The Ruck

Promotion and relegation, franchising and the rugby pyramid; these are all issues that are so fundamental to the state of English rugby, and things so few people agree on.

So, to tackle these meaty topics Will and Alex go to Twickenham to meet Simon Gillham, the chair of the new Tier 2 board, and vice-president of French Pro D2 side Brive.

Can the Champ, which relaunches this weekend, and the Prem finally get on, coexist and thrive together? 

How could promotion to the top flight work? Will London Irish return like Worcester Warriors have?

And Will there be an end to "self-interest" on all sides? We discuss it all, and rattle through the news from the opening round of the Prem, plus the finale of The Rugby Championship.

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