Ealing fail to meet Premiership promotion criteria

After Championship league leaders Ealing Trailfinders failed the minimum standards standards, there will be no promotion or relegation between English rugby’s top tiers this season.

The Trailfinders applied for promotion and the chance to face the Premiership team in a play-off, which Trailfinders currently hold a 13-point lead over the leaders.

However, Ealing was denied both assurances about safety compliance and ground capacity due to the Rugby Football Union (RFU)’s announcement.

Although third-placed Coventry also failed the minimum standards, Doncaster Knights are now 29 points adrift of Trailfinders in eighth place.

It is looking for additional funding to be able to finish the Premiership’s bottom team’s campaign despite being in a precarious position against the Newcastle Falcons.

The RFU has adamant that they will continue to support aspirational clubs, but this is yet another setback for Trailfinders as they attempt to join English rugby’s elite.

According to Mike McTighe, Chair of the Men’s Professional Rugby Board, “We know how hard those clubs with aspirations to join the Premiership are working to both ensure they have the necessary infrastructure to support themselves and generate the necessary investment to sustain that league.”

The minimum requirements were changed in June last year to allow clubs to reach the 10-person capacity over the course of four seasons.

The RFU acknowledge that this hasn’t had the desired impact, despite the expectation that more Championship clubs will be able to accommodate the required stadium size.