Clegg not surprised by RFU proposal

6:44pm Monday 10th November 2008

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Otley’s director of rugby Peter Clegg says there is no great surprise in the Rugby Football Union’s proposal for a fully professional 12-team ‘Second Division’ from next season.

The Championship is set to replace National Division One, which Otley are currently in, and comes after a year of negotiations with First Division Rugby.

The RFU Council is set to discuss the issue on Friday when a final decision on the proposal could be made.

If the plan is ratified, the top 12 sides in Division One this season will get the opportunity to become founder members of the Championship, with participation granted only to those willing to go professional.

If any of those 12 clubs decide not to, their place will be offered to the next highest-ranked side.

The Championship will be funded by £2.3m per annum from the RFU for two years, plus £1m from Premier Rugby for eight years and, from 2010-11, a rights fee share from Sky Sports following their five-year TV deal.

Clegg said: “We have been expecting this news since the season started.

"Our aim is still to finish at the top of the bottom six but we haven’t ruled out going full time.”