Birmingham & Solihull's hopes of avoiding relegation from the Championship have been hit by a two-point deduction for the play-offs.

The penalty was handed down by the Rugby Football Union after the Bees fielded an ineligible player.

The club accepted that George Thomas was not registered before facing the Doncaster Knights on February 17.

"We accept the breach was unintentional but it was an offence," said the RFU's competitions director Terry Burwell.

He added: "The recommended starting point sanction is a minimum two points deduction.

"Having considered the issue we did not feel it relevant to impose the penalty for Stage One of the season.

"But a two-point deduction from Stage Two was appropriate given the 30 points available from the six matches."

Birmingham & Solihull have 14 days to appeal against the decision.

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