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RFU statement: Doncaster eligible for Gallagher Premiership promotion
By Liam Heagney
Doncaster have been cleared for Gallagher Premiership promotion provided they finish the current season as Championship champions and then win a two-legged play-off against the top-flight’s bottom club, most likely versus Newcastle.
The winless Falcons are adrift in 10th place with just four points, leaving them 18 points behind Gloucester with six rounds of matches remaining.
However, there is still a long way to go before any play-off versus Doncaster is set in stone as the Knights have much work to do on the field to become second-tier champions.
They are currently fourth in their 11-team division, trailing the leaders Ealing by 14 points. The Knights have six games remaining compared to the seven that Trailfinders have.
No other Championship club applied to be assessed under the minimum standards criteria, so only Doncaster are eligible to go up.
An RFU statement read: “Doncaster Knights has met the minimum standards criteria (MSC) and is therefore eligible for promotion to the Gallagher Premiership.
“Promotion is subject to coming top of the Championship league at the end of the season and then winning a two-legged home and away play-off against the club finishing bottom of the Gallagher Premiership Rugby table.
“Doncaster Knights was the only Championship club to apply to for a MSC audit and is therefore the only club eligible for promotion.”
Doncaster issued a response to the news with a statement on their website from Emma White, their managing director.
“Of course we are delighted to pass the RFU audit for the second year running, we are very proud of our facilities and the staff here constantly strive towards the best performance, no matter their role.”
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So spiteful that the Springboks won again, they just had to change the laws so that they would stand a chance.
Go to commentsWhy would Eben lie? The guy has achieved so much. He saw it as arrogance. Any normal person who plays against the ABs year in and year out would have the same thoughts. Why even talk about the final when you have the biggest game of your lives next week in a stage you have never gotten passed? Rugly is simple in SA. Have fun but the most important thing is respect. I’m not buying any of this misinterpreted nonsense. Eben isn’t English, but no one during that interview was asking what did he say? He's speaking and therefore his understanding is perfectly fine. It was an arrogant thing to say, esp for a team that has never been to a final, never mind a semi. You guys up north can interpret it in a different way if you wish, maybe that s why you don’t win the biggest tournaments.
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