs were this week given an update on the policy review being carried out by RFL chief executive Nigel Wood as part of the recommendations of last year's Watkins Report.
Among the items up for discussion were changes to the licensing system and a possible return of automatic promotion and relegation.
Also under consideration is a reduction in the number of Super League teams from 14 to 12 or a new split league of 10 or 12 teams in each division.
No changes can be made before the end of the current licensing period, which runs to the end of 2014.
However, it is believed that the way Super League is put together could be changed massively in a bid to stop the player exodus to the cash-rich NRL.
With the focus now on keeping the brightest young British players on these shores, the proposed structure could involve a two-tier Super League with promotion and relegation.
The idea is understood to involve the two bottom teams being relegated from Super League at the end of 2014, regardless of which teams they are.
Three teams could be relegated if the clubs decide they want Toulouse in the competition in 2015, with a TV deal possibly on the table from French TV station BeIn Sport.
Two divisions of 12 sides would then be created, with each side playing each other once (eleven games) in the first half of the season.
But the league would then split into three sections midway through the season, meaning there were three divisions of eight teams in the second half of the campaign. They would depend on the finishing places in the first half of the season.
The bottom four Super League 1 clubs would be in with the top four Super League 2 clubs. Those teams would then play each other at home and away (14 games) in the second half of the season.
The top four clubs in the second tier, at the end of that season, would then return to Super League 1 for 2016, before the whole process began again midway through that season.
It is believed the format would see a return to the six-team play-off structure previously employed.
As it stands, the RFL are trying to keep their ideas under wraps until a firm proposal is put forward and agreed upon by its member clubs.
However, an RFL spokesman said: "Chief executive Nigel Wood continues to make progress on the RFL's policy review which will shape the future of the sport in the years ahead.
"The review includes a number of exciting ideas for the structure of the sport and the RFL is currently consulting with the Super League and Championships clubs and the community game on all aspects of the process ahead of publishing the proposals.
"The consultation process is expected to continue through summer with any recommendations being voted upon later in the year."
The current licensing system, which was introduced in 2009, was meant to enable Super League clubs to plan for the long-term in the knowledge that their top-flight status was guaranteed for at least three years.
However, with several clubs struggling financially and fears that Super league has been watered down by having 14 teams in it, there has been a ground-swell of support for a return to promotion and relegation.
Wood said: "The consultation process so far has been very successful with positive contributions from everyone involved.
"What is apparent from our work to date is that all parts of rugby league want to see an integrated solution that ensures the vibrant future for the whole of the game."
