London Welsh have won their appeal against being denied promotion to the Aviva Premiership and will join the top flight of English rugby next season. Newcastle Falcons are duly relegated to the RFU Championship.
The Welsh beat the Cornish Pirates 66-41 on aggregate in last month`s two-leg Championship Final but prior to the first meeting at the Mennaye Field had been told that their proposed new base at Oxford`s Kassam Stadium did not satisfy Premiership entry criteria as set out by the Professional Game Board.
Having secured the Championship crown the Welsh board appealed the decision and their case was heard yesterday in London by an Independent Panel consisting of James Dingemans QC (Chairman), Ian Mill QC and Tim Ward QC.
The news that London Welsh had been successful was reported by several media agencies just after 5.30pm today but then immediately shrouded in further mystery as neither the RFU nor the clubs involved would confirm that the appeal had been upheld.
Newcastle Falcons have already suggested that they will contest any adverse ruling from today's hearing.