Report: Premiership may implement two-year halt on relegation with an expansion expected

Premiership Rugby could be ring-fenced for the next two seasons according to a report by the Guardian.

The pause on relegation could be followed by the introduction of a play‑off between the Premiership’s bottom side and the winners of the Championship is among the options being explored by top-flight clubs amid the continued impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the Rugby Paper, some clubs have sought legal action and are confident of mounting a successful challenge if they were to go down this season as a result of Covid‑affected results.

Well-placed sources have told the Guardian that pausing relegation for two seasons, to provide an added element of security in the early stages of the post-pandemic landscape, is among a number of ideas clubs are investigating to avoid financial ruin that would come with relegation.

This could lead to the Premiership consisting of 13 teams next season with the following season expanding the top flight to 14 teams – after promotion but no relegation – with a play-off at the end of that campaign.

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