The Breakdown | Champ’s relegation playoff proved jeopardy resonates more than a closed shop

Richmond and London Scottish faced each other in the first-ever relegation playoff in the English second tier (the Championship) on Saturday, producing a tense, high-stakes contest between the bitter rivals. The match was highlighted as a powerful argument against the closed franchise model being debated in rugby, demonstrating that jeopardy and promotion/relegation battles generate compelling drama. The Guardian's rugby columnist used the game as evidence that lower-tier club rugby remains emotionally relevant and passionately contested.