As expected, Rhinos have been granted a licence for the next three seasons – along with the other 11 current clubs, plus National One sides Celtic Crusaders and Salford City Reds.

Celtic have been included ahead of clubs from traditional league areas, but Hetherington claims expansion into Wales is the way forward.

He said: "If the success of the French experience (Les Catalans Dragons) can be repeated in Wales, it will bring significant benefits to rugby league.

"I wish Celtic Crusaders and Salford City Reds all the best and we have to be hopeful Salford's new stadium can be achieved by 2010."

Hetherington feels Rhinos' place in the competition was "never in doubt", but he insisted: "The process has been good for all the clubs, ourselves included.

"It sharpens the focus and it will be interesting when they publish the feedback to see how close some of the current clubs were to losing their place."

The RFL's summary of Rhinos' application described Headingley Carnegie as "an example of an older stadium that has had significant improvement, with more planned" and it added: "The club has historic and projected profits and strong net assets. Commercially the club has produced good results and they achieve high attendances.

"The club's playing record speaks for itself and the club is producing quality club trained players."

Bradford Bulls chairman Peter Hood said: "From the outset we gave the licence application process the respect it deserved, taking nothing for granted and certainly not resting on our laurels.

"Now that our immediate future is secure, the off-field focus shifts to 2011. In less than three years' time the application process begins again, by which time it is essential that there is a workable solution in place to bring the Grattan Stadium, Odsal into the 21st century."

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