COVENTRY Rugby will play in a revamped and expanded Championship next season with the league to include two extra teams.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Tier 2 board have revealed the new-look Tier 2 league will expand to 14 clubs from the 2025/26 season.
All 12 current Championship clubs, including Coventry, will feature in the league, joined by the promoted side from National League One and Worcester Warriors.
The Tier 2 board approved the return of Warriors to professional rugby after the club went into administration in September 2022.
Worcester are now under new ownership and have provided a financial security guarantee held by the RFU.
The club have also committed to paying off debts left by the previous owners to rugby creditors.
Tier 2 board chair, Simon Gillham said: “The vision for this league is really ambitious and so much work and collaboration has taken place over nearly two years to establish a path towards a vibrant and self-sustaining competition.
“This marks a significant step forward with Worcester Warriors returning to professional rugby under new ownership in a heartland for our sport with the club’s new owners having provided a financial security guarantee, held by the RFU, as well committing to paying off debts left by the previous owners to rugby creditors.
“National 1 is a highly competitive league with some ambitious clubs and we look forward to welcoming the promoted club from National 1 as well as continued collaboration with the current Championship clubs into next season.
“There is a great deal still to achieve and we will be working at pace over the coming months to prepare for the 2025-26 season and beyond.”
Tier 2 board member and RFU council member for the Championship Clubs, Simon Cohen added: “Current Championship clubs have worked diligently over much of the past year to reach the new standards we’ve set for the league and I thank them for all their hard work.
“Our league comprises many vibrant clubs, some of whom aspire to reach the Premiership and we need to support them to achieve this by developing a thriving and commercially viable league.
“Our plans very much aim to do this, and I look forward to working with existing Championship clubs and our two incoming clubs to realise this goal.”
Coventry saw their application for promotion to the Premiership turned down by the RFU last month.
The club failed to meet the RFU’s minimum standards criteria with their Butts Park Arena home falling short of the ground requirements.
The RFU also rejected the application of Championship leaders Ealing Trailfinders meaning there will be no promotion and relegation between the top two tiers this season.
