RFU CHAMPIONSHIP clubs will from next season be funded only for producing English Qualified Players.     

The scheme, similar to that in the Aviva Premiership, will see the 12 clubs receive their share of £2.3m from the Rugby Football Union if they have an average of 14 EQPs in their 22-man match day squad over the season. This will rise to 15 in 2012-13 and 16 in 2013-14.  

In addition, the clubs will receive a further payment under the terms of the eight-year RFU agreement with the PRL, funding from the RFU under its five-year broadcasting agreement with Sky, while the RFU will also under-write £250,000 worth of sponsorship for the Championship clubs while continuing to assist in finding a sponsor for the league. In total, the RFU Championship clubs will receive over £300,000 in central funding on top of their own revenue streams and sponsorship investments.

RFU Chief Executive John Steele added: “We recognise that these are hard economic times for all rugby clubs which is why, in the absence of a sponsor, despite ours and the club’s own efforts to secure one, we have agreed to support the RFU Championship with additional funding.

“This means that the RFU is now delivering all the investment promised in the original agreement and we hope that this, along with the additional money from Sky’s coverage, and the increased exposure that brings, will help clubs to develop their businesses.”

The structure for the 2011-12 season has also been agreed with the clubs who voted by a majority to continue with the current play off structure. The season will kick off on the weekend of September 3 and include a two-legged semi final for the first time.

The British & Irish Cup structure has also been agreed with the Welsh, Scottish and Irish unions which will see six pools of four teams play across groups in the same format as the LV= Cup.

Championship structure  2011-12

• Stage 1 of 22 weeks starting September 3, 2011
• Stage 2 play-offs of 6 weeks for top eight and bottom four
• 1 reserve weekend for postponed matches
• 1 blank weekend between Stage 1 Round 22 and play-off Round 1
• Semi-finals staged over 2 legs
• Final staged over two legs

 British & Irish Cup structure 2011-12

• Played over 7 weekends
• Structure to follow LV= Cup format i.e. 6 pools of 4 teams and each team will play the 4 teams of their neighbouring pool giving 4 pool matches (2 home, 2 away)
• Each pool to consist of 2 RFU Championship clubs, 1 Welsh Principality club, 1 Irish province or Scottish club
• All-Championship ties played mid-week
• Quarter-finalists will be 6 pool winners plus 2 best runners-up
• Semi-finals staged over 1 leg
• Final staged over 1 leg