Rugby union shake-up to allow second XVs into league pyramid

In the north of England, clubs' second and third XVs will be allowed to enter the league pyramid and play against first XVs.

This is expected to have a significant impact on the game.

Wharfedale Foresters, the club's second XV, will compete in Counties Two Yorkshire A against six other second XVs, including Ilkley, and five first XVs, including Old Leodiensians.

Baildon and Bradford & Bingley will be in Counties Two Yorkshire B, facing five second XVs, including Heath, and five first XVs, including Bramley Phoenix, Roundhegians, and Huddersfield Laund Hill.

Skipton, in Counties Three Yorkshire A, will face Burley and West Park Leeds' first XVs, and Morley Seconds.

Cleckheaton's second XV are in Counties Four Yorkshire B against the first XVs of Aireborough, Leeds Modernians, and Leeds Medics & Dentists, and the second XVs of Baildon, Keighley, Leos, North Ribblesdale, Roundhegians, and Old Rishworthians.

These changes are expected to make a significant difference in the way the game is played in the region.

The restructuring, however, does not affect the upper levels of the game in England, which include Regional One and Two North East and Counties One Yorkshire.

The decision to allow second and third XVs to enter the league structure and to keep divisions at 12 teams instead of 14 has surprised many, including Bradford Salem's chairman, Neil Klenk.

Klenk said: "We were against it, as most clubs were, but there seem to have been a hidden agenda.

"I went to various seminars and everyone seemed to be against it, but I understand it went through by 36 votes to 29.

"We have always been against second XVs playing in a league structure because we would find it more difficult as a first XV to recruit."

He also raised concerns about the potential for clubs to exploit the system.

Klenk said: "For example, clubs like Wharfedale, where their second XV are struggling for fixtures - they have been pushing for years to get their second XV into the league structure - might go to Skipton and persuade some of their first XV players to play for Wharfedale’s second XV.

"Also, how will the league organisers monitor which first XV players are allowed to drop down to second XVs?

"If, for example, Wharfedale’s first XV are safe in their division, but their second XV need to win to go up, what is to stop them putting their first XV players into their second XV?

"It will be impossible to monitor."

Klenk also questioned the decision not to implement 14-team divisions.

He said: "Divisions of 14 teams got unanimous backing from clubs, but why they haven’t brought it in I don’t know.

"Recently there were massive objections to it staying at 12 clubs (clubs lose the revenue from two additional home games if leagues stay at 12 clubs) but somehow it has got through."

He also expressed concerns about the potential for walkovers and the lack of referees.

Klenk added: "We were asked if we wanted to enter a second XV into a league structure, and we said no as we are happy with a Merit table structure for them.

"We don’t want to play a 22-game season as a second XV and I can see there being loads of walkovers and five-point deductions.

"The lack of referees is another matter.

"There aren’t enough referees as it is, never mind with all these extra league matches."

The upcoming season is expected to bring about several changes and challenges for the clubs.