AS Jeff Probyn wrote last week, if Ed Griffiths' comprehensive proposals for the future of England’s second tier are to have a chance of success, they will need the RFU’s agreement to a Heartland XV playing fixtures against second tier national teams - and retaining the TV and other commercial revenues arising from them.
Were such agreement to be forthcoming, I could see exciting possibilities for a powerful and sustainable Level 2 as the professional/ semi-professional head of the National League pyramid below, as Jeff suggests.
Concerns have been expressed at the formalisation...