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Promotion and relegation from Prem to be scrapped as rugby moves to franchise model

  • RFU council approves change from 2026-27 season

  • ‘The professional game must evolve if it is to thrive’

English rugby has adopted a franchise system for the first time with promotion and relegation from the Prem scrapped from the end of this season.

In the biggest change to the club game since the introduction of a formal league in 1987, the Rugby Football Union’s council voted overwhelmingly in favour of proposals to ringfence the existing 10-team Prem on Friday, with a view to expanding to 12 clubs in 2029-30.

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© Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

© Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

© Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

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Nottingham Forest turn to former Spurs head of medicine after team’s injury struggles

  • Geoff Scott appointed in medical department overhaul

  • He had 20 years at Spurs but clashed with Postecoglou

Nottingham Forest have appointed a new director of performance, Tottenham’s former head of medicine and sports science Geoff Scott, amid concerns that injury problems have exacerbated their struggle to avoid relegation.

Scott spent 20 years at Tottenham until leaving two years ago after a clash with the then manager, Ange Postecoglou, who was in charge of Forest for eight matches this season.

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© Photograph: MI News/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

© Photograph: MI News/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

© Photograph: MI News/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

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Birmingham City’s owners explore moving into rugby union and buying Prem franchise

  • RFU due to confirm shake-up of rugby’s top division

  • Knighthead Capital Management in early discussions

Birmingham City’s owner, Knighthead Capital Management, is among a number of American investors exploring the purchase of potential new franchises in Prem Rugby before a radical shake-up of the sport due to be ratified by the Rugby Football Union on Friday.

The RFU council will vote at Twickenham on proposals to ringfence the 10-team Prem with no promotion or relegation until 2030, when a staged expansion is planned, beginning with the addition of two more teams.

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© Photograph: Andrew Fosker/Shutterstock

© Photograph: Andrew Fosker/Shutterstock

© Photograph: Andrew Fosker/Shutterstock

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Breakaway union stands behind Tara Moore’s $20m legal battle against WTA

  • Former British doubles No 1 has same legal firm as PTPA

  • The 33-year-old doubles star has always denied doping

The breakaway players’ union that is suing the tours and grand slam tournaments has thrown its weight behind Tara Moore’s $20m (£14.7m) legal battle against the Women’s ­Tennis Association in a new front in the sport’s civil war.

The Guardian has learnt that Moore, a former British No 1 doubles player who this week brought a legal action for negligence against the WTA after being handed a four‑year ban for doping, is using lawyers from the Professional Tennis ­Players Association’s legal partner, King & Spalding.

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© Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Action Images/Reuters

© Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Action Images/Reuters

© Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Action Images/Reuters

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