- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
England’s Rugby Football Union (RFU) may have brokered a deal with the country’s Premiership clubs over player release for Tests, but a new row was developing on Monday regarding second division rugby.
The RFU announced plans for a fully professional 12-team Championship to replace National Division One, the tier below the elite Premiership, from the start of next season.
If their plan is approved by the RFU’s governing council on Friday, the top 12 teams in Division One will get the opportunity to become founder members of the Championship.
However, participation will be granted only to those clubs willing to go professional.
If any of the top 12 decide against a switch to full professionalism, their place will be offered to the next highest-ranked side in the league.
But both First Division Rugby (FDR) and Premier Rugby (PRL), the organisations representing the interests of the clubs at the top of the English game, have both voiced their opposition to the RFU’s proposals.
In a joint statement, they said such plans had been rejected by FDR clubs by a a majority of 12 to four and were also opposed by the current 12 Premiership teams.
They added that under the terms of the recent agreement between the RFU and PRL, it was for FDR to make proposals on the future of the division which would then be considered by the RFU.
And their statement also said the plans had not been discussed by the Professional Game Board (PGB), the organisation set-up to oversee the implementation of the eight-year agreement.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.