I WAS disappointed not to find any reference to RFU regulation 14 in Ben Jay-cock’s otherwise detailed analysis in The Rugby Paper of prospects for the outcome of the 2026/27 National One competition.
It may well surprise many readers that, under this regulation, up to nine of a National One team’s 20-player matchday squad can be made up of loan or dual-registered players from Premiership clubs.
This provision has the potential for hugely distorting competition by dramatically changing the strength of a club with a close link to a Prem club, depending on how many of the...