By Jon Wilkin
St Helens and England forward
The game of rugby league will reach one of the most pivotal moments in its history on Tuesday when the Rugby Football League announces which 14 clubs have been awarded Super League licences for the next three seasons.
At first, I was sceptical about the concept of franchising and the idea of Super League being a closed shop for a number of years.
I didn't think it was necessarily right that the clubs who are prominent now should be the ones to take the game forward.
After all, many clubs no longer in the top flight have contributed to the game's success down the years and deserve another chance at competing at the highest level.
But I've changed my mind after witnessing the speed at which the sport has developed - on and off the field - in the National Leagues over the last two years.
I recently attended the Halifax v Leigh game and was impressed at how both clubs are now being operated.
In my view, standards have improved dramatically as clubs - not just Halifax and Leigh - try to put themselves in the frame for one of those licences or at least make sure they avoid falling even further off the pace.
The quality of players and coaching has certainly improved beyond all recognition since Ade Gardner and I used to get knocked around playing for Barrow and Hull KR respectively.
The RFL has got a difficult decision on its hands narrowing down 19 applications to 14, and there will no doubt be a few sleepless nights for some of the clubs involved ahead of Tuesday's announcement.
One thing clubs must address if they are going to win a licence is the condition of their stadium and the facilities it offers.
That's the one area where St Helens are lagging behind the rest.
Knowsley Road is an amazing venue full of atmosphere (it's small), character (it has holes and is missing bits) and steeped in history (it's old).
Admittedly, it holds plenty of memories, but we need to move on.
And now that the club has received planning permission for a new ground, we will go from strength to strength.
I am sure that pieces of the old stadium will go missing as fans seek memorabilia.
I have set my heart on the seats that my parents and family sit in when they come and watch me play. I'm planned to turn them into a bench for my garden.
As for Paul Wellens, he is eyeing up a complete stand because his family is so large.
Saints play Wigan on Friday and I could go on at length about the passion and intensity of a local derby and about the battle for bragging rights.
But at the end of the day it is just another game for us players, who must, unlike the fans, keep their emotions in check.
The nerves will start to twitch when the team bus inevitably passes the streams of fans from both clubs on the way to the ground.
That's when it dawns on you that these people are turning up in the hope and expectation of being entertained.
I usually feel a moment of panic at these times, wondering if am I good enough to be mixing in such company, but eventually I convince myself I'll be OK and can look forward to the game.
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~46~RS~)