The Rugby Football League [RFL] has confirmed nine clubs have submitted formal applications to be included in next season’s expanded 14-team Super League.
In an official statement, the RFL said two of Super League’s current teams, Huddersfield Giants and Hull FC, applied for entry before last Friday’s deadline.
The seven other clubs to apply come from the Championship.
They are Bradford Bulls, Doncaster, London Broncos, Oldham, Toulouse Olympique, Widnes Vikings and York Knights.
A decision announcing the composition of next year’s competition will be confirmed on Thursday, 16 October.
The RFL said 12 positions will be determined by the IMG club grading process, with an elected seven-person panel deciding on whether to add two further clubs.
Lord Caine will chair the panel, which includes Tony Sutton, departing chief executive of the RFL, and Rugby League Commercial’s managing director Rhodri Jones.