I THINK senior county rugby (RFU funded) should be for only players at level 6 and below, plus any player under 21.
Last weekend I watched Lancashire (virtually all National One and National Two) thump Durham (mainly level 5/6 players), while at the same time Yorkshire hammered Northumberland with quite similar team profiles.
By changing the eligibility requirements it would give a more level competition for counties lacking national level clubs and provide more senior clubs the chance to look at emerging talent.
For level 4 and 5, reintroduce the RFU funded Divisional Championship (North, ...