Revamp for Championship

The play-off system in the Championship is to be revamped from next season.

Top four teams to compete in the play-offs

The play-off system in the Championship is to be revamped from next season. The Championship promotion and relegation pool stages have been abolished by the RFU. From next season the top four teams in the second tier will play a two-legged semi-final and a two-legged final. There will be no relegation play-offs at all, with the bottom team automatically demoted to National One. The current system has been in place since 2009 with the aim being increased revenue, but it has come under criticism from the top four clubs - and Bristol in particular. Bristol feel their performances over the whole season were not being sufficiently rewarded. They have twice finished top of the regular season but lost in the play-offs to Exeter and - this year - to Cornish Pirates.