Reducing Premiership Rugby to 10 teams is "one of a host of ideas being floated as a potential solution to the continuing dispute over the length of the domestic season," which has "led to the threat of a player strike," according to Gerard Meagher of the London GUARDIAN. It is understood the proposal also includes the "possibility of a 10-team Championship" coming under the jurisdiction of Premiership Rugby Ltd. -- the second tier is currently run by the Rugby Football Union -- and, "in theory, a more even distribution of funds across the two divisions." Cutting two teams from the Premiership is "just one of a number of suggestions for restructuring the domestic game" -- the main focus at Wednesday’s Professional Game Board meeting. The proposals "come amid a row over the Premiership’s plans to extend its season to 10 months as part of the new-look global calendar," which will apply from '20. Ring-fencing the Premiership has "also been raised as a solution," though to do so with 12 teams is "difficult because some of its shares are held by clubs in the Championship." Proposals for a 13- or 14-team Premiership have been raised "but that would only increase fears over player welfare." Reducing the Premiership to 10 teams would "not at first seem an attractive proposal to the shareholders either but it is thought that a better distribution of finances, a significantly more competitive second tier and a two up, two down promotion/relegation system would help to allay fears." The PGB meeting was "expected to be lively," with the salary cap, player wages, the "glut" of injuries suffered in the early months of the season and the A League all currently contentious issues (GUARDIAN, 11/28).
