New Champ Rugby will offer promotion chance

THE RFU have revealed a transformed format for the second tier of rugby union, which will give clubs like Cornish Pirates the chance to win a place in the Premiership.

- by STUART JAMES & RICHARD HUGHES

As well as a new-look identity, with the Championship rebranded as Champ Rugby and 14 teams competing, instead of 12, an end-of-season play-off has been designed to: "Elevate player development, club sustainabilit,y and competitive integrity."

The controversial issue of promotion to rugby's top-tier is on offer - but the team the team that wins the Champ Rugby play-offs will still have have to play-off against the team that finished bottom of the Premiership to win promotion.

All teams will play each other in home and away fixtures over 26 rounds. At the end of that regular season, the table will be split into qualification stages.

The teams ranked from third to sixth will take part in play-off quarter finals to earn entry into the semi-finals, where the winners will take on the top two ranked sides.