London Welsh appeal over Premiership exclusion put back

London Welsh's appeal against the decision to block their promotion to the Aviva Premiership has been delayed by a week.

The case will now be heard on June 28 - it was originally scheduled for Thursday - under agreement by all parties involved.

The independent panel will compromise of James Dingemans QC (chairman), Ian Mill QC and Tim Ward QC at a venue yet to be confirmed.

Welsh won this season's Championship after beating Cornish Pirates in both legs of the final.

But the Richmond-based club were told just hours before the first leg kicked off in Cornwall they did not meet minimum standards criteria set down by English rugby's Professional Game Board for entry to the Premiership.

The Exiles played the final's second leg at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford, which is thought to be their preferred venue should they gain top-flight status.

As things stand, Newcastle will remain in the Premiership next term despite finishing bottom by a point behind Wasps this season.

But should London Welsh succeed in overturning an original decision that went against them, then they will go up and the Falcons be relegated.

PA