Widnes have called for the Super League to expand to 14 teams if France's Union Treiziste Catalane are invited to join. The 12 existing clubs will make a final decision on UTC's fate at a meeting on Wednesday and seem likely to back the French Cup winners' entry.
If they do, the league must then decide whether to expand or stay the same by relegating two clubs at the end 2005.
Widnes chairman Tony Chambers believes a bigger Super League will "promote the growth of the game."
Chambers says his club are prepared to take a cut in central funding to pave the way for the change.
"Many people will have read that Bradford, Wigan, Leeds and St Helens have come out strongly in favour of UTC's application," he said.
"But, contrary to some press comments, Widnes are not opposed to the application in principle.
"What we are opposed to is the potential sacrifice of an existing established and historic club to make room for a newcomer that even on its own projected figures has no certainty of viability.
"So we have submitted a proposal to the Super League clubs that, in the event that the UTC application is granted, the Super League should be extended to 14 clubs in 2006.
Chambers said a 14-team league could have "many advantages."
"In particular, instead of losing a club, it makes room for an additional club from the National League and would result in a 26-game competition with each club playing each of the others twice only."
MMIX
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We have submitted a proposal that the Super League should be extended to 14 clubs 