PROPOSALS to expand and ring-fence the Aviva Premiership have received the backing of Worcester Warriors’ chief executive Jim O’Toole.
Talks are underway between the RFU and Premiership Rugby over a radical new plan which could see promotion and relegation scrapped from the 2016/17 season.
The move could also work in Warriors’ favour as it is also understood the top flight would be increased to 14 sides, with the Sixways side and Greene King IPA Championship rivals Bristol likely to join the expanded league.
Worcester’s former chief executive, Cecil Duckworth, was an advocate for change as he believed the Premiership should be ring-fenced for three years and it appears his successor O’Toole, who took the helm last month, is also in favour of it.
Speaking in Warriors’ programme for their match against Plymouth Albion on Saturday, O’Toole said the proposed move was a “natural expansion” as professional club rugby enters its third decade.
“The sport has changed dramatically since the momentous decision by the IRB in Paris in 1996 and the potential move to a 14-team top tier for English rugby is part of that long-term progression,” he said.
“The key issues for the clubs who have invested many millions of pounds is the need to build a league with member clubs that are sustainable businesses with a proven infrastructure, organisation and support base.”
Warriors, under the guidance of director of rugby Dean Ryan, are currently in the process of rebuilding their academy and O’Toole said an expanded league would help with the club’s long-term plans.
“An expanded Premiership would offer greater opportunities for young English talent to develop,” he said.
“That is something that is not only good news for the development of the England team, but more importantly for us at Warriors.
“Youth development is at the very heart of our long-term rugby and business planning.
“There will undoubtedly be much debate on the matter on the overall structure of professional rugby and the issue of relegation and promotion.
“We shall watch and listen with much interest as the various stakeholders decide on the future shape of our support.”