English rugby's promotion and relegation controversy: The key questions answered

What is the history of this issue? A league pyramid with clubs playing in 108 leagues – each with promotion and relegation – has existed since 1987, but ring-fencing of the top flight has been a contentious issue since 1999 and was raised most recently in 2010.

Why is this the ideal moment? Promotion and relegation is guaranteed under the current heads of agreement between the Rugby Football Union and Aviva Premiership clubs, but that arrangement is scheduled to finish in 2016 and the clubs in support of ring-fencing believe that this could be a key part of negotiations for the new deal…