Any moves to end relegation from the Gallagher Premiership will be closely monitored by Mims Davies, the new sports minister.

She has told the RFU — which is receiving £12.6 million in funding from Sport England between 2017 and 2021 — that it must ensure rugby “thrives on all levels” and she wants to be kept informed of all developments.

Premier Rugby Ltd (PRL), which represents the 13 leading clubs in England, wants the top flight to become a ring-fenced competition for at least four years in the belief that it would help loss-making clubs become more sustainable and make the league more commercially attractive. A proposal for a 13-team league — the 12 existing Premiership clubs and London Irish, who are PRL shareholders and