RFU announce Premier 15s tender process

By Emily Liles
25/8/22

The Rugby Football Union have today announced that the new Premier 15s league is now entering the next stage in its tender process with the issue of the Request for Proposals (RFP) on Monday, September 5.

The RFP will be issued to all clubs who formally responded to the Expression of Interest, which closed on Friday 12th August 2022 and the deadline for the submission of responses to the RFP is 28th October 2022 at 1700.

Alex Teasdale, head of women's game at the RFU commented: “This is a really exciting phase of development for the next cycle of the Premier 15s league. All clubs who responded to the formal Expression of Interest will now set out their approach for the next cycle of Premier 15s and provide further detail around how their club will deliver against the criteria as set out in the RFP and support the delivery of a progressive league both on and off the pitch.

“Within the RFP there is an option for those responding clubs to meet with the RFU during September and October to discuss the process and any queries they have regarding this stage. We are looking forward to receiving the responses to the RFP and progressing the development plans to ensure we deliver a robust platform and ensure the next cycle of the Premier 15s continues to grow the sport at every level.”

By 22nd November 2022 a Selection Panel, comprised of representatives of the RFU and sport specialists independent of clubs involved in the process, will evaluate all the responses to the RFP and subsequently create a shortlist of clubs. Those shortlisted clubs will then present their approach for the Premier 15s to the Selection Panel at agreed times between 28th November and 7th December.

Subject to any appeals, all shortlisted clubs will be notified of the Selection Panel’s decision on the inclusion of clubs in the next cycle of the Premier 15s by the end of December this year.

An announcement will be made in Spring 2023 celebrating the successful clubs who will compete in the Allianz Premier 15s from the 2023/24 season.

The timeline for the next stage of development is listed below:

5th September 2022: RFPs issued to interested clubs

September – October 2022: Opportunity for interested clubs to meet with RFU

1700 hours, 28th October 2022: Deadline for responses to RFP

By 22nd November 2022: Selection panel will have evaluated RFP responses and a shortlist of clubs created

Between 28th November and 7th December 2022: Shortlisted clubs to present responses to RFP to Selection Panel

End December 2022: All shortlisted clubs notified of Selection Panel results, subject to appeals

Spring 2023: Participation agreements issued to successful applicants