The RFL has opted for expansion ahead of tradition by handing Bridgend-based Celtic Crusaders a three-year Super League licence while rejecting the claims of more established clubs such as Widnes Vikings and Leigh Centurions. The sport's top flight will comprise 14 teams from next season, with the present 12 being joined by the Crusaders and Salford City Reds, who were also given cause for celebration when Richard Lewis, the RFL executive chairman, revealed the new make-up of the game's elite in a Leeds hotel yesterday morning.

“It's an exciting day for rugby league,” John Dixon, the Celtic coach, said. The 56-year-old Australian has been in charge of the Crusaders since their inception in 2005 and steered them to the National League Two title last season. They are third in National League One at present. “Getting into Super League was why we came, but it seemed a distant goal when we started,” Dixon said. “We talked about putting things in place to achieve it, but we've had to come a long way.”

Racked with nerves, Dixon relieved some of the tension by pounding the streets of Wales on an early-morning run before reaching his desk 20 minutes before the announcement. “The only thing I knew was that we'd given some really compelling reasons to include us,” he said. “We couldn't do anything more than that.”

Along with Shaun McRae, the Salford coach, he must spend the next six months trying to assemble a squad capable of competing in the Super League. Iestyn Harris, the 32-year-old Bradford Bulls stand-off and former Wales rugby union international, is expected to join the Crusaders for a final fling before retirement, but Dixon concedes that he faces difficulties. “The majority of good players are signed up, but the wonderful thing is we've got three years to build a footy team, not three months,” he said.

Nigel Wood, the RFL chief executive, confirmed that Celtic will be able to apply for an exemption from the rule surrounding the number of players who must be “club trained”. “That's the system we've introduced for all new entrants to the competition,” he said. “Hull Kingston Rovers and Castleford Tigers have had a dispensation this year and both new applicants will be able to apply for that.”

Lewis admitted that the final decision had been more difficult than expected, but denied that the admission of the Crusaders was a calculated gamble. “They persuaded us that they can deliver,” he said. “They've gone to National League One and grown their crowds, while market research was very strong in terms of indicating support and interest in Super League in South Wales. They've put together a very good case.

“Salford have a strong history of stability, despite being relegated a couple of times, and their new stadium offers them a fantastic opportunity. They're in a major conurbation in Salford and Manchester and it was right and proper that they were given the chance to show what they can do with a licence and a new stadium.”

Widnes greeted their exclusion with dignified disappointment and Steve O'Connor, the chairman, expressed determination to complete his club's transformation. “I am fully committed to Widnes,” he said. “We must build on the solid foundations we have laid down over the past eight months and prepare an absolutely irresistible licence application for the future.”

Leigh were less gracious. “We are thoroughly disgusted with the Celtic decision,” Allan Rowley, the Centurions chief executive, said. “The decision-makers should hang their heads in shame. We are going to ask the RFL how Celtic ticked more boxes. We owe that to the public of Leigh.”

Winners

Salford City Reds and Celtic Crusaders join Super League's 12 existing clubs, safe in the knowledge that they are guaranteed top-flight security until the end of 2011. Wakefield Wildcats and Castleford Tigers will need to make rapid progress on their stadium facilities to be assured of a second licence three years from now.

Losers

Widnes Vikings, Leigh Centurions, Halifax and Featherstone Rovers will consolidate in National League One while attempting to build far stronger applications for 2011. Toulouse are expected to join National League One in 2010, suggesting a clear path towards fulfilling their Super League hopes.