As things stand, Championship clubs not only have to win the league but also have a 5,000-capacity home ground, with planning permission to be able to accommodate double that number of spectators the year after.
However, that year-two figure could drop to 7,500, concessions also with made around the number of seats required, if second-tier clubs get their way. A well-placed source told The Rugby Paper: "Nothing is confirmed yet but that is the direction of travel."
Championship clubs met on Thursday morning in the hope of making further progress in their negotiations with the RFU/PRL. However, a number of outstanding issues have to be resolved and it seems highly unlikely that an announcement will be made until after the Easter holidays.
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