By Mike Hulme IF Leigh Centurions don't manage to avoid relegation from Division One, they could be really hitting the road in Division Two next season.

Teams from as far afield as Ipswich, Birmingham and Worcester are likely to be invited to compete in the League as part of an expanded Second Division next year.

The Centurions are currently bottom of the first division, still looking for a win after five starts.

But Leigh could be saved from a possible drop if FASDA, the First and Second Division Association, press ahead with plans to scrap relegation for the first season.

The Rugby Football League is keen to boost the eight-team division with clubs from beyond the sport's traditional heartland as well as ambitious amateur clubs.

A committee is to investigate a possible expansion but will impose minimum standards to ensure new entrants are of sufficient quality.

Neil Tunnicliffe, the RFL's acting chief executive, said: "In the short term our priority must be to protect the immediate interests of our existing member clubs.

"However, in doing so, we must also provide for the long-term and the time when new clubs in new areas are ready to begin the climb up the senior divisions."

Subject to approval of the RFL Council meeting on April 1 applications will be taken from new or existing non-League clubs to enter the Second Division in 1999.

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