LOSSES of £21.1m, dependency on benefactors, excessively high wages for players, at most only 13 clubs capable of continuing in business in the Premiership and a Championship unloved, unsupported and drifting into obscurity – these are some of the problems currently facing professional rugby.
The solution is for the Premiership and RFU to take joint responsibility for creating a fully supported 24 club professional league with relegation and promotion, a reduced Premiership salary cap, a limit on non EQ players and a meaningful cup competition.
The second tier would then provide...