Smith makes Wigan bow (From The Bolton News)

Smith makes Wigan bow

9:29pm Wednesday 23rd July 2008 in

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Australian half-back Tim Smith will make his Wigan debut in tomorrow’s re-arranged engage Super League game against Huddersfield at the JJB Stadium.

The 23-year-old former Parramatta player was set to make his bow against St Helens last Friday but picked up a hamstring injury in training.

He has now recovered and, after being included in coach Brian Noble’s 19-man squad, is poised to be handed the scrum-half role against the Giants, with Thomas Leuluai switching to hooker in place of the suspended Michael McIlorum.

Second rower Phil Bailey could also return after a hamstring injury while full-back Pat Richards has recovered from the illness that forced him to miss the Saints game.

Meanwhile, only three clubs met the top grade when the Rugby Football League determined the outcome of the three-year Super League licences.

Of the 14 clubs who will compete in the elite division in 2009, only Leeds, Hull and Warrington ticked enough boxes to earn A-grade status, based on facilities, playing standards, finance and junior development.

Three others – Bradford, St Helens and Wigan - were awarded B grades, which virtually makes them secure in Super League.

All 14 clubs were notified of their classification, along with feedback from their licence applications and, for some, a warning to improve or risk losing their licence in 2011.

Wakefield and Castleford will be expected to press ahead with plans to move to new stadia while such as Huddersfield will be urged to increase junior development.

The League have confirmed that one club from the Co-operative National Leagues will be given a licence in 2011 subject to them meeting qualifying standards. This includes playing in a Grand Final between now and 2010.

Their promotion will either be at the expense of an existing club or through further expansion to 16 teams.

Meanwhile, the League have invited France to enter one of their domestic clubs in National League One from either 2009 or 2010 and are considering including teams from Scotland and Ireland in future seasons.