Premiership promotion on cards after passing test

Feb 18 2008 by Gareth Griffiths, South Wales Echo

FOUR Division One clubs are eligible for promotion next season to the Principality Welsh Premiership after passing the Welsh Rugby Union criteria system

The Premiership criteria system was introduced ahead of the 2005-2006 season and clubs seeking Premiership status are checked for their finances and administration, regulatory compliance, player development programmes and ground facilities.

All the current Premiership sides have passed the criteria for next season including Bedwas, who failed last season.

And Beddau, Caerphilly, Newbridge and Pontypool have all passed from the lower tier Division One East section with those four are eligible to take the place of the bottom Premiership club.

No sides from their west achieved the required standard so a planned play-off for promotion between the top club in Division One East and the winner of Division One West is not required.

Pontypool currently top the National One League with Caerphilly in third-place, but mid-table pair Newbridge and Bedwas have little chance of success.

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