Rugby faces play-off dilemma

Chris Jones13 April 2012

The introduction of a play-off to end the English rugby season is set to cause confusion with the annual clash between the league champions and the Barbarians the latest concern.

The Scottish Amicable trophy is played for on 27 May at Twickenham and a spokesman for Scottish Amicable said the Barbarians would be facing the "Premiership champions".

He added: "Leicester will be the opposition once more if they finish top of the Premiership standings on 18 April, following clarification from English club officials about the format for the new Championship ending to the season."

The Barbarians are under the impression they are playing the English club champions but that will only be the case if the team that finishes top of the normal league is also crowned the play-off winners.

That eight-team play-off climaxes with a Championship Final at Twickenham on Sunday, 13 May.

It raises the ridiculous possibility that Leicester will win the league for a third successive season, yet fail to win the play-off final and, therefore, be unable to call themselves England champions.

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