RADICAL plans by the Rugby Football Union to streamline National One to 12 teams from next season could signal the end of second-tier rugby for one of Yorkshire's leading clubs.

Otley may find themselves forced out of English rugby's top 24 clubs unless the RFU provide enough central funding to help them operate as a professional club.

The RFU, under guidelines set out last November, will further discuss ways to slash the existing National One from 16 teams to 12 at their monthly council meeting tomorrow, with a final decision on the way forward expected before the end of the year.

First Division Rugby (FDR), a board comprising representatives of the 16 clubs, meets on October 22 to vote on the proposals, but the game's governing body remain steadfast in their aim to strengthen the English game at both club and country level while creating a long-term structure for continued success for the entire national game.

That translates to a more professional 12-team second tier at club level, which they plan to introduce as early as next season by relegating five clubs and promoting the champions of National Two.

An RFU spokesman told the Yorkshire Post that if semi-professional clubs like Otley finished in the top 11 this season on merit – they are 11th after five games – then they would have no qualms about allowing them to play in the new National One next season, but over time those clubs would have to become professional outfits.

He said: "They would be fine qualifying for the top 12, regardless of the fact that they aren't professional.

"However, we would expect them to move towards professional status – that would be the required progress."

Once the restructure comes into effect, the RFU will be able to spread central funding between 12 clubs rather than 16, but that only amounts to £50,000 per club.

The RFU also hope to raise revenue with a new television deal with either Sky or Setanta and make up lost fixtures for the clubs by introducing an Anglo-Welsh Cup.

Even an expansion to the European Challenge Cup has been mooted.

Professional clubs like Leeds Carnegie and Doncaster Knights welcome the proposals but for clubs like Otley, who are opposed to the restructure, transforming into a professional outfit would be dependent on a much higher offer of central funding.

"The deal being offered to FDR (by the RFU) is derisory," said Otley chairman Paul Jaques. "If the new second tier was to be properly funded then it wouldn't be a problem. But at the moment there is no extra money.

"With increased funding, we could exist professionally, we have huge potential."

But he warned: "All professional status is going to result in is more foreign players who are not good enough for the Premiership, filtering into the the first division. And that does nothing for the quality of the English game."

The loss of four home league fixtures would further diminish revenue, with Jaques adding that it is 'hard to believe' they will come up with any meaningful fixtures in an Anglo-Welsh competition.

Rotherham Titans lost their professional Premiership status with relegation four years ago, but are bullish they can qualify for a reduced National One on merit next season, and have retained enough remnants of professionalism to remain there.

Chief executive Allan McHale said: "There are a lot of grey areas over the definition of what a professional club is.

"We have a squad of 40 contracted players, we train as often as any full-time club and have professional coaches.

"It will all come down to whatever definition the RFU want to put on professional status."

Rotherham also have a long-term plan to move into a community stadium with Rotherham United Football Club, with a council initiative set to come to fruition in the next four years.

Professional clubs already in National One stand to benefit from a 12-team league, but to enhance the strength of the competition they want certain standards to be attained.

"We are in support of a 12-team competition," said Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington, "but with minimum standards.

"To get into the Premiership we have to meet certain criteria set by the RFU with regards to facilities. Similar criteria would be required in a 12-team first division, otherwise there would be no point. But we do think it would improve standards in the league."

Doncaster chief executive John Lowe is also backing the move, provided the RFU plug the fixture gap. "We are in favour of a 12-team league providing there is a guarantee there will be a minimum of 15 home fixtures in the season," he said.


First division shake-up proposal

In November, 2007 the RFU publicly announced a new eight-year agreement with the aim of building on England's position as one of the leaders of the game at both club and country level while creating a long-term structure for continued success.

The RFU want FDR (First Division Rugby) to produce a plan, in consultation with the RFU and for the RFU's approval, to reduce the size of their division to 12 clubs within a reasonable time period – the target season being 2009-10.

Over time, that division would move towards being fully professional, meaning the top two divisions of 24 clubs would be entirely professional, with the second tier providing a more full-time and efficient support to the Premiership.

For

Leeds Carnegie – Gary Hetherington: "In principle we are in support of a 12-team competition. We think it could lead to improved overall standards."

Doncaster Knights – John Lowe: "We are in favour of a 12-team league providing there is a guarantee there will be a minimum of 15 home fixtures in the season."

Against

Otley – Paul Jaques: "We are totally against it, the deal being offered to First Division Rugby is derisory."

On the Fence

Rotherham Titans – Allan McHale: "Something as significant as this should be planned thoroughly and phased over a reasonable period (even two years) rather than being rushed through immediately with so many unanswered questions."