RFU Release A Statement On The Funding Of The Championship

The RFU released a statement after reports announced that it 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”.

The statement read:

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) will continue to provide financial support to the Greene King IPA Championship next season (2020/21) following the conclusion of the current agreement which ends in June.

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Aggregate funding will amount to approximately £288,000 per club and represents a return to the levels of funding prior to the 2016 - 2020 cycle. 

As previously, elements of this funding will be ringfenced and increased for player medical insurance and be conditional on meeting England Qualified Player (EQP) targets.  

Bill Sweeney, RFU CEO said “This is a decision based on a principle of ensuring levels of investment are geared to a clear return on investment. There are many worthy requirements from both the professional and community game and we need to make sure that every pound spent is clearly justified. The decision we have made is connected to a wider review of strategic objectives and resource allocation.

“The decision taken in 2015 to increase Championship funding significantly was against a set of objectives and deliverables that we do not believe have been achieved. 

 “Ultimately the difference in the levels of funding between the current agreement and our new commitment will not be the deciding factor for clubs with aspirations for promotion and will always require additional investment.

The gateway is still open for clubs to get into the Premiership if they have the necessary financial resources and meet the minimum standards required.

"The Championship is, and will continue to be, a useful way for players to get additional developmental experience, but we do not believe it is the primary place where Premiership and England players are discovered and developed.”