SPECULATION is increasing that Leigh Centurions and London Broncos are on the verge of agreeing a sensational Rugby League merger.

NFP big boys Leigh and the Super League Broncos would join forces and be catapulted into Super League next season, playing out of Hilton Park, it is reported.

The Journal has learned that talks between the respective clubs have taken place, and an announcement is imminent.

Centurions' chairman Mike Nolan issued a terse 'no comment' statement, but did admit he wants to see Leigh in Super League at the earliest opportunity.

But Broncos media manager Chris Warren has confirmed that his club is considering leaving the capital. "There have been a number of approaches with regard to the future of the club and one may involve a re-location to the north," he said. "There will be an annoucement in due course."

The Broncos, who currently share The Valley with Charlton Athletic FC, look like finishing just outside the play-off places in Super League this season, despite a heavy recruitment programme.

Their gates at The Valley have plummeted recently and last week's clash with Huddersfield attracted just 1,800 fans.

Leigh romped away with the NFP Minor Premiership, winning the Trans-Pennine Trophy along the way, but crashed out of the play-offs when they had hoped to go on and reach their second successive Grand Final and qualify for a Super League place in their own right.

The astonishing news broke in the capital yesterday when it was claimed that 21 years of professional RL in London would be brought to a close in three weeks' time with Virgin, owners of the Broncos, relocating to Leigh in the game's traditional heartland next season. Virgin have suffered huge losses since taking control four years ago, but with the continued backing of Broncos' chairman Sir Richard Branson, they launched a huge pre-season recruitment drive that took world-class stars such as Richie Barnett, Jason Hetherington and Jim Dymock to The Valley.

Lionel Hurst, the Broncos chief executive, confirmed this week that Branson was likely to step down as chairman in the near future but added that the multi-millionaire was keen to continue to support the club.

Details of a proposed merger could be put to the other 11 Super League Europe clubs when they meet in Leeds on Monday.

Any merger would need the approval of Super League Europe and the Rugby Football League.