The Tier 2 "New Rule Book"

What are the Minimum Operating Standards for the New Tier 2 "The Champ"

English Rugby’s Second Tier Gets a New Rulebook

The Rugby Football Union has introduced Minimum Operating Standards (MOS) for clubs in England’s revamped Tier 2 competition, set to launch in the 2025-26 season. The standards are split into three categories — 

Essential, Phased Essential and Aspirational.

The Essential requirements are non-negotiable. They cover the basics: adequate facilities, medical provision, coaching structures, governance, and financial oversight. These must be in place before a club can compete. 

Phased Essential standards will be introduced over time, while 

Aspirational standards mirror those in the Premiership, designed for clubs aiming for promotion.

Why the change?

After years of instability in English rugby’s second tier — from financial collapses to uneven playing standards — the RFU says the MOS are about creating a “stable, competitive and sustainable” league.

They aim to protect player welfare, ensure financial transparency, and give clubs the tools to grow, both on and off the pitch.

The move is also about bridging the gap with the Premiership.

With promotion now dependent on meeting MOS, the RFU hopes to end the cycle of teams going up unprepared, only to come straight back down in financial trouble. 

The Tier 2 Board will oversee compliance, marking a new era of accountability in the league.

Please find the Minimum Operating Standards(MOS) for The Champ HERE! (Better to view on a tablet or computer)

In short, the MOS are not just bureaucracy; they’re an attempt to ensure that English rugby’s second tier is no longer a fragile stepping stone, but a thriving, professional competition in its own right.