Toulon move to the Premiership is a long shot, says RFU chief Ian Ritchie

22 January 2016 01:23

Toulon's ambition of joining the Aviva Premiership has been described as a 'long shot' by Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie.

The reigning European champions' president Mourad Boudjellal has emailed Premiership Rugby proposing they leave the Top 14 due to his frustrations over the way France's domestic league is run.

The request is being considered by the English top flight, but any move would require ratification by the RFU and Ritchie insists that is unlikely.

"Toulon haven't approached us - I heard about it at the same time as everyone else did on Thursday. It was a bolt out of the blue, there weren't any discussions beforehand," Ritchie said.

"As I understand it - and I haven't had time to go into gory details - the French authorities will have a view on it as well.

"As far as I'm concerned it's still a hypothetical. You have to reflect on it, but it's fair to say it's a long shot."

Source: PA