RFU to tackle League One changes

The RFU will meet on Friday to decide National One's fate

The Rugby Football Union is meeting on Friday to decide on key proposals for changes to National League One.

The meeting comes as First Division Rugby, the league's representative body, has voiced concerns over finances and the speed of the outlined plans.

"We have no issue with the concept," FDR chairman Geoff Irvine told BBC London 94.9.

"We just believe that with any business deal the devil is in the detail... and the detail is not resolved."

In late October, the RFU revealed proposals for transforming National League One as a league that could work as a professional division, supporting the Premiership, with the winner promoted to the top tier via play-offs.

Asking most NL1 clubs to accept the current RFU proposals with no confirmed additional fixtures, sponsors or adequate finance in place is asking them to commit financial suicide

First Division Rugby statement

Part of the deal would also see National One reduced from 16 to 12 clubs, a proposal that has received a mixed reaction.

In a statement on National League One's website, the FDR says: "If the RFU really wishes to establish a second fully professional league, it should not expect the clubs to meet the costs of such development without significant financial support.

"If this support for the development of the game is not forthcoming from the RFU, most NL1 clubs will not be able to contemplate undertaking the changes necessary to achieve fully professional status.

"Asking most NL1 clubs to accept the current RFU proposals with no confirmed additional fixtures, sponsors or adequate finance in place is asking them to commit financial suicide."

Yet RFU chairman Martyn Thomas told BBC London 94.9: "There is no more money available from the RFU."

The RFU shocked many involved in the debate when they released a statement on behalf of just six of the 16 National One clubs who support the RFU proposals.

606: DEBATE

How should the future of National League One look?

The minority group includes London Welsh, whose chief executive Peter Thomas said: "We just used the RFU's resources to get the information released to the press because, if I'm honest, I'm not sure we could get it done through the FDR."

When asked whether he had concerns over the speed of the decision-making process, he added: "We've been talking about this for an awful long time.

"I know some clubs say it's been rushed into, but the reason London Welsh made the changes it made this year was because we knew the changes were coming."

On the subject of the RFU releasing a press statement on behalf of six of the FDR clubs, Irvine said: "I was a little surprised the RFU should use their resources to publicise the problems with six clubs.

"I'm elected, and my mandate was to represent the interests of the majority of the clubs and that's what I'm trying to do."