And so it stands that despite completing a gruelling season in the Championship, coming through the two-legged play-off semi-finals and now preparing for the rigours of a play-off final - also in two draining instalments — the side which prevails in the second tier's long-winded and laborious route towards supposed Premiership status may well end up playing in the Championship again next season anyway.

As Cornish Pirates and London Welsh ready themselves for the Twickenham double event on May 23 and 30, they both do so knowing that there is a very high possibility that if they do succeed it

Takeover heralds a new era at WaspsAfter securing their Premiership status despite defeat by Newcastle on Saturday, Wasps would have — in ordinary circumstances — been able to start planning for next season.

As it stands the six-times English champions and twice European Cup holders are now awaiting the outcome of a 'period of exclusivity', as a consortium headed by former Wasps player Ken Moss works through the finer details of a deal which looks set to be wrapped up by the end of May.

All being well the club will finally have in place the solid financial footing — not to mention business structure — it needs to put what has

Catt faces challenge to make England excitingThe RFU may regret not recruiting Andy Farrell on a full-time basis - but Stuart Lancaster has probably identified the best replacement in Mike Catt.

Should he be confirmed as expected this week, the former England international would, at least, be the perfect attack coach - and  it would be difficult to find someone who could do the dual roles of attack and defence coach like Farrell does.

But Catt has only recently retired from the professional game and has played with as well as against most of the players who could be selected for England.

Also, as a coach at London Irish he has spent a

When looking over the last week of rugby there is one event which has stood out from the rest: the abrupt resignation of Bryan Redpath from Gloucester.

The Cherry and Whites have been inconsistent this season; they have beaten the likes of Harlequins and Toulouse but were hapless as they lost to Wasps and bottom side Newcastle.

But if this were a simple matter of a coach taking responsibility for an unsatisfactory season then it would not be quite so intriguing. It is what has been happening off the field which makes this whole saga astonishing.

The story began when Sale Sharks CEO Steve

Stuart Lancaster, Andy Farrell and Graham Rowntree

England's brave new world under Stuart Lancaster was bound to hit a few snags but not many were predicting that his coaching staff would pose the first problem.

It is surprising, if not understandable, why Andy Farrell turned down the opportunity to become England's full-time defence coach.

It would have meant leaving Saracens, the club which gave him his chance in Union and helped him make the England squad for the 2007 World Cup.

Farrell has a sense of loyalty and gratitude towards Saracens. The last thing he would want to do is annoy them and burn any bridges especially as he has to think

England coach Stuart Lancaster at his unveiling

Careful how loudly you say this but the RFU might have actually made a right decision for once by appointing Stuart Lancaster as the new England coach.

The man from Penrith deserved the chance after a positive performance in the Six Nations. The RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie said England's showing in the Championship was not the only reason for Lancaster being appointed but it should be the main one.

After all of the speculation as to who would take the job and the talk of Nick Mallett being the preferred candidate Lancaster must have edged it because of what he has done since December.

The

The Celtic nations also have a sayThe question of equality has never been far away when the Heineken Cup is discussed.

English and French clubs could even boycott Europe's elite competition if radical changes are not made.

This warning has come from Leicester Tigers chief executive Simon Cohen, who claims the qualification system is unfair. And he may have a point.

As it stands, the Aviva Premiership and Top 14 have a guaranteed six qualification places apiece, while the RaboDirect Pro 12 has 11.

There is now an Anglo-French union which wants to see the top eight sides from each of Europe's three main leagues making up the

Talisman Warburton kisses the trophyHere is Oval Talk's Team of the Tournament after the final weekend of Six Nations action, with Wales unsurprisingly dominating the line-up.

Halfpenny has excelled with boot15. Leigh Halfpenny (Wales)
This was a toss-up between Halfpenny and Ireland's Rob Kearney as either could claim the number 15 shirt in the British and Irish Lions team next summer. But the Welshman edged it; he has emerged as a quality goal-kicker during this championship. Kearney might be better at dealing with the high ball, but Halfpenny's all-round play is excellent.

14. Tommy Bowe (Ireland)
For Oval Talk there was little debate on either wing. Bowe