MACCLESFIELD'S hopes of avoiding relegation have been handed an unexpected boost after the Rugby Football Union council have announced they have agreed to some of the proposed changes to the league tier system in England.
The National Clubs' Association submitted plans for restructuring the current league system to Twickenham which included boosting the number of teams competing in National League One to 16 and, therefore, forfeiting relegation this time around. As a result, changes would then be made to the numbers of teams playing in National Two and National Three North and South - but only on the agreement of the RFU council.
The NCA want to boost the number of teams in both National Two and Three to 14 and, if the RFU endorse the proposed changes, then it is possible that only two teams will be relegated from National Three North - instead of the current three. With Kendal and New Brighton already relegated, third-from-bottom Macc's safety would be guaranteed for this season at least. The rules on promotion will remain unchanged.
But club officials have been angered by the RFU's decision to hold off from announcing their decision until April 29 - the date of the Blues' last game of the season at home to fellow strugglers Cleckheaton - leaving clubs to speculate whether or not they are playing for their futures.
Player-coach Dave Muckalt said: "It's typical RFU really, especially over the last two years or so. But from our point of view we'll carry on playing with the impression that there will be three teams going down. We'll stay focussed on the targets we have set ourselves and, obviously come the end of the season, we don't want to be in the bottom three."
Club captain Richard Jones added: "We're not really bothered about what is happening outside of the club. We want to win as many games as possible to keep us safe and move us away from relegation."
After sharing the spoils with relegation rivals Leicester Lions last weekend, the Blues host bottom-club Kendal on Saturday knowing that only a win and a bonus point will do.
