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A franchise-style Premiership, with clubs awarded licenses to play on the basis of finances, fanbase and facilities as well as results on the pitch, could begin as soon as next season, says Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney.

Promotion to the Premiership currently depends on the Championship champions meeting minimum standards, including around stadiums and a sustainable business model, before beating the top flight’s bottom side in a two-legged play-off.

Sweeney says he hopes the change will make the Premiership – which lost Wasps, London Irish and Worcester to bankruptcy in the 2022-23 season – more attractive to outside investors.

“Part of that will be a model whereby you qualify for an expansion league in the Premiership, but based on criteria around financial sustainability, fanbase and stadium, not just performance on the field of play.

“It wouldn’t be your traditional one-up, one-down situation, but if you are not meeting certain standards on and off the field you would be eligible to be removed from the league.

“It is possible for this coming season, or it could be the season after that, but we wouldn’t put any limitations on it. “

The change would need the approval of the RFU Council, which represents the wider game and different stakeholders, meaning its introduction for the 2026-27 season is a more likely timeline.

Bath owner Bruce Craig has backed the idea of a franchise league, with clubs’ licences open to review.

The change could pave the way for a resurrected Worcester Warriors to return to the top flight, while Ealing, Coventry and Doncaster all applied to be assessed against the Premiership’s standards this season.

The Premiership consists of 10 teams, down from 13 at the start of the 2022-23 season, and is keen to expand.

Other competitions, such as cricket’s Hundred, have found a lucrative market for stakes in franchise teams free from the threat of relegation.

Sweeney said there was plenty of cause for optimism about the English top flight despite the financial pressures it is under and its teams falling behind other nations in European competition.

TNT Sport are reportedly close to finalising a five-year extension on improved terms to their current television rights agreement.

“We are seeing some great momentum in the Premiership at the moment,” he added.

“In terms of sponsorship, a potential broadcast deal about to be announced, growth in interest from 18-30s and the Premiership final is going to be sold out again with ticket sales ahead of where they were last year.

However, Sweeney, who survived a vote of no confidence by RFU rebels last month, said the game’s finances were unlikely to be bolstered by renting Allianz Stadium to Premier League club Chelsea.

The football club are exploring the possibility of expanding their Stamford Bridge home, six and a half miles from Twickenham, or moving entirely.

An arrangement would suit the RFU which posted record losses in its latest accounts and is planning a redevelopment of its own.

However, the concerns of local residents and Richmond Council, who Sweeney is attempting to persuade to allow more events at the 82,000-capacity venue, are likely to be a formidable obstacle.

“There have been conversations previously about Premier League clubs coming here,” said Sweeney.

“It would be a big financial number, but I know Richmond borough would definitely have a conversation about that.

Meanwhile, England have recruited Bath attack coach Lee Blackett and Sale defence coach Byron McGuigan to join the team’s summer tour of Argentina and the United States.

Blackett, who recently coached England’s A team, fills in for Richard Wigglesworth who has been seconded to the British and Irish Lions for their own tour of Australia.

Sale have produced several notable defensive displays since McGuigan was promoted to defence coach in November, notably beating Bristol 38-0 at Ashton Gate and keeping Saracens to only a score in a 25-7 win on Saturday.

“Lee and Byron both have a mindset and approach to their coaching that very much align with how we want to continue to play,” said head coach Steve Borthwick.

At a combined age of 99, two of snooker’s all-time greats go head-to-head on Tuesday as John Higgins takes on Mark Williams with a place in the World Championship semi-finals up for grabs.

The sport’s legendary ‘Class of 92’, with Ronnie O’Sullivan completing the trio, have won 14 world titles between them – and are all still going strong this year.

Williams turned 50 last month, Higgins reaches his half century 13 days after this year’s final with O’Sullivan celebrating his 50th birthday in December.

But they have again proved that age is just a number.

Williams has become the oldest man to reach the last eight at the Crucible since six-time winner Steve Davis did so at the age of 52 back in 2010.

But one of Williams’ oldest opponents stands in his way.

“Twenty years ago, we were really big rivals – now we walk into the practice room and we give each other a nod as if to say: ‘How are we still here competing with everybody? ‘” said Higgins.

It is a sentiment Williams agrees with.

“Normally the older you get, the worse you get,” he said. “Your eyes are going, everything is going and your stamina drops a bit and you get tired a lot more easier.

With O’Sullivan in the opposite half of the draw a final between two of the ‘Class of 92’, named after the year they turned professional, is a real possibility.

“If one of those three players was to win the World Championship, maybe beat a young whippersnapper in the final, what an achievement that would be. Maybe their best ever achievement,” said Davis.

Fifteen years ago, Davis defeated Mark King 10-9 in the Crucible first round, won 13-11 against a then-34-year-old Higgins, the reigning champion, before losing 13-5 to eventual winner Neil Robertson in the last eight.

“It was a fantastic buzz, I maybe ran out of belief,” recalled Davis.

The trio’s achievements are legendary. O’Sullivan has seven world titles, Higgins four and Williams three.

