London Welsh disappointed on losing professional rugby status

London Welsh expressed disappointment on Rugby Football Union's (RFU) decision to strip the Championship club of professional rugby status.

RFU's decision to terminate the club from Greene King IPA Championship came after the Exiles failed to convince the board of their financial situation.

Earlier in December, London Welsh chairman Gareth Hawkins announced that the club will enter into voluntary liquidation following which they were granted a temporary license until 21st January to give the creditors more time to decide on the course of action and finding an alternative.

However, with no clarity on the business plan, RFU felt there wasn't anything convincing on London Welsh side to extend the license describing them as "untenable".

In a statement, the club said: "London Welsh is extremely disappointed by the decision (on Tuesday) of the RFU to expel the club from the Greene King IPA Championship.

"The club has worked very closely with Nigel Melville, Ian Ritchie and Angus Bujalski of the RFU for a number of months to meet the criteria for a permanent licence, and the new company (Rugby 1885 Limited) believes that it did satisfy all of the conditions required in RFU regulation 5 and the insolvency protocol.

"The club will begin dealing with the ramifications of (Tuesday's) announcement before deciding whether to respond further."

An RFU statement, issued on Tuesday, read: "Following the appointment of liquidators in December 2016, a temporary licence was granted by the RFU to London Welsh, via a 'Phoenix Entity' to enable participation in the Greene King IPA Championship.

"The licence expired on January 21, 2017.

"The conditions required by the RFU regulations to enable London Welsh to continue to participate in the competition following the expiry of the temporary licence have not been met - despite the RFU granting two extensions to deadlines - and, with regret, London Welsh will no longer be granted permission to play in the Greene King IPA Championship for the remainder of this season and beyond."

RFU further confirmed that there will be no relegation in this season's second tier championship and the winner of National League One will replace London Welsh in next season.

"There will be no relegation from the Greene King IPA Championship this season, in line with RFU regulations," the RFU saud.

"The Greene King IPA Championship will consist of 12 teams next season, including the team promoted by winning National League One."

The board further added that London Welsh's points and the remaining fixtures have been expunged.