Premiership relegation set to be axed mid-season

Relegation from the Premiership is set to be officially scrapped with a vote from the Rugby Football Union Council taking place today, according to numerous reports in England including The Guardian

The voting taking place today is set to approve a proposed expansion to 13 teams from 2021-22.

Sources told the Guardian that the vote is not expected to be unanimous but the unique financial problems caused by the Covid-19 pandemic have tilted the debate in favour of an expansion.

It is also understood that there is a willingness to expand the Premiership to 14 sides for the 2022-23 season, followed by a two-year moratorium on promotion and relegation.

The Championship is supposed to start on 6 March but several sides have already indicated they will be unable to participate this season because of a lack of income and furloughed staff. 

Some teams have even reached out to fans to assist them financially with the likes of Bedford Blues starting a crowdfunder campaign.