Next season

Thatbloke’s post in the Round 12 thread alerted me to the RFU’s recent announcement that next season there will be 12 clubs in the Championship. Brilliant. Status quo. A 22 game season. I suppose this means the totally meaningless Cup competition will be repeated.

I have been following this forum for about a year now and I cannot recall anyone posting anything to support this structure. The RFU have invited thoughts in a questionnaire and again I cannot recall anyone expressing an opinion to support an ongoing 12 club division. Yet the RFU ignore all this and announce no change. I despair.

Thatbloke raised an interesting point. The RFU informed the National Division 1 clubs, but did they inform each of the Championship clubs?

The RFU remind me of Boris. So many own goals. One after the other.

Thatbloke wrote: Cherub - said email is posted under the Nat1 "Promotion Issues" thread addressed only to the NCA clubs. Surely someone can answer the question "Have the Championship clubs been notified?"

I am hoping so.
AmpthillRUFC, can you help on this?

Edited by Cherub - 20 Dec 2021 at 21:21

dropout22 wrote: The Champ Cup will go at the end of this season, i understand. Replaced by a new cup competition. Rumour of play offs returning aswell. But as we know with the RFU that can all change in a heartbeat so there is a long way to go till next september. It will be interesting to see who comes up, as it'll be a fairly new face to the Level 2 game - as in a side who is new to the level or hasn't been around that level for a good few years. Saying ealing do go up, we will have 2 sides come up next season, it looks like Rosslyn Park & Cinderford with Caldy, Sale FC & Cambridge all following closely behind. 2022/23 should be good fun i think.

Mark W-J wrote: On the Championship Clubs podcast this week, the Chairman of Jersey and COO of Bedford both stated that their preferred option was a 14 team Championship alongside some form of 'meaningful' cup.  Both were fans of the B&I, although recognised that some clubs weren't, but neither had any interest in a Championship Cup.

But could this be offset by the 3 extra home league games that would be played? (as opposed to mickey mouse cup games that no one wants to play in or watch) 

Edited by Thatbloke - 21 Dec 2021 at 09:52

Thatbloke wrote: But could this be offset by the 3 extra home league games that would be played? (as opposed to mickey mouse cup games that no one wants to play in or watch)

Do you have a link?

Kimbo wrote: Thatbloke wrote: But could this be offset by the 3 extra home league games that would be played? (as opposed to mickey mouse cup games that no one wants to play in or watch)  More than offset. But the more important thing is that spectator interest is boosted. I don't want to see the same team multiple times in a season, and I'd suggest most others don't, either, evidenced by the reduced attendances and multiple previous comments on this site.

Edited by cheshire exile - 21 Dec 2021 at 16:16

• If the winner of the Championship does not meet the Minimum Standards Criteria and therefore is not promoted to the Premiership, this would leave 11 teams in the Championship meaning just the winner of National One will be promoted to the second tier.

corporalcarrot wrote: If the winner of the Championship does not meet the Minimum Standards Criteria and therefore is not promoted to the Premiership, this would leave 11 teams in the Championship meaning just the winner of National One will be promoted to the second tier. Do any of the clubs in the Championship actually meet the Minimum Standards Criteria? I'm guessing Ealing do and Pirates when they build S4C - are there any others? If the winner doesn't meet the MSC wouldn't it be better to promote the highest ranking club who does meet them if the MSC is essential and they clearly want 14 teams in the premiership.