Championship clubs slam RFU over their decision to slash funding

The Rugby Football Union is facing heavy criticism from Championship clubs following their decision to slash funding in the second tier tournament of England rugby.

The 12 Championship clubs which used to get combined £8.060 million will now be forced to share £4.306 next season with Premiership Rugby also confirming a reduction of 50% investment from £1.7m to £850,000 next season and will end it completely from the 2021/22 season.

The decision has not gone well with the Championship clubs, who believe the standard of the second tier competition will go down considerably in the next few years while few fear that a number of rugby players will be without clubs or tend to move overseas because of the move.

Nottingham chairman Alistair Bow slammed the decision of RFU as he believes the governing body has handed the domestic rugby on a plate to Premiership Rugby Limited.

“It’s the RFU saying it doesn’t want the Championship,” Bow said. “The Premiership has had a lot of influence over all the decisions regarding the Championship, certainly for the 10 years I’ve been involved.

"I do strongly believe the actions the RFU has taken have handed PRL everything on a plate and without having to pay a penny for it. The RFU has handed English professional rugby … everything, to the hands of PRL.”

The move could also see PRL promoting its A League as the potential second tier of English rugby leaving future of Championship clubs in uncertainty.