The Rugby Football Union is set to approve a radical restructuring of English rugby at Friday's council meeting. The Premiership will separate from the rest of the pyramid, immediately scrapping traditional promotion and relegation. The top flight plans to expand from 10 to 12 teams by 2030, with further growth possible for ambitious clubs meeting specific criteria.

This overhaul could see former powerhouses like Wasps, Worcester, and London Irish return to the top flight after their financial collapses in 2022-23. Currently, Ealing Trailfinders dominate the Championship but fail to meet stadium requirements for promotion. The last relegation occurred in 2020 when Saracens were penalized for salary cap breaches, and they were the most recent promoted team in 2021.

Under the new model, clubs can apply for Premiership entry based on revamped criteria including financial sustainability, fanbase size, and stadium facilities—not just on-field performance. RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney emphasized the goal of making the Premiership "thriving, exciting and a really interesting place to invest in." The changes aim to collectively raise standards across clubs and attract more investment to English rugby.