So London Welsh go up after all?

Good for London Welsh. They accomplished the task they set for themselves, and operated within the framework of professional rugby in England. That includes promotion/relegation, and so there you are. It is a bitter outcome for Newcastle, but it should not be a shock: they also knew the terms.

There are some difficult, even pressing issues facing professional rugby in terms of business models, and it is not entirely clear that they can thrive economically (however much we reckon the quality of the play has improved over amateur days). The experience with association football shows that it is a serious blow financially to be relegated, but it is not at all a one-way ticket to oblivion. The example of Newcastle's football shows this very clearly - a year after regaining their premiership, the Magpies finished 6th this year, and were competing for one of England's guaranteed Champion's League spots until the last two weeks of the season.

The experience with promotion/relegation in football is that the promoted clubs usually, though not always, find the step up in play is a huge ask, and often find themselves back down promptly. Some relegated clubs, especially if they have a sound financial system, come back up quickly, and even thrive. I see no reason why this model should not apply in rugby union, also.

Bad fortune for Newcastle, but it derives form a simple fact: they did not win sufficient games last year. Welsh did. They deserve to go up.

Mark L.

I don't like the format of the Championship personally. 8 teams are vying for promotion in a dodgy play-off system, Bristol have 'won' the league twice in the past three seasons and this season they were 14 points ahead of Welsh having won 4 more games.

I actually think it's good that they have been allowed though, as it would mean fewer clubs could get promoted so clubs in the premiership wouldn't fear relegation, what's the difference between 7th and 12th if neither will get you relegated? In the worst case scenario it could end up like the Stobart Super League where if clubs aren't in the play-offs by round 12 they just forget about that season and start preparing for the next one i.e. Widnes + London Broncos, then it leaves other clubs uncertain of which Broncos/Widnes side they're going to end up playing so it's hard to prepare for those fixtures.

On the other hand, it'll mean that there is no rugby union premiership team in the north of England, there are already 2 clubs in the Premiership with London in their names that don't play in London, a third isn't really needed.

Considering the players Newcastle have developed over the years, Flood, Noon, Tait, Wilkinson, May, Parling, Dowson, Andrew, Underwood then they should be back up soon.

As a Welsh club supporter (Llanelli Scarlets/Wales) I have taken an interest in London Welsh's progress recently. I'm sure Newcastle can come back but again it's all money orientated.

I think the time is ready for a British & Irish Rugby Union league, 2 divisions of 12 teams to include the 4 Welsh regions, Irish and Scottish teams along with the English. All the teams will benefit so much from it.

to be honest im saddened, toward the end of the season newcastle put up some hell of fight, its just they had an extreamly bad start to the season, and london welsh... well my initial thoughts is that they will get domolished by the premier league team that are off a higher caliber, but then again thats wat everyone sed about swansea in the barcleys premier league.

@ NICHOLAS H, your idea of a british and irish league with 2nd and 3rd divisions may sound good to start of with but i promise you your not the only one wit that idea and heres why it wudnt work,

1st, there would be no league for the italians (they may not be the best but they have to play somewhere)

2nd, Irish clubs are probably the best in the world, well capible of beating most super 15 teams, the English would get pissed off and end the whole thing

3rd, since in the pro 12 there is no religation we can put out 2nd tier teams and save the great players for the heineken cup, im and edinburgh man myself and that is exacly what they did whilst the HC was taken place

Lets just stick to the Pro12, everyone already knows its the best league ;)