Relegation

Will the revised Level 4 still fall under the NCA banner? Be interested to know if they will run with team of 3 officials for example, and if they have resources to cover this?

I understand that “teams of three”  are planned for the new level 4 leagues. But no-one has considered where these extra officials ( thought to be about 20 in number) will come from. There is a shortage of referees at all levels, and every “team of three” takes two officials from lower down the league structure. Also I hear are concerns that the number of cancelled league games means the end of season league tables will not give a true picture of clubs strengths. Perhaps those running the show could those of us who pay for it what is happening?

As I understand it from National League Rugby meetings, etc:

Frankly, although the RFU structure is officially fixed, I would not bet against changes being made to create a cup including Championship and National league teams.

The amazing position that level 3 find themselves is as a result of Level 2  clubs not being able to decide on how many clubs they want in their league. At the end of this season they will lose one club probably Ealing to the Premiership leaving them with 10 clubs , which is obviously unsustainable. This has been  known for over a year. At the start of this season they decided to have a 4 month Consultation period in order to decide if they go up to 12, 14 or 16 team league. How difficult is it to make that decision!! Personally I would simply lock the representatives of all 11 clubs into a room and not let them out until they come to their senses and make the decision. As the RFU are cutting the funding to level 2 dramatically cutting the money into 12,14,16 is now less of an issue and clubs will need to have more home games to raise funds from gate and bar income. However while they dither Level three do not know if 2,4,6 are to be promoted and 4 2, or 0 relegated. Do they not know what effect they will have on the whole pyramid below them.

The Cup idea definitely won’t happen. All NLR Clubs have ruled that out so even if Level 2 Clubs wanted it they would have to play themselves. 

Perhaps we should impose our own ring fence in reverse, and refuse to accept Championship clubs coming down. Not this year, I know.

Cups can become part of a club's history and folklore.

Think you could run a successful cup at Level 3 & 4 (i.e. semi pro level) with first couple of rounds at regional level, then nationwide. Perhaps include level 2 if that becomes semi pro rather than going the other way.
Best match at my club of youth was when Saffron Walden entertained Blackheath (Tony Bond and all) in the JPC 3rd round in the mid 80’s. SW edged the 1st half when Club tried to run the ball and they only prevailed by forward dominance. Made me desperate to represent the Green Army as they called themselves!