RUGBY League's new format for next season is 'very positive and good news for all the Super League clubs'.

That's the view of Wigan chairman Jack Robinson after the Super League decided to extend next season by between six to nine games.

"The outcome of the ruling in Australia between Super League and ARL will determine whether teams from Down Under will be involved but whatever the decision we have to get on with a new fixture formula," he said.

"There have not been enough games played this season and if you compare that with around 50 matches that Manchester United will play it is a ridiculous comparison. "I am not advocating that rugby league play that many games because it is a physical contact sport but we need more than 11 home matches.

"The decisions made this week will give the game a bright future both in the Super League and the lower divisions."

The plan is to play the extra games at the end of the league programme.

Meanwhile Robinson rejected out of hand suggestions that the Riversiders might merge with Orrell RU Club.

"We appear to be linked with everything and everybody at the moment, but there is no truth in the suggestion of a merger.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.