Tier 2 Board Confirms New Clubs for 2025-26 Season – But What’s Really Changing?

Worcester Warriors Return and Expanded League Revealed

The Tier 2 Board has today confirmed the final line-up for next season’s expanded Championship, marking a major development for English rugby’s second tier.

Following two years of collaborative work between the Tier 2 Board, the RFU and existing Championship clubs, the 2025-26 season will see a new-look 14-team competition launched with a bold vision to grow the game, attract more fans, and strengthen commercial sustainability across the league.

Who’s In?

The new Championship will feature:

• All 12 current Championship clubs

• One promoted team from National League 1 (subject to meeting the league’s Minimum Operating Standards)

• Worcester Warriors – returning under new ownership

The open tender process, approved by the RFU Council, allowed clubs across the game to apply for inclusion if they could meet set operating and growth criteria. Worcester Warriors successfully came through a rigorous selection process and will now rejoin professional rugby in the West Midlands.

Worcester Warriors’ Return

The inclusion of Worcester comes after new ownership acquired the club’s rugby assets from administrators. The club’s new owners have already made substantial payments and have entered into an agreement to pay off outstanding funds to DCMS and HMRC by the end of 2025.

Simon Gillham, Chair of the Tier 2 Board, said:

“Today marks a significant step forward with Worcester Warriors returning to professional rugby under new ownership in a heartland for our sport.”

“Worcester Warriors brings with them a fanbase, history, commercial value and infrastructure that will be important to the league.”

Christopher Holland, the club’s owner, added:

“We are really pleased to be bringing rugby back to Worcester and have made significant progress in stabilising the Sixways business.”

“After careful consideration we chose to make the application to the new league under the name Worcester Warriors to preserve its history and legacy.”

“We now enter a defined period in which to provide financial guarantees, and to identify, validate, and agree all inherited rugby creditors.”

Clarity for the Cornish Pirates

In response to the announcement, Cornish Pirates Chairman Paul Durkin said:

“We made our concerns very clear to the Tier 2 Board and the RFU along with other clubs. We have been assured that rigorous due process has been followed and we accept the process and move on.”

Chief Executive Sally Pettipher welcomed the outcome, stating:

“We welcome the clarity of today’s announcement so that Cornish Pirates can plan the 25-26 season.”

What Happens Next?

Simon Cohen, RFU Council Member for the Championship Clubs, emphasised the hard work of current teams:

“Current Championship clubs have worked diligently over much of the past year to reach the new standards we’ve set for the league.”

Further details about the competition’s format, new branding, and commercial strategy are expected to be revealed in the lead-up to the 2025-26 season.

John Inverdale, Chair of National League Rugby, concluded:

“Driving up standards and supporting clubs to develop in all aspects that will see them thrive is crucial in a competitive commercial landscape.”

The countdown to a new era in English rugby’s second tier has officially begun.