The Rugby Football League has warned Castleford, Wakefield and Salford their Super League places are at risk if they do not advance their stadium plans.

Licences for 2009-12 were issued with orders for facilities to improve.

"We felt it was appropriate to remind all the clubs of their commitment to upgrade their current facility or move to a new stadium," the RFL said.

"Any failure to do so may have potential implications on their next licence application."

Applications for 2012-15 licences must be submitted in 2011 and the 14 current Super League clubs are likely to be joined by a number of ambitious Championship sides.

Widnes already have a very strong case having earned the right to apply by winning the Northern Rail Cup earlier this month.

606: DEBATE This is very welcome news indeed, now clubs will have to spend money on their grounds instead of has beens and never was players from the NRL huddersfield1895

Their Stobart Stadium is also of sufficient quality and the RFL has pledged to conditionally award a licence to a Championship club.

St Helens and Celtic Crusaders have also been told their present homes do not match requirements but they are likely to be in new grounds by 2012.

Saints are well advanced with plans to relocate from Knowsley Road while the Crusaders have made clear they are likely to leave their present Brewery Field base in Bridgend by next season.

In the long term, the Welsh club have plans for a new purpose-built stadium.

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