RFU Opposes Premiership Extension Plans

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has announced its strong opposition to proposals put forward by Premier Rugby to extend the Guinness Premiership by a further six rounds of matches.

Premier Rugby, which represents the top-flight clubs, had proposed the move as it believes the extra matches will net them £500,000 each at a time of severe economic problems with many clubs carrying heavy debt.

However the RFU argues the plan would offer only a ‘marginal increase in revenues’, compromise the ‘integrity’ of the league and could damage player welfare.

The clubs want six extra matches each, with those finishing in an even position at the end of this season playing the odd-placed finishers next term, and vice versa.

The proposal provides for an extra fixture to be fitted into the Christmas-New Year schedule when spectator demand is at a peak.

In response to the RFU’s rejection of their plan, Premier Rugby issued a statement that did little to alter their collision course with Twickenham.

‘Our clubs are disappointed with the apparently limited evaluation and premature rejection of their proposals as outlined in today’s RFU statement, made before those proposals have been put to the Professional Game Board (PGB),’ read a statement.

‘We are confident in the £6m of annual net benefit to the Clubs, a figure the clubs themselves are clearly best placed to evaluate.

‘In contrast, the RFU-proposed development cup is very unlikely to be financially justifiable in the current climate.’

The RFU’s management board was unanimous in its view that the proposals were ‘not in the best interests of elite rugby’.

The governing body argued that the plans would contravene the new long-term agreement between the RFU and Premier Rugby, which came into effect on 1st July last year, and fail to address overlaps between club and international games.

It was also feared an increased league programme would add to top players’ workloads and make injuries more likely, while giving clubs an extra incentive to import talent from abroad.

The Professional Game Board will discuss the plan at its next meeting. The board is made up of the RFU, First Division Rugby (FDR), the Professional Rugby Players’ Association (PRA) and Premier Rugby.