RFU statement: Deadline set for new-look English Championship plan

The latest RFU council meeting has set a deadline to progress plans for a revised Championship in England. There has been much debate over the future of the tier-two league following the recent financial collapse of three Gallagher Premiership clubs – Worcester, Wasps and London Irish – along with the 2022/23 Championship champions Jersey Reds.

Following a meeting on Friday, the RFU issued its latest update on where plans are for a revised Championship. A statement read: “Following a meeting of all the Championship clubs on February 8 and an update to council today [Friday], the RFU and Championship have agreed a revised timeline to progress plans around the development of tier two.

“RFU council voted today in favour of the principle of introducing minimum operating standards for rugby’s second tier as part of plans for the growth strategy of the league.

Beyond 80 analysis on England and a Springbok defensive structure | RPTV

Video Player is loading.

Play Video

PauseSkip BackwardSkip Forward

Unmute

Current Time 0:00

/

Duration 1:29

Loaded: 0%

0:00

Stream Type LIVE

Seek to live, currently behind liveLIVE

Remaining Time -1:29

 

1x

Playback Rate

Chapters

• Chapters

Descriptions

• descriptions off, selected

Captions

• captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
• captions off, selected

Audio Track

• en (Main), selected

Fullscreen

This is a modal window.

Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.

Text

ColorWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanOpacityOpaqueSemi-Transparent

Text Background

ColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanOpacityOpaqueSemi-TransparentTransparent

Caption Area Background

ColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanOpacityTransparentSemi-TransparentOpaque

Font Size

50%75%100%125%150%175%200%300%400%

Text Edge Style

NoneRaisedDepressedUniformDrop shadow

Font Family

Proportional Sans-SerifMonospace Sans-SerifProportional SerifMonospace SerifCasualScriptSmall Caps

ResetDone

Close Modal Dialog

End of dialog window.

Close Modal Dialog

This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.

Beyond 80 analysis on England and a Springbok defensive structure | RPTV

Former Ireland and Leinster hooker and analysis guru Bernard Jackman dissects England’s defensive structure under Felix Jones. Watch the full episode on RugbyPass TV

Watch now

“Between now and Friday, March 29, the RFU and the Championship will work together to further agree on the detail within the minimum operating standards (MOS), establish a governance structure for the league, confirm the number of teams in the league and discuss promotion/relegation mechanics within the structures.

“Following working group meetings between now and the end of March, an update will be provided to council at its April meeting. We would like to thank all National League clubs who have expressed an interest in being part of a relaunched second tier.”