Doncaster said that the decision to not be promoted to the Premiership for this season has left them “disappointed and dismayed”
Doncaster will appeal against the decision.
They lead the table with 67 points. This is four points more than Cornish Pirates, who are in second place, and seven points more than Ealing.
Ealing was the only club to submit a request to be eligible for promotion in case of winning the second-tier Championship.
One of the minimum requirements is that the stadium hold at least 10001 people. Trailfinders and Doncaster grounds have a combined capacity of approximately 5,000.
According to the RFU neither club had “formal plans permissions” to build their stadiums. They also did not have groundshare agreements in their applications.
Doncaster, however, stated in a statement that “The club’s only failure is currently not being able to demonstrate a crowd of 10001 at Castle Park.
“All other aspects of this audit, it seems, are in order. Castle Park has, at a number of times, demonstrated its proficiency hosting important events via both women’s and under-20s international matches.
“At the moment, it can only say that the board is confident that the required capacity will be available for season 2022-23. A stand-by ground is also available in case of unexpected delays.”
If their appeal fails, it would end the Premiership as a 13-team league. Currently, only the winner in National One will be promoted into the Championship for 2022-23 season.
If Doncaster and Ealing gain promotion to the top flight the Premiership will be expanded to a fourteen-team league beginning next season.
Doncaster also had reservations about the timing of the announcement, as the Championship season was nearing its conclusion.
“Excitement in rugby camps and amongst supporters in general is high. However, that excitement has now been dashed by yesterday’s untimely RFU announcement. It caused a resurgence if angry feelings towards the RFU at a moment when harmony should prevail,” the officials stated.
“Sensibility, fairness and justice dictate that a delay in a decision being made could be better for all parties.” Now the teams are playing the final matches of the season, although an administrative box has been checked.