“A part of that will probably be a mannequin whereby you qualify for an growth league within the Premiership, however based mostly on standards round monetary sustainability, fanbase and stadium, not simply efficiency on the sector of play.
“It would not be your conventional one-up, one-down state of affairs, however in case you are not assembly sure requirements on and off the sector you’ll be eligible to be faraway from the league.
“It’s attainable for this coming season, or it could possibly be the season after that, however we would not put any limitations on it.”
The change would wish the approval of the RFU Council, which represents the broader sport and totally different stakeholders, which means its introduction for the 2026-27 season is a extra possible timeline.
Tub proprietor Bruce Craig has backed the thought of a franchise league, with golf equipment’ licences open to assessment.
The change may pave the way in which for a resurrected Worcester Warriors to return to the highest flight, whereas Ealing, Coventry and Doncaster all utilized to be assessed in opposition to the Premiership’s requirements this season.
The Premiership consists of 10 groups, down from 13 initially of the 2022-23 season, and is eager to develop.
Different competitions, reminiscent of cricket’s Hundred, have discovered a profitable marketplace for stakes in franchise groups free from the specter of relegation.
Sweeney mentioned there was loads of trigger for optimism concerning the English high flight regardless of the monetary pressures it’s beneath and its groups falling behind different nations in European competitors.
TNT Sport are reportedly near finalising a five-year extension, exterior on improved phrases to their present tv rights settlement.
“We’re seeing some nice momentum within the Premiership in the intervening time,” he added.
“By way of sponsorship, a possible broadcast deal about to be introduced, development in curiosity from 18-30s and the Premiership ultimate goes to be bought out once more with ticket gross sales forward of the place they had been final 12 months.
“So there are lots of good issues occurring.”
