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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Matt Hughes

Promotion and relegation from Prem to be scrapped as rugby moves to franchise model

Rugby Prem World Rugby Rugby Football Union The Rugby Football Union Football Prem Rugby the Welsh Rugby Union
Bath Rugby captain Ben Spencer lifts trophy after Premiership final victory at Allianz Stadium
From next season’s campaign, automatic promotion and relegation between the Prem and Championship will be replaced by a criteria-based model. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

English rugby has adopted a franchise system for the first time with promotion and relegation from the Prem scrapped from the end of this season.

In the biggest change to the club game since the introduction of a formal league in 1987, the Rugby Football Union’s council voted overwhelmingly in favour of proposals to ringfence the existing 10-team Prem on Friday, with a view to expanding to 12 clubs in 2029-30.

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