It’s a dilemma: Kill aspiration to save great old clubs?

RUGBY is now a game of the 21st century and has evolved as such. We in England are in the hands of money men who keep an eye on the bottom line. Ring- fencing has been under discussion for several years and there is no solution as yet.

Due to Covid and attendant cash flow problems, there is now a distinct possibility that some Premiership clubs may go out of business.

There is an opportunity to resolve the problem for the next two or three seasons if a temporary moratorium on relegation could be agreed.

This moratorium should have an agreed time limit and then promotion and relegation in some form would be reintroduced.

The immediate problem then would concern the place of Saracens. Pundits suggest a 13leam league. The question is what would happen if, say Ealing, won the Championship.

Saracens are one of the 13 Prem stakeholders and Ealing are not. A simple solution would then be a 14-team league. This should give the brains that run the game a chance to talk some more.

After games are back to playing before crowds several of the Premiership clubs will be in a perilous financial position and should be helped. Security of Premiership position is one such way. We must also remember that the principal backer of the game in England are the RFU. They, too, are in great difficulties.

The only truly successful promotee is, of course, Exeter. Do we want to give the promotion aspirants that hope or do we want see great old clubs disappear?