Change would put ‘superb’ Premiership at risk

PREMIERSHIP Rugby commercial director Dominic Hayes insists English rugby will not fall into the Super Rugby trap of expanding beyond its means.

Hayes also reckons calls for the Premiership to take control of the ailing Championship are misguided, but believes promotion and relegation must stay.

High profile figures, led by Bristol chairman Chris Booy, have called for the topflight to increase from 12 to 14 teams with a moratorium on relegation, while others want Premiership Rugby to follow the French in assimilating the second tier.

The Pro12 is on the verge of including two South African teams. However, Hayes told TRP: “When our on-field product is going so well, I’m not sure why we’d want to do either of those things. We want to innovate and strive to develop, as you’re seeing with our involvement in America, but you don’t want to meddle too much with existing structures.”

Super Rugby is on its knees after expanding from 15 to 18 teams, with franchises to be cut and fans deserting in droves.

Hayes said: “It’s not for me to comment on other competitions, but we’ve had five different Premiership winners over the last six years and crowds are up.

“The relegation battle keeps things interesting down there, qualification for Europe occupies the middle of the table and the top four is the pinnacle.

“You have no dead rubbers and if someone had told you ten years ago that Exeter would be champions, you’d have laughed. We have a superb structure and want to ensure it continues.”