Baxter saddened at end of merit-based Prem promotionImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Rob Baxter led Exeter to promotion from the Championship in his first season in charge at Sandy ParkByBrent PilnickBBC Sport EnglandPublished3 hours agoExeter boss Rob Baxter says he is saddened to see the end of merit-based promotion and relegation to and from the Prem. Last week rugby authorities in England revealed clubs would have to bid to join the top flight from the 2027-28 season.
Clubs wanting to move to the Prem would be assessed on standard of play, finances, investment potential, infrastructure and how their geographical base could help spread the Prem’s appeal, among other factors.
It could mean a new side could win a place in the top flight after a season in the second tier, even if they do not top the table but meet other criteria.
“I feel very uncomfortable with it, and for me to say anything different would make me a complete hypocrite,” Baxter mentioned.
“It was the opportunity for promotion and relegation that was a huge driver behind masses of the stuff that I’ve done here and the drive and the excitement and the ambition of what we wanted to achieve here as a club.”
