The RFU have confirmed the process for promotion from National One to the Championship at the end of the 2021/22 season.

The second tier will revert to a league of 12 clubs, and there are two possible scenarios which will impact National One:

• If the winner of the Championship meets the Minimum Standards Criteria and is promoted to the Premiership, this would leave 10 teams in the Championship meaning the top two clubs from National One will be promoted to the Championship.
• If the winner of the Championship does not meet the Minimum Standards Criteria and therefore is not promoted to the Premiership, this would leave 11 teams in the Championship meaning just the winner of National One will be promoted to the second tier.

This statement from the RFU comes at the halfway point in our season in order to give clarity to the National One clubs who are fighting towards the top of the division.

There has been some speculation in the press as to London Scottish leaving the Championship and playing in the Scottish leagues. The RFU have said there has been no formal application for this and there are no plans for this to happen.

Any further details will be announced in due course.