RUGBY UNION COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

Early day motion 443, tabled 19 January 2004 by Lord Taylor of Goss Moor (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 6 members.

That this House regrets Rugby Football Union proposals which will effectively downgrade the County Championship competition by the introduction of a new regional Super 8 tournament, as a result of which successful county sides such as Cornwall will no longer have access to players from National Leagues One, Two and Three, but only from South West One league and below; believes that one of the greatest strengths of English Rugby is the depth of grassroots support across local communities, nowhere more so than in Cornwall from where as many as 40,000 Cornish supporters have travelled to Twickenham to support their team in the county finals; concludes that a South Western team competing in a regional league is never going to achieve the same level of support whilst undermining the County Championship; and urges the RFU to reconsider.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 5, Plaid Cymru 1.