Talks over the construction of a future second tier are persevering with, with present Championship golf equipment eager on a meritocratic system that enables for promotion and relegation.
Premiership sides Worcester, Wasps and London Irish all went bust final yr, together with Championship champions Jersey Reds.
Championship sides are involved over the distribution of funding – they declare the present proposals for the 2025 season will end in second-tier golf equipment sharing £4m compared to £33m between the ten Premiership sides.
They’ve continued to battle for funding because the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, with central RFU funds falling from £645,000 per membership in 2019 to £150,000.
Earlier this yr Cornish Pirates mentioned they have been not ready to herald new funding as a result of ongoing uncertainty over the way forward for the second tier.
A remaining determination on the make-up of a brand new second tier will probably be made by the RFU council no later than 1 August 2024, together with the foundations on how groups will probably be accepted into the brand new league.
“The target is to create a second tier that helps the English system by growing younger English expertise, while supporting the golf equipment to turn into financially sustainable by rising native audiences and growing the worth within the league,” the RFU mentioned.
“In April 2024, Council accepted the ideas of a brand new governance construction, the Minimal Working Requirements, and the precept of Tier Two comprising 14 golf equipment from 2025-26.”