IPL-style Premiership revamp suggested by Bath owner

Scrapping relegation and relaunching the Premiership as a collection of centrally licenced franchises, similar to cricket's Indian Premier League, would bring investment and stability to the tournament, says Bath owner Bruce Craig.

Major changes to the top flight are being considered by English rugby's powerbrokers after Wasps, Worcester and London Irish's bankruptcies knocked confidence and dented finances among elite clubs.

Cash-strapped Newcastle, who are bottom of the table this campaign, have been up for sale since November, while every club in the league operates at a loss.

Craig believes the threat of dropping into the second tier, which operates on far smaller budgets and income, deters fresh investment and tempts current owners into unsustainable spending.

"The instability it breeds has led to short-term decision making, investor uncertainty, and, in a number of cases, financial ruin," Craig told the Times., external

"Persisting with a system that restricts investment and prevents long-term growth is no longer an option

"Under a new franchise system, clubs will no longer be forced to gamble their future for short-term survival. Instead, they can focus on building a robust, sustainable, and commercially attractive sport that engages fans across the country."

Such a radical change would require approval from the Rugby Football Union Council, whose 62 members represent the wider game, however the organisation's leadership is open to innovative ideas to grow the sport.

Any move to a franchise model is unlikely to be implemented imminently though.

Licences for a revamped Premiership, which could be time-limited, reviewed and potentially revoked, may be a route to gradually expanding the number of teams competing.

The division consists of 10 clubs, but had plans to expand to 14 teams before Wasps, Worcester and London Irish went out of business.

Promotion and relegation between the Premiership and Championship was paused in February 2021 because of uncertainty caused by the Covid pandemic.

Although the link between the divisions was, in theory, restored this season, only Doncaster Knights were judged to have met the Premiership's minimum criteria around facilities and finances, with no other side eligible to contest a two-legged play-off against the top-flight's bottom side.

Doncaster, however, are sixth and out of the running for the Championship title.

Leaders Ealing Trailfinders and fourth-placed Coventry – the other two clubs to apply to be assessed – were judged to lack sufficiently solid plans for expansion of their home grounds in an independent audit.

Coventry chief executive Jon Sharp has said his club would be interested in the franchise route, , externalwhile expressing concerns that the model could shut out other sides with ambitions to compete at the highest level.

Worcester, restored under new ownership, are set to return to an expanded Championship next season, while Wasps and London Irish also have aspirations to return to the top level after being bought out of administration.

Multi-millionaire Craig bought Bath in 2010, but has only recently seen his heavy investment pay out in a sustained challenge at the top of the table.

Last season, Bath lost out to Northampton in their first Premiership final appearance in nine years. They are 15 points clear at the top of this season's standings and into the European Challenge Cup semi-finals.

"This is not about self-interest," he added.

"It is an acceptance of the perilous state today of English club rugby. It is about aligning club rugby in this country with the world's strongest sports competitions, almost all of which use an expansion model rather than a system that deters investment through the constant threat of relegation."