A championship play-off involving the top eight teams in the Principality Premiership is set to be introduced by the Welsh Rugby Union for 2009/10.

Four rounds of games will determine the winner, with the top six clubs making the next season's British and Irish Cup subject to meeting standards criteria.

The new system is expected to be ratified at a meeting of the full WRU board on Thursday.

The regular league season is expected to be over by 10 April.

In round one of the play-offs, which will probably be played on Tuesday, 27 April, home advantage will go to the highest-placed clubs from the regular season.

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The plan is for the quarter-finals to take place on neutral grounds, with venues to be confirmed, the final expected to be on 23 May.

The new format will form part of a revamped end of season, the semi-finals of the reorganised Swalec Cup set for 17 April.

The British and Irish Cup semi-finals will be on the weekend of 24 April.

"Our stated aim is to be player centred, development driven and competition supported," said WRU head of rugby performance and development.

It's an exciting time for the Premier clubs at the moment Chris Clarke

"In designing this incredibly competitive end of season for the Principality Premiership we are certainly achieving those aims.

"It all creates an edge which will ensure fierce competition and give the supporters the mouth-watering prospect of seeing some tremendous rugby action.

"We have promised to drive the Principality Premiership forward and the league and cup structure this coming season will benefit the development of the game at the semi-professional level in Wales."

Chairman of the Premier Clubs, Chris Clarke added: "It's an exciting time for the Premier clubs at the moment."

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