Doncaster to appeal Premiership promotion axe and propose Hull KR ground-share

03/02/2022

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) may have meted out judgement concerning this season's RFU Championship promotion push, but the case appears far from closed for Doncaster Knights.

That's after the second-division leaders signalled their intent to appeal the RFU's decision, with English rugby's governing body having announced on Tuesday they could not ascend due to stadium capacity.

The RFU said Doncaster nor third-place Eailng Trailfinders could enter the Premiership because "neither club has successfully met the Minimum Standards Criteria based on capacity (as well as other factors).”

Doncaster's home ground of Castle Park holds a capacity of "around 5,183 with 1,926 seats," which is a little more than half the number they need to host top-flight fixtures, per the RFU.

But the Knights have since responded by saying the club "has every confidence" it will be able to host the required capacity of 10,001 by the beginning of the 2022/23 season.

"Doncaster RFC are disappointed, dismayed and disheartened by the decision of the Rugby Football Union Board to disallow the club's application to play in the Premiership league should the Doncaster Knights win the current season's Championship league contest. The Club will be appealing the decision," read a statement on Wednesday.

"Within the audit process, the only failure by the Club is to, currently, not be able to demonstrate a capacity crowd of 10,001 at the Club's ground, Castle Park.

"All other aspects of the audit, it seems are in order and Castle Park has, on a number of occasions, demonstrated its proficiency in hosting significant events via both Women's and Under 20's international matches.

"At this stage, it can only be stated that the DRFC Board have every confidence that the required capacity could be delivered for season 2022/23 with a stand-by ground now being available should unexpected delays occur."

One method by which Doncaster may secure the required seating is through a ground-share with Super League club Hull KR, who play their home games at the 12,225-seat capacity Craven Park.

The Daily Mail reported the Knights will propose a 'short-term tenancy' with the rugby league outfit while work is being carried out to increase the seating capacity at Castle Park.

London Welsh set a precedent for clubs joining the Premiership despite not being the primary owners of their ground, having shared the Kassam Stadium with Oxford United after winning an appeal to gain promotion.

Doncaster Rovers' Eco-Power Stadium would be a natural alternative for a temporary home given its proximity and capacity of 15,231, but it's ineligible as it's a host for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup later this year.

England and Harlequins prop Joe Marler criticised the decision to prevent Doncaster or Ealing from being promoted based on stadium size:

The veteran loosehead shared news of the RFU's judgement and wrote: "Stuck in the dark ages still. Apparently they would rather not grow the game…"

The RFU verdict is a particularly tough pill to swallow for those Championship teams chasing promotion, with the remainder of this season's games rendered effectively meaningless without a chance to climb.

"There has been significant debate about the Premiership being open to promotion and relegation, which can only be good for the aspirational nature of clubs, players and fans alike," the Knights' statement continued.

"The current Championship contest is approaching its climax with at least three teams statistically able to take the winner's title. By the beginning of April the victor will be known.

"Excitement in the camps and amongst rugby supporters in general is high but that has now been dashed at a stroke via yesterday's untimely RFU statement, producing a resurgence of subsequent outpourings of angry feelings towards the governing body at a time when harmony should prevail.

"Sensibility and fairness dictate that a delay to a decision being made could have been better for all concerned. Now, the teams play the final matches of the season in an atmosphere of despondence, albeit an administrative box has been ticked."

The Premiership was boosted to 13 clubs this season following Saracens ' return to the top flight, having been relegated in 2020 for numerous breaches of the Premiership's salary cap.

It was announced last year that there would be no relegation from the top division until 2024 at the earliest, adding a 14th team would be added from the Championship provided they met the criteria.

Doncaster currently lead the Championship and are four points ahead of Cornish Pirates—who have not applied for promotion—while Ealing sit another three points back in third.

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