Wasps said in a statement earlier this week that they had secured "sustainable finance" and a suitable home stadium, adding: "All we are waiting for is a competition to join that will allow us to compete at the highest level - and one that shares our values."
Sharp says that the existing Championship clubs made it very clear to the RFU at a meeting a few weeks ago that Wasps, or another franchise-style team, would not be welcome in the second-tier without having earned their place on merit.
"Looking at it as a non-partisan person, I read the statement and it said, okay, we've funding, we've now got a stadium, please send us some money. I thought that was a bit odd. Without knowing more details about the stadium and the funding, I don't think I would be pledging any money, personally," Sharp said.
"The more intriguing part of the statement is there at the end - the club is looking at the importance of joining a competition that aligns with its values and aspirations. I think that suggests they are looking at the URC.
One of the things we very clearly said to the RFU when we went down there mob-handed a few weeks ago is that we all believe in meritocracy and we do not accept the concept of a franchise where anyone can be shoe-horned into this league without getting there by promotion.
"We further said, as we always do, that promotion at both ends of the Championship is sacrosanct. To change that would undermine all the principles of what English rugby stands for.
Denne historien er fra March 03, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra March 03, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
England show who's No.1
ENGLAND women’s head coach John Mitchell says his side will take valuable lessons from the 24-12 win over world champions New Zealand as they build towards their WXV1 title defence.
Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it
THE Cherry and Whites are the enigmas of the Premiership.
Looking to go one step beyond this time around
NE small step is what it will take for Bath to go one better than last season and secure the Premiership for the first time, but it would be one of the biggest taken by the club in the professional era.
Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin
ENGLAND women opened the Allianz Stadium era at HQ with a victory over New Zealand to make it 17 wins on the bounce before their WXV title defence.
Time for Borthwick to prove his worth
HONEYMOON periods are not set in stone and in my estimation Steve Borthwick’s ends this summer. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still in good shape.
Barrington ready to power up the Mob
RICHARD Barrington has signed up to the Ampthill “Mob” reassured that he’ll still have a target on his back most weeks.
Skivington keen to build identity
GLOUCESTER won their first trophy for nine years last season and reached the Challenge Cup final, but when George Skivington went on holiday the day after the campaign ended the words in his head were never again.
Roebuck targets England success
WINNING a maiden England Test cap to top the best season of his career will not be enough for Sale winger Tom Roebuck.
Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving
TOBY Booth admits telling his Ospreys players that he would be leaving at the end of the season was one of the hardest things he has had to do in his career.
Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals
DORKING had to dig deep in another tight game between two old rivals, with the lead changing hands twice and result in doubt right up to the final whistle.
