Sport the loser as London Welsh denied promotion

It makes a farce of sport when the Rugby Football Union makes decisions like it did today.

The RFU ruled London Welsh was ineligible for promotion to the Aviva Premiership, meaning if they win their two-legged Championship title decider, the bottom-placed Newcastle Falcons will stay in the top flight.

Oxford United host Wrexham at the Kassam Stadium. The RFU has rejected a proposal by London Welsh to use the ground as their home for Premiership matches should they beat Cornish Pirates. Picture: Flickr, Ben Bore (Rhys)

The Exiles’ opponents, the Cornish Pirates, did not apply for promotion. Indeed, only Bristol of the final four in the Championship title hunt would have been guaranteed a place in the Premiership. The fourth side, Bedford, were dispatched 30-27 over two legs by Welsh.

Big Welsh sporting weekend in London

Newport County fans must know the numerous column inches devoted to the Premier League title race this weekend are fairly misguided.

Their side takes on York City in the FA Trophy at Wembley this afternoon, the first time County – who finished 19th in the Conference Premier this season – have played at the home of English football.

Thousands of Newport County and York City fans will travel to Wembley for the FA Trophy final this afternoon. Photo: Flickr, Mick_Gallagher_1959

 

It will be quite a step up from Spytty Park, and at least 11,000 County fans will make their way to the National Stadium to see if the Amber Army can achieve what Cardiff City failed earlier this season and bring some silverware back to south Wales.

On Sunday, London Welsh will host Bedford for the second leg of the sides’ Championship rugby play-off semi-final at Old Deer Park. The Richmond-based Exiles secured a valuable 13-3 win in the away fixture last Friday, and so have a great chance of facing either the Cornish Pirates or Bristol in the final.

London Welsh host Bedford tomorrow in the Championship play-off semi-final second leg, with an outside chance of winning promotion to the Aviva Premiership. Photo: Flickr, smurfomatic

Bedford and the Pirates cannot be promoted if they win the Championship as their grounds are not deemed suitable for the top flight by the Rugby Football Union.

London Welsh hope to secure a ground share if they are successful, while the Newcastle Falcons, nominally relegated from the Premiership, will hope for a reprieve if Bedford or the Pirates pick up the Championship title.

London Welsh have reached the play-off semi-finals for the last three seasons, but their 10-point advantage going into tomorrow’s game stands them in good stead for an outside shot at reaching the Aviva Premiership this time around.