London Welsh fail to meet criteria

Wednesday 23 May 2012

Newcastle will remain in the top flight next season after the Rugby Football Union ruled that promotion-chasing London Welsh's ground did not meet Aviva Premiership requirements.

Welsh face Cornish Pirates on Wednesday in the first leg of the Championship final - a match which has now become a meaningless showdown.

The RFU's board of directors ratified findings of a report carried out by independent auditors that identified various failures, including not having primacy of tenure at their nominated Premiership ground - Oxford United's Kassam Stadium.

"The Rugby Football Union's Board of Directors has considered the findings of the independent audit report requested by London Welsh, which determines a club's eligibility for promotion to the Aviva Premiership in line with the Minimum Standards Criteria (MSC)," read a statement issued by the RFU on Wednesday.

"The RFU Board ratified the findings and agreed, should London Welsh win the RFU Championship final following the second leg on May 30, they would not be eligible for promotion and Newcastle Falcons would remain in the Aviva Premiership.

"Cornish Pirates did not choose to have an independent audit of the Mennaye Field and so do not fulfil the criteria for promotion should they win the final. As a result, there will be no promotion from the RFU Championship this season."

London Welsh, who have received the news just hours before their first-leg of the final, have the right to appeal and would be required to do so within fourteen days of this decision.

Newcastle Falcons, who have already announced seven new signings, can look forward to the 2012/13 campaign when Dean Richards will take charge as their director of rugby.