Looking at the RFU Championship semi-finals, London Welsh and Bedford both have significant leads, but neither has a grounds which will meet the requirements for promotion. So unless Bristol pulls off a miracle, Newcastle get to stay in the Premiership anyway?Looking at the RFU Championship semi-finals, London Welsh and Bedford both have significant leads, but neither has a grounds which will meet the requirements for promotion. So unless Bristol pulls off a miracle, Newcastle get to stay in the Premiership anyway?

It seems so. Whether this is a good idea is very much dependent on point of view. As a matter of competitive rugby, I like relegation/promotion schemes. But in an age of professionalisation of the game, it is very hard to implement on an absolute basis without commercially penalizing the teams who manage to stay out of relegation danger. So, if we are operating in a professional world, where will the RFU go - to penalize Newcastle or Bedford? It's a conundrum. Mark L

Newcastle will stay up, Bristol need 22 points to be promoted or whatever happens after they win, wasps could also be in danger though as I have heard they could be going into administation and will automatically forfeit.

IMO relegation is an archaic model. The American system has been shown to be the best financially.