Keiron Cunningham hopes the magic remains at The Millennium

Keiron Cunningham is urging rugby league chiefs to keep the Millennium Magic spectacular in Cardiff.

The attendance for the two-day event at the Millennium Stadium grew to 63,144, delighting the Rugby Football League.

But the RFL is considering Edinburgh and Belfast as potential alternative venues for Super League's weekend away.

Former Wales star Cunningham pleaded: "The Welsh love rugby league and have always been crying out for it. There is no reason why we shouldn't keep it."

Both Edinburgh and Belfast are thought to have made rival bids, with representatives of both the Irish and Scottish tourist boards attending the matches at the weekend.

The RFL introduced Millennium Magic in 2007 and has a three-year agreement with the local authority in south Wales.

606: DEBATE Should the RFL ditch Cardiff for Edinburgh?

But the RFL is understood to be privately disappointed with the stadium company's lack of promotion for the event.

"Not surprisingly, a number of cities are looking at staging this event," confirmed RFL media spokesman Craig Spence. "The economic benefits are massive."

Murrayfield hosted the Challenge Cup finals in 2000 and 2002 during the rebuilding of Wembley.

The Edinburgh arena will almost certainly stage next year's May Day weekend day-out if the RFL decides to ditch Cardiff, a decision that would upset St Helens captain Cunningham.

"I think it would be a shame," said the Saints hooker, whose St Helens team thrashed Wigan 57-16 in Cardiff on Sunday.

"I understand they want to put their fingers in different pies but we've got a real push in Wales and the Celtic Crusaders are doing a good job and aiming for a Super League franchise.

"If the Crusaders did get in, they could be playing in the Millennium next year. That would be great for them and great for the game here in Wales."

The Celtic Crusaders, who drew a crowd in excess of 6,000 for their National League One fixture with Featherstone in Bridgend last Friday, are among 19 applicants for a Super League licence from 2009.