Major shake-up as pro rugby changes league structure

PROMOTION and relegation is set to be scrapped as part of a major restructure at the top of English club rugby.

- By George Sessions

Exeter Chiefs' Rus Tuima scores a try during the PREM Rugby Cup match between Exeter Chiefs and Sale Sharks at Sandy Park

(CameraSport)

A landmark agreement to reform the structure of professional rugby in England was approved “overwhelmingly” during a vote by the Rugby Football Union Council yesterday.

The proposal will turn the Gallagher Prem into a franchise model, with 12 teams planned to be in the division from the 2029-30 season.

From the 2026-27 campaign, automatic promotion and relegation between the Prem and Championship will be replaced by a criteria-based expansion and demotion model.

RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney welcomed the move, saying: “We recognise that moving away from a traditional system of automatic promotion and relegation represents a significant change.

“However, it is equally clear that the professional game must evolve if it is to thrive.

“The previous structure was not delivering the financial stability, investment confidence or wider system benefits the game now requires.