Toulon bid to join Aviva Premiership 'a long shot' says RFU chief
Friday 22 January 2016 16:02, UK
Toulon's ambition of joining the Aviva Premiership has been described as a "long shot" by Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie.
The European champions' owner Mourad Boudjellal contacted Premiership Rugby proposing Toulon quit France's Top 14 because of his frustrations over the way the domestic league is run.
The request is being considered by the English top flight, but any move would require ratification by the RFU and Ritchie says that is unlikely.
"Toulon haven't approached us - I heard about it at the same time as everyone else did on Thursday," Ritchie said. "It was a bolt out of the blue, there weren't any discussions beforehand.
"As I understand it - and I haven't had time to go into gory details - the French authorities will have a view on it as well.
"As far as I'm concerned it's still a hypothetical. You have to reflect on it, but it's fair to say it's a long shot."
Gloucester chief executive Stephen Vaughan does not believe Toulon will be able to play in the Premiership - but says a European league may be feasible in the future.
"It doesn't stack up for a thousand reasons - it wouldn't get sanctioned by the union or the league," Vaughan said.
"It would also throw into question the size of the league and the structure, who would get promoted and relegated, because you couldn't have an extra game from a player welfare perspective.
"There are so many ways in which it couldn't really get off the ground.
"I can't see one overseas club joining an existing league, it would have to be a joining-together of nations as per the PRO12 really.
"What Toulon's position perhaps does show however is the wide appeal that the Premiership can boast."
