Expansion, play-offs, funding - Doncaster Knights boss Steve Boden reveals how he would revitalise the Championship

The future of the 12-team second tier remains the subject of plenty of debate and speculation amid a backdrop of financial uncertainty.

Clubs are currently dealing with the huge financial implications of Covid-19 on top of a reduction in central funding from the RFU.

There is also ongoing doubt as to whether the 2020/21 season will take place.

Championship clubs spent the first lockdown discussing revolutionary plans to breathe new life into their competition with former Saracens CEO Edward Griffiths compiling a 76-page document ahead of a projected launch in 2021/22.

Among the ideas put forward were a new 16-team ‘Heartland’ Championship split into North and South conferences.

The top four in each conference would then move forward to contest the title with play-offs and a grand final, while the bottom four would battle it out to avoid relegation to National One.

Boden has revealed he would be in favour of expanding the Championship to 14 or 16 teams and also doing away with the Championship Cup.

The idea was put to him during a recent interview with The Rugby Paper.

Boden replied: “That’s a really good idea. You’ve got Rosslyn Park, Blackheath, Rams, Darlington, Plymouth and Moseley – fantastic clubs with good infrastructures.

"I played in the old First Division when there were 16 teams and that was a good competition. I’d definitely be open to doing that and encouraging those ambitious sides.”

On the current status of the Championship, Boden added: “I think it’s a little bit lost. It’s a hell of a competition but it just needs a bit of direction.

"I’d love to see the play-offs back because it gives a real buzz and creates excitement throughout the league knowing that if you’re sixth or seventh going into the last weekend, you can potentially still make the top four and have a crack at winning it.

"We know the situation around funding but the Championship does need to be funded better because there are some fantastic coaches and players who, if the Premiership clubs start seeing it, could make the step up more often than they do.”