Newcastle Falcons accept their Championship fate

Championship winners London Welsh successfully appealed the RFU’s decision to block their promotion last week, which meant the Falcons were condemned to relegation after finishing bottom of the Aviva Premiership.

A statement on the club website read: “Newcastle Falcons confirm there will be no appeal of the decision made by the independent panel to uphold London Welsh’s appeal and relegate the Falcons to the Championship.

“We are now looking forward to an exciting new era under the guidance of incoming director of rugby Dean Richards.”

London Welsh were initially denied promotion because they did not meet the requirement for primacy of tenure after having arranged to play at Oxford United’s Kassam Stadium. Welsh argued that the rule breached UK and European competition law, and the independent panel ruled in their favour.

The ruling means the Falcons will represent a stern challenge for the likes of Leeds Carnegie, Rotherham Titans and Doncaster Knights in the Championship next season as all three teams look to improve upon last year’s mid-table finishes.