Plans are progressing for the English Premiership to become a standalone, ring-fenced expansion league from the 2029-30 season.

The Times understands that the RFU, Premiership Rugby and Championship Rugby are working together on a proposal that would see the top flight break away from the traditional English pyramid.

Discussions around a franchise-style model gathered pace after promotion and relegation were effectively frozen during lockdown.

Supporters of the move believe a ring-fenced league would offer financial security to club owners and investors, removing the risk of relegation into the Championship.

Bath owner Bruce Craig has previously argued that such a model is essential for the long-term sustainability of professional rugby in England, with one source noting investors “don’t want to risk it all on the pitch”.

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Under the proposal, the new competition would begin with the current 10 Premiership clubs. Future expansion teams would be selected on commercial strength, brand value and geography, rather than automatic promotion. Expressions of interest could be invited in 2027 to allow sufficient preparation ahead of the 2029-30 launch.

Exeter Chiefs chairman Tony Rowe confirmed a four-year timeline while revealing the club is seeking new investment after posting an after-tax loss of £10.3-million (R228-million).

“We’re at a stage now where we’ve got to move on, the club’s got to move on, we’re looking for an investor,” Rowe told the BBC. “It will need a bit of money over the next two or three years until we get to franchise, which is likely to be in the next four years.”

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RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney has voiced support for the franchise model, while the Championship has criticised the idea as “anti-sport”.

Any change would require RFU council approval, with a proposal potentially tabled as early as next month.

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