Bath owner proposes IPL-style revamp of Premiership Rugby

Premiership Rugby could be in for a radical transformation if Bath owner Bruce Craig's proposal to adopt a franchise-based model gains traction.

Suggesting the league should follow the lead of other global sporting competitions, Craig has called for the scrapping of promotion and relegation in favour of a ring-fenced structure inspired by the Indian Premier League (IPL) and rugby league's Super League.

Craig outlined a bold vision for English club rugby that centres around stabilising club finances and increasing investor confidence.

Rather than operate under the traditional model that risks relegation, clubs would be assessed against a set of franchise criteria. These would include on-field performance, financial robustness, community work, stadium quality, and fan engagement.

“Scrapping relegation and relaunching the league on a franchise basis, as rugby league did successfully with Super League and cricket with the Indian Premier League, will bring in new investment and new thinking,” said Craig.

“Franchises will be lost if a club is not competitive or does not meet the minimum standards set by the league.”

This model would provide certainty to investors, who are often hesitant to pour funds into a club at risk of losing its Premiership status.

Craig’s plan would allow clubs to focus on long-term development—both on and off the field—without the disruption of relegation.

The proposed system would preserve competitiveness by holding franchises accountable to rigorous standards. Those failing to meet the benchmarks could be replaced, ensuring clubs cannot afford to stagnate, even without the threat of relegation.

While the idea has found some support within the Rugby Football Union’s executive wing, it is likely to face opposition from more traditional quarters. Championship clubs, which rely on the promise of promotion, may resist a move that effectively locks them out of the top tier.