English second-tier clubs say they peril being driven into bankruptcy unless they get a fairer agreement in negotiations with the Rugby Football Union and the Premiership. The championship clubs also insist that the terms of the proposed professional playing partnership could split the game “at the expense of sport in England”.”
The RFU and the Premiership clubs are preparing to announce an eight-year contract covering all aspects of English professional rugby, but there is currently no firm agreement on the future form of promotion and relegation to and from the championship or the confirmed amount of central funding for clubs outside the top flight.
After almost two years of strife, championship officials say that if a more equitable financial agreement is not reached, it will be “too late” to get a viable league of the second division, with serious consequences for the development of promising players, coaches, referees and, ultimately, the entire English game. They also call for the intervention of the RFU council, which is scheduled to meet on June 14 to approve the new PGP agreement.
“The clubs in the championship have recently been given a deadline by the RFU to agree to certain conditions or to be effectively removed from the current structure of the professional game,” it said in a statement. “We have been presented with a proposal that we cannot accept.
“We have always strived for a new Tier 2 league as part of an overall solution, but this can only work if there is proper governance, a credible and fair approach to promotion and relegation, and a financing model that supports growth and sustainability. At the moment we are far from it.
“We understand and support the need to stabilize the elite of football, but our clubs must be an integral part of the structure. We have offered 200 players, many of whom are now well-known names, a way to the top of the game. This path must not be lost, as it is the basis of the game. PGP is about the next eight years at a time when gaming is changing rapidly on a global and national level, so this is a defining moment. If there are no changes now, it’s too late.”
In response, the RFU said it had explored all avenues in search of a solution. “Over the past 15 months, the RFU, Premiership Rugby Limited, championship clubs and national leagues have been working hard to develop a redesigned Tier 2 to create an overall solution to support the development of English rugby.
“We will be disappointed if the championship clubs decide to go through the process and will continue to work with key stakeholders ahead of the RFU board meeting next week.”