RFU reviews promotion system to ease workload

The Rugby Football Union will look again at the issue of promotion and relegation in the Premiership as it considers how to break the logjam over the global season.

Stephen Brown, the chief executive, said all options were being considered as the power-brokers seek a way to restructure the season so that it works for everyone. Several leading players have threatened strike action over mooted proposals to have a 10-month domestic season from September to June.

Brown stated he took those threats “very seriously”, but was confident a solution would be found by the end of the season.

“Our historical view would be the same, that promotion and relegation is the right thing, but if it has to change, and it is for the benefit of the professional game overall, then why would we close our mind to it? The dynamics are changing and we need to fit this season together. It [promotion and relegation] hasn’t changed, but that doesn’t mean it won’t in the future,” said Brown.

“The primary focus is the players. If the sport and the season and the career that they have doesn’t work for them, they’re entitled to take that [strike] action and we take it very seriously.”

Meanwhile, Eddie Jones’s England contract is due to expire after the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Wales have already announced they have a three-man shortlist to replace Warren Gatland when he steps aside at the same juncture. Brown rejected the notion the RFU was lagging behind in its succession planning. “We may not be that far apart actually,” said Brown. “We’re not public yet with our thinking.”