RFU plans fully pro second tier
By BBC Sport
November 10 2008
The Rugby Football Union has proposed a fully professional 12-team Championship to replace National League Division One as the second tier from next season. If the plan is ratified, the top Division One sides this season would become Championship founder members - if they agree to turn professional. The relegated Guinness Premiership club would be invited to join them.
Championship teams would play 22 league games per season, with eight top clubs playing off for one promotion place.
The plan also retains promotion and relegation to and from the Championship from the division below, allaying fears the top two divisions are to be ring-fenced.
The RFU Council will discuss the plan at a meeting on Friday, where it may give the proposals the go-ahead.
 | [The plan] will give clubs more financial security than ever before and create a vibrant and viable structure to take the game forward RFU chief Martyn Thomas |
The RFU and First Division Rugby, the organisation that represents Division One teams, have been locked in negotiations over the division's future since January.
Under the new plans, the Championship would receive £2.3m per year from the RFU for two years, plus £1m from Premier Rugby - representing Guinness Premiership clubs - for eight years, as well as sponsorship and a share of the RFU's new five-year TV rights deal with Sky.
After two years, the RFU's injection would be replaced by cash given to those clubs who field England-qualified players and improve their facilities.
The first Championship line-up would include those clubs finishing in second to 11th places in National League One this season, plus the relegated Premiership team and the promoted National Two outfit.
| CHAMPIONSHIP CHANGES 12 teams, down from 16 22 regular season games Promotion and relegation play-offs RFU funding, salary cap and minimum ground requirements |
Promotion from the Championship would be determined via end-of-season play-offs involving two groups of four teams, drawn from the top eight in the league, culminating in a single winner, who would go up to the Premiership.
The bottom four would play each other home and away in a relegation play-off pool, with the last-placed team after six rounds of matches switching divisions with the top team from the third tier, which will now be named National Division One.
Below the third tier, National Division Two would comprise two 16-team leagues split into North and South, with four regional Division Threes.
"The Championship will be a vital part of the structure of English rugby," said RFU chairman Martyn Thomas.
| NEW STRUCTURE CHAMPIONSHIP - 12 teams, one up, one down NATIONAL ONE - 16 teams (five not included in Ch'ship, nine from National Two, one up from National Three North, one up from National Three South) NATIONAL TWO - 32 teams in two leagues, divided into North and South (clubs from existing National Three) NATIONAL THREE - Four leagues (London, Midlands, North, South West), clubs from existing National Three and below) |
"Now is the time to establish its rightful place. The RFU is fully committed to funding and supporting a professional and robust league, with minimum entry criteria and a salary cap, that will support the Guinness Premiership.
"That significant investment, coupled with more matches and television coverage under the Sky Sports contract, will give the clubs more financial security than ever before and create a vibrant and viable structure to take the game forward."
Last month, London Welsh chief executive Peter Thomas told the BBC changes had to be made.
"We need to move forward, the league needs to move forward, and the sooner we get clarity the better," he said.
| 606: DEBATE joe_s |
"As we've seen this year, the league can't continue as it is. There's too big a gap between those clubs at the top and the bottom - it's uncompetitive."
If any of the 12 clubs invited into the Championship were to decide not to turn pro, their place would be offered to the next highest-ranked side in the league.
covmick/Michael Carter
Anyone know what the current funding is?
Salary cap= good idea, depending on the level of the cap
Good that promotion/relegation isnt ringfenced, but i am not a fan of play-offs to decide anything. the fact that promotion to the premiership isnt automatic worries me. also, note the RFU funding suddenyl, stopping after 2 years....how many english players are needed to carry on and what does 'improving facilties' mean...
Birmingham Post
Quote:tom snr
yes sam but for some reason London welsh appear to be in favour-they must have found some money from somewhere.
Brentford FC?
woods, it's in the hipflask! (Steve Emms)
' COME ON COV '
Quote:tom snr
yes sam but for some reason London welsh appear to be in favour-they must have found some money from somewhere.
Talking to one of their coaces last night he admitted they would have to move. Where to, I wonder, given that most of the "London" sides have had to move out of London to play at a reasonable cost? Cov Welsh to play at the Ricoh, anyone?
(I'm joking, btw)
Quote: The vision for the new stadium at Lionel Road includes a 20,000 seat stadium for football and
rugby, a health centre, leisure centre, social enterprise business centre, hotel and conference facilities
Not saying it's a done deal, but there's little smoke.... etc.
And it's a bit more than that if you read the article (and lots more like it).