THE end-of-season play-off system in the Greene King IPA Championship is to scrapped.

The club finishing top of the table next season will be promoted to the Aviva Premiership subject to meeting the criteria for the top tier.

The new format has been agreed and supported by the Rugby Football Union, Premiership Rugby and the Greene King IPA Championship.

More funding from the RFU and Premiership Rugby (PRL) will also be provided to Championship clubs.

The RFU Council have approved a three-season plan to remove the end-of-season play-off system between the top four teams.

Worcester Warriors and Bristol are battling to remain in the Aviva Premiership and will be interested in the developments.

Warriors pipped Bristol 59-58 on aggregate in a thrilling two-legged Championship promotion final in May 2015.

It happened after Bristol had finished top of the table and completed a double over Warriors in the regular league campaign.

London Irish are currently 15 points clear of second-placed Yorkshire Carnegie in this season's Championship.

Doncaster and Ealing Trailfinders occupy the two play-off spots.

Ian Ritchie, RFU chief executive, said: “The RFU, Premiership Rugby and the Greene King IPA Championship clubs agree this a positive step forward.

“The first-past-the-post system will allow the promoted club a greater amount of time to recruit ahead of the next season which is important for their preparation in playing in the Premiership.

“In addition, all of the clubs will also benefit from extra funding provided by the RFU and Premiership Rugby.

"It was also important for this regulation change to be agreed in principle by the RFU Council to allow clubs certainty regarding budget planning for next season.”

Geoff Irvine, chairman of the Championship clubs, said: “This agreement which is fixed for the next three seasons provides a period of stability and continuity which will enable the RFU, Premiership Rugby and the Greene King IPA Championship clubs to engage in meaningful dialogue to further relationships and develop initiatives for the mutual benefit of both parties.”

Mark McCafferty, chief executive at Premiership Rugby, said: "The current play-off system does not always help with that whereas a return to first-past-the-post from next season will provide the potential for more advanced planning and recruitment."