Plans for Prem ring-fencing and expansion are approved

Relegation and promotion will be axed from England’s top flight for an alternative model, writes Harry Latham-Coyle

- Harry Latham-Coyle

Prem Rugby bosses have been given approval to ring-fence the top flight in a radical change to the English domestic structure.

Yesterday, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) council rubber-stamped plans that will allow the Prem to remove promotion and relegation from the division, separating it from the rest of the men’s English rugby pyramid to move instead to a criteria-based expansion and demotion model.

The league will look to expand from 10 to 12 teams for the 2029-30 season, with scope to potentially grow further in the future if suitable clubs apply for inclusion.

As it stands, there is a mechanism for promotion and relegation to and from the Prem via a playoff with the top-placed side in the Champ. However, Ealing Trailfinders, who have won the second tier in three of the last four seasons and again top the table, have consistently failed to meet the criteria required for promotion.

Saracens were both the last team to be relegated – in 2020, after two points deductions related to the salary cap scandal - and promoted to the Prem, coming back up a year later.

Under new plans formulated, clubs of all kinds will be welcome to apply for inclusion in the top flight under a set of revamped criteria. The exact details of requirements are still to be fully worked out, but the Prem can now press ahead after receiving RFU approval.