NEALE HARVEY talks to a New Zealand coaching guru who believes the value of the Championship is vastly underrated

Cornish Pirates rugby director Chris Stirling insists the debate over a 13-team Premiership and promotion play-offs doesn’t bother him as long as the “world-class” Championship remains front and centre of any decisions over the future of English rugby.
Experienced Kiwi Stirling, 56, says the Championship’s track record of developing players for England and the Premiership deserves respect – a view backed by the fact that of Eddie Jones’ curren...