Championship Funding Slashed By 50% by RFU

The Rugby Football Union is set to cut its funding of the Championship, England's second Tier of professional, by 50% throwing the league into turmoil and handing “ring-fencing to the Premiership on a plate”.

A Championship owner told the Guardian that move was “showing contempt” for the Championship, suggesting the league could be reduced to amateur status in “two or three years”.

WATCH: The reason why the Caterpillar box kick exists and why Exeter use it so often 

Continue reading below...

The report by the Guardian goes on to state that the RFU’s swingeing cuts of more than £3m will come into force next season, leaving a number of Championship clubs in a state of shock and uncertain of their futures.

The move has been described as Premiership ring-fencing “by default”. “The RFU has handed ring-fencing to the Premiership on a plate and they’ve paid nothing for it,” added a Championship source. “They’ve just given it away.”