Championship clubs hail ‘new era’ after approval of promotion to Premiership
Championship clubs fear bankruptcy without fairer deal from RFU
January 2024
‘Zombie league’: Championship clubs push back against RFU’s tier-two plans
English rugby is heading for a political bust-up after second-tier clubs urged Rugby Football Union council members to delay the proposed new agreement
December 2023
Sportblog
RFU’s three wise men bear gifts but revamp of English game will not be easy
While trio’s vision appeals to national side and the Premiership there is still work to be done in building trust with Championship sides
England player welfare at heart of RFU’s enhanced ‘hybrid’ contract plan
Deals will be offered to up to 25 England internationals from next season with Owen Farrell likely to be among them despite missing the Six Nations
Ealing v Cornish Pirates match abandoned after player knocked unconscious
The Championship rugby union match between Ealing Trailfinders and Cornish Pirates was abandoned on Saturday after Ben Grubb was knocked unconscious by a high tackle
May 2023
Wasps thrown into fresh turmoil as RFU withdraws offer of Championship place
The former European champions Wasps have failed to meet an RFU deadline and have had their Championship licence removed
April 2023
The Breakdown newsletter
Rugby’s rickety structure leaves Championship’s future up in the air
Wasps plan new ‘Wasps Nest Stadium’ and return to Premiership by 2025-26
December 2022
Worcester rescue bid rejected by RFU but Wasps takeover approved
Worcester’s hopes of resurrection at elite level at risk due to RFU demands
October 2022
History will keep repeating unless changes are made in domestic rugby
Saracens lacking safety certificate to admit 10,000 or more fans to stadium
May 2022
The Breakdown newsletter
Rugby union in limbo: ‘Riches at the top and everyone else is starving’
Whether in the Championship or below, the English club game is suffering and needs decisive action from the RFU
April 2022
Championship race a thriller but meaningless as RFU lets limbo persist
Ealing and Doncaster see promotion ambitions stifled by temporary muddle as stadium capacity remains sticking point
March 2022
Doncaster and Ealing have Premiership promotion hopes dashed over stadiums
Doncaster Knights and Ealing Trailfinders have been denied a potential promotion to the Premiership after failing to meet minimum standards criteria
January 2022
The Breakdown newsletter
Does the future look bleak for recreational rugby union in England?
Participation has plummeted, finances are dire and the structure of the men’s game below the Premiership is broken
June 2021
Saracens take no prisoners to seal escape from Championship purgatory
Mark McCall’s men beat Ealing in final by an aggregate score of 117-15 in a warning shot to next season’s Premiership rivals
Saracens crush Ealing to close in on immediate return to Premiership
Saracens scored eight tries, including two for Billy Vunipola, in their 60-0 win away to Ealing in the first leg of the Championship final
Ealing dispute RFU ruling on failure to meet Premiership stadium criteria
Ealing Trailfinders are disputing the RFU’s ruling they cannot be promoted to the Premiership if they beat Saracens in the Championship final, insisting they have an agreement to use a compliant stadium
