Cornish Pirates

Media advisory on RFU Championship relegation and Birmingham & Solihull RFC and Coventry FC

Issued on behalf of the RFU
Monday May 10, 2010

Issued by Peter Thomas

As its statement on 1 May made clear, the issue over relegation from the RFU Championship is subject to Management Board ratification. Given what has been written on this issue, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) thought it important to clarify the situation to ensure all stakeholders are perfectly clear what steps need to happen before a final decision is made on this. It is important to note that the promotion of Esher from National One to the Championship is confirmed and absolute.

The key fact to remember is that because both Birmingham & Solihull (B&S) and Coventry went into administration this season and re-emerged as new legal entities (so called 'phoenix companies') they are not full members of the RFU and are operating under temporary playing licences for the Championship which expire at the end of this season. As a result neither can be assumed to either be relegated or safe from relegation at the current time.

To enable both clubs to continue playing at Championship level season they are required to provide the RFU with comprehensive, three-year, business plans that are validated and supported by required legal guarantees where appropriate.

Among other issues these plans need to cover confirmed financial investments, cost projections over the period including player costs and anything required to satisfy the RFU that the club has the money, resources and assets, including access to an appropriate ground at which to play their games, required for a club at this level.

A full submission of these plans by both clubs is required by the end of 14th May. Any further clarifications will be sought from 15th-25th May and at its meeting on 26th May the RFU Management Board will confirm whether or not it agrees to grant the permissions required. That deadline will not be extended and the decision of the Management Board will be final.

If both clubs provide plans that would enable them to compete at Championship level then B&S will stay in the Championship and Coventry will be relegated to National One. There are however other scenarios which might pertain and which should be noted:

a) B&S are granted permanent membership for the Championship for next season but Coventry submit a plan that is not acceptable at Championship level and are relegated from the Championship and placed at a lower level, yet to be decided, for next season

b) Coventry are granted permanent membership for the Championship and B&S are not. In this instance Coventry would stay in the Championship and B&S are relegated from the Championship and placed at a lower level, yet to be decided, for next season

c) Neither Coventry or B&S are granted permanent membership to play in the Championship next season and both are relegated from the Championship and placed at a lower level, yet to be decided, for next season. In this instance London Scottish would be promoted from National One along with Esher.

Peter Baines, Chair of the RFU's Governance Committee, commented:

"We wanted all parties to be fully aware of how things stand around relegation from the Championship as it is not as clear cut as some have made it sound.

We did not want to get to our Management Board meeting on the 26th and reach a decision which surprised people.

We are in a highly unusual situation and the best way forward seemed to be a transparent and open process over the next couple of weeks."