CHANGES to the structure of league rugby at the end of this season were tossed in the air last Wednesday when the representatives of the National One clubs failed to agree with the RFU on a reduction of 16 to 12 clubs.

Although there is a majority in favour, Sedgley Park, Otley and Manchester apart, for a 12-team league they were unable to resolve neither the issue of funding nor the shortfall in fixtures which the loss of four clubs would entail.

The clubs have been offered £260,000 each but this according to FDR would be nowhere near enough to cover the costs of running a full-time professional outfit so the idea may be scrapped.

The question of compensation payments for the four clubs excluded was also thought to be in dispute as was the idea of a play-off among the top teams with the winner playing the bottom club in the Premiership in a winner-takes-all final, something to which the Premiership clubs are very much opposed.

There was a feeling that if the RFU could not get their way the the clubs would be presented with a fait accompli. However the RFU has told FDR to go away and come back with their own proposals for a further meeting on October 29.

All this has left the other National League clubs such as Waterloo and Caldy still unclear of what changes, if any, are going to brought in at the end of the season, a disgrace seeing that the season is already a third over.

Caldy at the moment are top of National Three North and if they finish there they should be promoted yet until there is agreement between RFU and FDR that cannot be taken as read.

North One’s Birkenhead Park and West Park may also be affected.