By Dave Woods BBC Sport

Rugby league's Summer Conference could be set to explode next year, with up to 20 clubs already expressing an interest in joining the leagues.

Teams from places like Bath and Cheltenham have made enquiries about playing in the conference next summer alongside such clubs as the Oxford Cavaliers, West London Sharks and Hemel Stags.

The level of interest is further proof of rugby league's growing national appeal.

And the RFL say they are well on course for their target of having a rugby league team in every centre of population of at least 100,000 within the next four years.

RFL Development Director Gary Tasker says: "It is very encouraging what is happening up to now and we are giving people until November to get their applications in.

"The Summer Conference has proved to be very successful in the few years it has been up and running and hopefully it will continue to go from strength to strength."

The Conference, which is split into several regional leagues, is due for a shake up next year, with 10 or 12 clubs being invited to apply to form a National Summer Conference.

The new conference will be only one level below the Super League and the new Premiership One and Two leagues.