Aviva Premiership
RFU may abandon minimum standards
ESPN Staff
July 2, 2012
London Welsh skipper Jon Mills lifts the Championship trophy, London Welsh v Cornish Pirates, RFU Championship final second leg, Kassam Stadium, Oxford, England, May 30, 2012
London Welsh's promotion may force further changes © PA Photos
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London Welsh's appeal victory last Friday may pave the way for changes to regulations over minimum standards.

The Exiles won their appeal against the decision to block their promotion to the Aviva Premiership with an independent panel overturning the RFU's initial decision. It is expected that Premiership Rugby will review the panel's judgement on Monday, but Geoff Irvine, chairman of the Championship clubs says it is time for change.

"The decision brings into question the whole principle of the criteria," Irvine told the Daily Telegraph. "Forget the primacy of tenure. What I hope will come out of this is a pure and simple thing - whoever wins the Championship will be promoted, warts and all.

"Instead of Premiership Rugby trying to denigrate them because they haven't got their facilities right, they should give the clubs some time to get their facilities in order and also try to help them do it.

"This decision is a great step forward for English rugby and I hope it is accepted in the spirit it was intended."

Newcastle are also expected to announce on Monday whether they will launch legal action over their subsequent relegation.

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