Rival Championship clubs are calling for Ealing and Jersey to be given a chance in the Premiership next year, with both sides unbeaten in the league.
Nottingham director of rugby Craig Hammond and Hartpury counterpart Mark Cornwell argue that the RFU and the Premiership should look differently at the second tier and be more open with promotion and relegation.
Nottingham and Hartpury have both been comfortably beaten by the Championship's top two in recent weeks and firmly believe, with Wasps and Worcester being relegated, it presents the perfect opportunity to allow both Ealing and Jersey to go up for next season.
Hammond, told The Rugby Paper: “They are Premiership squads, make no mistake, you only have to watch Ealing or Jersey for a full 80 minutes.
“If they've got the backers and the money, which it appears they both have, they will be ok – they can deal with the set-piece and can handle getting promoted.
“Ealing have a massive squad, lots of money, a great ground with good facilities. When you fly over to Jersey, the Reds have come a long way and have great support down there on the island.
“Jersey and Ealing really are Premiership quality now, so it would help us all in the Championship if they did go up, and it could end this myth that the best Champ teams can't compete with the Premiership sides.”
Kiwi Hammond, previously Hong Kong head coach, believes that if the RFU don't relent, it could make for a strange time in Tier 2 next season.
He added: “If the RFU don't allow promotion then we could be looking at next season having both, plus Wasps and Worcester, it will be like four Premiership-quality clubs, making the Champ as a league almost as tough as the Premiership, especially for parttime sides like little us at Lady Bay.
“The RFU need to change their approach, it'll be good if they allowed both up, and level things up after last season. But we can only talk, it's up to the key people at the RFU to make the big decisions, but I'd like to see them get a better hold of things for all of us.”
Hartpury's Mark Cornwell is impressed with how both Ealing and Jersey have closed the gap to the Premiership despite the RFU's funding drop.
The ex-Gloucester forward said: “Ealing and Jersey have moved on from the level the likes of us at Hartpury are at, and that's so impressive.
“They are at the top of the division and it will be between Ealing and Jersey on who goes up. I can't pick it between the two. With Jersey's forwards and Ealing's width and backline, it'll be the match to watch.
“There's still a gap in my mind between them now and the Premiership, but they are closing it and more ready than any before to make that final step.
“There are rumours the RFU are changing their mind on the ground capacity issue and taking their head out of the sand. For the good of the game and everyone, they need to.”
