English clubs consider shock PRO14 switch

Following reports that the Premiership will move away from a promotion and relegation model, Championship clubs have revealed their ambitions to potentially play elsewhere.

Ealing Trailfinders are currently exploring the possibility of joining Welsh, Irish, Italian, Scottish and South African sides in the PRO14. 

Ealing is currently sitting second on the table with an eye on Premiership promotion with Travel company founder Mike Gooley investing millions into the club.

Gooley has invested £25m into the club, helping to steer the club’s rise from lower leagues to the Championship.

“This business of ring-fencing is absolutely counter to the spirit of sport. It might also be unlawful,” Gooley told The Daily Mail after reports the Premiership would scrap the relegation system.

“Some Championship sides have invested a lot of money with the possibility that they could reach the Premiership.

“Our first aspiration would be to play in the Premiership.

“Perhaps the PRO14 would be a second aspiration. We have looked at the PRO14 because they would accept our stadium.

“I haven’t written cheques to accelerate us straight into the Premiership but if we need to spend £7million, then I’m good for it.”

Reports suggest that Nottingham, Coventry and Cornish Pirates are all ready to join Ealing in the courtroom if the Premiership changes its model.