Talking to a few last night - IF (big if) the ghostly RFU Div 2 does arise and is by invitation who would sign up?
We felt very few of the existing Championship would put their names forward.
Wasps as a Franchise, maybe WW and possibly LI if there is anyone with the money left. Ealing but with Jersey gone we could only think Coventry with the money and desire. Possibly Scottish if the rumoured funding is available. Cornish Pirates are considering going part time but seem to have glimmers on their new stadium. Not sure the rest have a desire, funding or a stadium (last applies to Ealing too.
I do hope that PRL/RFU follow the same ground capacity rules as for the, more popular, Premier League football grounds:
The ground must have a certified capacity of at least 5,000 which includes 2,000 seats.Of course of they still insist on current rules staying then only Doncaster, as it stands will be allowed in the new Premiership 2, as they have planning permission to increase capacity, and they have recruited wisely for this season.
Not so sure about L. Scottish, as they have to share with Richmond, and, like the majority of Championship clubs are semi-pro. The AAthletic ground only has a capacity of about 4000.
Same capacity applies to Cornish Pirates, but as stated can't see a semi-pro club being able to compete.
Coventry currently has a capacily of 4000, and has the ability to compete ok, but can't see them being able to increase capacity by more than 1000.
Ealing could easily compete, but can't see them being able to increase capacity much above 1000 more than the current 5,000 (2,200 seats). However they have put-in a few more, temporary, seats this season (a couple of hundred) and do have the space for more using temporary stands. However those would be required to be moved on non-matchdays, as they would interfere with the othe pitches on site.
Always a Wasp