England’s Premiership Rugby clubs "intend to push ahead with their desire to scrap relegation immediately so that no club goes down in May," even though the Rugby Football Union "already stated publicly that it would not endorse such a significant change in the middle of a season," according to Owen Slot of the LONDON TIMES. A majority of clubs, led by Bristol and London Irish, are "pushing to have the change rubber-stamped as soon as possible," with the likelihood that the Premiership would become a 13-team league next season. London Irish is leading the Championship Rugby league and "would expect to be promoted at the end of this season." The 13 clubs would "then hope to pull up the drawbridge for the next four or five years." To introduce ring-fencing in such a way, the clubs "need the approval of the RFU." However, the RFU was "clear that it was unlikely to give its approval." However, the clubs are now "emboldened" by their £200M ($255.4M) deal with CVC Capital Partners and are "keen to push ahead." They have "no desire to conflict with the RFU" even though, in a past meeting, they have "discussed the possibility of breaking away from it if necessary" (LONDON TIMES, 1/7).