If any of them lift the trophy on Monday, 5 May, they would become the oldest winner in the modern era, breaking O’Sullivan’s record when he won it three years ago, aged 46.

Thirty-three years ago they were all hungry, driven, talented teenagers with the desire to reach the top.

Williams described how he first met Higgins at the final of an event in 1990, when they were both 15.

“We played in the final and he beat me,” said the Welshman. “It was live on TV and he beat me 6-1, he had five grand for a win, I had three grand for runner-up.

“We then played in the British Under-16s in Birmingham and I thrashed him 4-0 after 50 minutes and I got 200 quid so I was a week late.

“That was the first time I really remembered John as it was me and O’Sullivan playing in all the junior events when we were 13 and 14. “

Williams and Higgins have their own Crucible history and have met five times, with four victories for Williams, including an 18-16 success in an epic showdown in the 2018 final.

Ken Doherty, the 1997 world champion, played against the ‘Class of 92’ throughout his career and felt this match was “the tie of the round”.

“They’ve been at the top of the game since 1992, 33 years, and are still at the top and still producing,” the Irishman said.

“As you get older it becomes a lot more difficult as players like me, Stephen Hendry, Alan McManus, Peter Ebdon have all found out. It’s hard to cope in terms of tension, intensity and also to be able to devote your life to the game.

“You become a father, a family man and it’s hard to dedicate themselves to the game but they still have the appetite, willingness and hunger and that’s an incredible talent as well.

“I’ve been logging heads with them for 30 years. I’ve beaten them all but also lost to them all in big finals. I just had great times playing them and you used to relish it as it was a great test of your own game. “

Doherty, who is part of the BBC TV team for the competition, felt the atmosphere would be electric.

“When you see them coming into the Crucible for their match they will get a standing ovation as they did in the Masters,” he added. “We might not see the kind of these three again so we have to enjoy them while we can. They’ve given the sport great entertainment, great matches and are still delivering. “

Shaun Murphy tipped Judd Trump, who beat him 13-10 on Monday, to win the title but thought the Williams-Higgins clash would be “fabulous for the sport”.

He added: “The Class of 92 are three of the best players we’ve ever seen and it’s wonderful we still get to watch them.

World number one Trump will play the winner of Williams-Higgins in the semi-final if he triumphs in his own quarter-final against Luca Brecel.

Trump felt the veteran trio would continue to feature at the top level for years to come.

“They inspired me a little bit, especially Ronnie and John when I younger,” said Trump. “Ronnie was someone I really looked up to. They’re miles away from retiring and not far from their absolute best.

“When I played Williams in the semi-finals (when Trump won a final-frame decider for a 17-16 win in 2022) I’ve never seen him play like that.

Arsenal are keen on signing Christopher Nkunku from Chelsea who are plotting a move for Jamie Gittens, Everton want to re-sign Richarlison, Paul Pogba eyes a return with DC United, plus more.

class=”ssrcss-1xjjfut-BoldText e5tfeyi3″>Arsenal are considering a move for out-of-favour class=”ssrcss-1xjjfut-BoldText e5tfeyi3″>Chelsea and France forward Christopher Nkunku, 27, as Mikel Arteta looks to add more attacking options this summer. (Teamtalk)

DC United have been in contract talks for months with 32-year-old former Manchester United, Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba, who has not played for 20 months. (Washington Post – subscription needed)

Premier League champions Liverpool are set to invest heavily in their squad during the summer, with a centre-forward and left-back their priorities. (Telegraph – subscription required)

Chelsea are planning a move for Borussia Dortmund’s English winger Jamie Gittens, 20, before the Club World Cup – and it is possible they could sell England forward Jadon Sancho, 25, to the German club as part of the deal. Sancho is currently on loan at Stamford Bridge from Manchester United – but the Blues have an obligation to make the deal permanent. (Teamtalk)

Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay says Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi’s future will be resolved in June. The Gunners look ready to formally trigger the 26-year-old Spain midfielder’s £51m release clause. (Radio Marca Donostia, via Mirror)

Everton have made Tottenham Hotspur and Brazil player Richarlison, 27, their first-choice forward target this summer. (Givemesport)

Newcastle’s English midfielder Sean Longstaff, 27, is a target for Leeds United. (i Paper)

Spurs will have to sell players to make funds available for new signings this summer. (Telegraph – subscription required)

Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe is flying to the UK to hold talks over the future of manager Daniel Farke. (Guardian)

Fulham are interested in signing 28-year-old England full-back Kyle Walker-Peters on a free transfer when his Southampton contract expires this summer. (Sky Sports)

Arsenal are ready to open discussions with the agent of Sporting and Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres, 26, about a summer move. (Givemesport – subscription needed)

Real Betis might struggle to meet Manchester United’s asking price for Brazil winger Antony despite the La Liga club’s chief insisting they want to make the 25-year-old’s loan move permanent. (Mirror)

Manchester United are still interested in signing Napoli and Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, 26, but there are concerns about a deal at Old Trafford. (TBF Football)

Everton are in talks with Senegal midfielder Idrissa Gueye, 35, over a new contract. (Football Insider)