Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Premiership: RFU considers ring-fencing top flight

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Friday, 31 July 2020 08:10

A plan to ring-fence the English Premiership and create a draft system of young players is being considered by the Rugby Football Union.

Former Saracens chief executive Edward Griffiths has proposed a complete rebranding of the Championship.

The second-tier would be split into two conferences - one for the north and one for the south.

BBC Sport understands the RFU and Griffiths have had a "constructive meeting", with discussions continuing.

The 76-page document focuses on developing talented young English players, with the establishment of a new pathway for players through regional academies and an unprecedented draft system - similar to the NFL and NBA blueprint in the USA.

There would also be a four-year pause on promotion and relegation to and from the top flight, while the Championship would be independently governed in order to avoid "a sludge of self-interest and compromise" which affects other leagues.

The report adds that the Championship would "swim against the tide" when it comes to player welfare.

"In recent years, the conventional wisdom within rugby has been that the best way to generate more revenue is to arrange more matches, with unintended consequences of increased injuries and spectator fatigue of the same old, same old," the document reads.

"The English Championship will swim against the tide, and embrace the proven reality that, in elite sport, more revenue is generated by staging fewer, bigger matches."

The plan was circulated to Premiership clubs at the weekend, while the RFU insists the Championship remains "a very important part of the English rugby landscape" despite funding cuts.

"We welcome an innovative approach to developing the potential of the Championship in the interests of English rugby which is aligned across all championship clubs, leagues, and the RFU," said an RFU spokesperson.

"We also welcome initiatives that attract more investment in the game and support more self-sustainable financial stability."

Read 333 times

Soccer

Ranieri leaving Cagliari after ensuring survival

Ranieri leaving Cagliari after ensuring survival

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsClaudio Ranieri will leave his job as Cagliari coach by mutual agre...

Angel Reese buys stake in DC Power soccer club

Angel Reese buys stake in DC Power soccer club

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsWomen's basketball star Angel Reese, who is from Maryland, is part...

Injured Naeher out of Hayes' 1st USWNT roster

Injured Naeher out of Hayes' 1st USWNT roster

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe first United States women's national team roster with new head...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Lakers' Reaves doesn't qualify for golf event

Lakers' Reaves doesn't qualify for golf event

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPlenty of pro athletes play golf during their offseason, but Los An...

Wemby makes history with All-Defensive selection

Wemby makes history with All-Defensive selection

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Victor Wembanyama's latest accolade was like none other...

Baseball

Guardians place SP Carrasco on IL, promote Curry

Guardians place SP Carrasco on IL, promote Curry

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Cleveland Guardians placed Tuesday's previously scheduled start...

Cubs activate Swanson ahead of Braves series

Cubs activate Swanson ahead of Braves series

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs on Tuesday activated shortstop Dansby S...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated