Major changes to the shape of English club rugby will take place next season following the approval of proposals to create a 12-team Championship division and to restructure competitions for teams in Levels Three to Six of the league system.

The RFU Council last night backed recommendations from the RFU Management Board for the Championship to form a new professional tier below the Guinness Premiership, with Council voting against an amendment deferring its formation until 2010/11.

What happens at the end of season 2008/09

Level 1: Guinness Premiership – 12 clubs.
One team relegated to new Championship

Level 2: National One (currently 16 clubs)
One team promoted to Guinness Premiership, one team relegated from Guinness Premiership, five relegated to level three

Level 3: National Two (currently 14 clubs)
One team promoted to new Championship, four relegated to level 4, five teams down from level 2, two teams up from National Three North and South

Level 4: National Three North & South – (currently 14 clubs)
Two champions promoted to new National One, bottom two in each division relegated, four teams down from level 3, six come up from level five

Level 5: Divisional One (currently four divisions of 12 clubs)
Four champions and two play-off winners promoted, two teams relegated to level 6, four teams down from level 4, 12 come up from level 6

Level 6: Divisional Two (currently eight divisions of 12 clubs)
Eight champions and four play-off winners promoted, no teams relegated, two teams down from level 5, 26 teams up from level 7 depending on 14 or 12 team leagues in new structure

The new league structure for season 2009/10:

Level 1: Guinness Premiership – 12 clubs.
• One team relegated to the Championship

Level 2: The Championship – 12 clubs (currently 16), replacing National One
• 22 regular season games
• Play-offs to decide one promotion and one relegation place
• Teams to participate in proposed two-tier Anglo-Welsh competition
• Minimum of 32 games each season per team

Level 3: National One – 16 clubs (14), replacing National Two
• 30 regular season games
• Champions promoted and bottom three relegated at end of season 2009/10

Level 4: National Two North & South – 16 clubs (14), replacing National Three North & South
• 30 regular season games in each league
• Two champions promoted and bottom three teams in each league relegated at end of season 2009/10
• Promotion play-off for sides finishing second in each league
• The two champions meet in National Final

Level 5: National Three (four divisions) - 14 clubs (currently 12), replacing divisional leagues
• 26 regular season games
• Four champions promoted and bottom three in each league relegated at end of season 2009/10
• Two more teams promoted after play-offs between second-placed sides
• Four champions meet in National Semi-finals and Finals

Level 6: Divisional 1 (eight divisions) – 14 clubs (or less if agreed, currently 12)
• 26 (or less if agreed) regular season games
• Eight champions and four play-off winners promoted, bottom three in each league relegated at end of season 2009/10
• Eight champions participate in National Quarter-finals, Semi-finals and Finals