“If this idea is so exciting, why haven’t we all agreed to it?”

The words of a spokesman for Moseley RFC in reference to the RFU’s clamour for a fully-professional second tier of English rugby.

Sensible words, too.

Here are the facts. A meeting took place between the RFU and representatives from all 16 National One clubs. The RFU made their support clear for a new 12-team professional Championship.

They left the meeting, the 16 club representatives had a vote and gave the plan a resounding 12 to 4 thumbs down.

The people had spoken, the feeling was clear. This wasn’t a good idea. The numbers just didn’t stack up, as a statement from the club’s umbrella body, First Division Rugby, spelled out.

“For some National One clubs the move to full professionalism will cost a minimum of £400,000 extra in year one on playing squad costs alone quite apart from any necessary improvements in infrastructure and facilities.

“To reach Premiership standards the necessary cost increases will be far greater. There are no guarantees that income levels will rise commensurately. It is projected that at the proposed levels of RFU funding support the cumulative losses per club over a five year period could be as high as £3 million.”

Put simply: financial suicide.

So what does the RFU do? Decide it’s a good idea anyway and urge its council members to vote for it this Friday.

Here are some more facts. Nottingham, placed third in National One and a hugely ambitious club who have moved into a football stadium capable of hosting Premiership rugby, are careering towards oblivion after the collapse of a land sale deal, the buyer falling victim to the credit crunch.

Their chairman has issued a plea to supporters to dig deep or the club could be gone by Christmas.

Cornish Pirates, one of the biggest brands in rugby, have been rocked by a £300,000 hole in their accounts after a sponsor talked the talk then failed to walk the walk.

Coventry, once of the top division, have been teetering on the brink this year as well.

And now Redruth, top of National Two and, therefore, in line to go up to the new Championship should they wish to take up one of the new 12 professional licences, are going all wobbly-kneed at the thought of tossing away 135 years of history for a crack at the big time that could leave them in financial ruins.

Many of the players in National One have other jobs, good jobs, but would trade them for the chance to become professional rugby players. But many of them are unwilling to risk their livelihoods for a dream that could turn into a nightmare 12 months down the line.

The increase in central funding the RFU is proposing is simply not enough for many of the would-be Championship clubs to sustain full-time squads.

There is also outrage that the Professional Game Board hasn’t been consulted over what constitutes a radical overhaul of the game in England and a gamble with players’ futures and clubs’ histories.

Dissenting voices over the plans have been growing in number by the day.

It’s time the RFU listened to some of them.

What the clubs are saying about the Championship plans

“If this extra £300,000 cannot be raised for next season and for the future seasons, so long as we remain in the Championship, then the Cornish Pirates will have no alternative but to decline to be a part of Elite Rugby and to return to the Mennaye with a consequent drastic impact on our playing and future prospects… “The level of funding currently being offered by the RFU is not significantly different to that we receive now and given that any additional monies from cup competitions or sponsorship are by no means guaranteed, it means that clubs are being asked to commit to something that is, at best, tenuous,”
Rod Coward, CEO, Cornish Pirates.

“If the FDR clubs have voted wholeheartedly that this does not work, then why can’t the RFU accept that?”
Moseley spokesman

“New competitions cannot be forced through unilaterally against the wishes of their proposed participants. It’s a nonsense if the PGB and its expertise is being bypassed and it would be in serious conflict with the new agreement.”
Premier Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty

“It would take rugby to a new level and there is a niche for a second tier professional game but I wouldn’t want it at this stage because I don’t think it’s financially sustainable. What sort of gates will people be gaining? Look at clubs like Nottingham who are only getting 1,000 or so to watch and there’s ample evidence to suggest that we’re not quite ready for it. Unless it boosts gates at each fixture I’m not sure how they will sustain full-time rugby with, in theory, a small increase in central funding.”
Launceston joint-head coach Jon Hill