Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie insists expanding the Aviva Premiership is not a formality but the issue must be dealt with as a priority . Premiership Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty has confirmed that the English club body is 'looking at ' adding two teams to the top-flight domestic league by imposing a temporary suspension on promotion and relegation . The situation must be clear ahead of the start of the 2015-16 season in order for teams to know what they are playing for in 2016-17 , when the changes could begin to come into effect . Saracens prop Mako Vunipola charges over Wasps flanker Ashley Johnson at the Ricoh Arena in March . 'It 's not as simple as saying 'let 's go from 12 to 14 ' , ' Ritchie said . 'We 've not had or seen a formal proposition about this . I do n't think anybody 's suggesting it 's a fait accompli . 'We have not had a formal sit down conversation with PRL ( Premiership Rugby Ltd ) . I 'm happy to sit down and do that . 'We all appreciate the urgency of it . We know it would be more than a little helpful to get this done in the next few months and I think there 's a willingness to do that . 'It 's important to resolve this . We will , with good will on both sides . Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie insists expanding the Aviva Premiership is not a formality . ' I do n't have any problem with the concept of 'should you examine change ' and then 'is the change a good or a positive one ? ' 'There 's a myriad of issues which I think are really significant . You need to go through all of those in some detail . 'We have n't done that and I have n't seen that yet . If that analysis shows certain things , then we 'll have a constructive and rational discussion about it . ' Premiership Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty has confirmed that the English club body is 'looking at ' adding two teams to the league by imposing a temporary suspension on promotion and relegation . The decision has to be made by the RFU and Premiership Rugby Ltd in partnership and , Ritchie says , must be subject of careful analysis . 'There 's been a lot of discussion about it . We need to have a proper analysis of it and see what the pluses and minuses are , ' Ritchie added . 'We 've got to be in a partnership , because I fervently believe that 's the best thing for the game as a whole . 'This is something that ultimately has to go to the RFU council , but has to go to various routes to get to that . '
derby Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty has confirmed that the English club body is ' looking at ' adding two divisions to the league . This will be achieved by imposing a temporary suspension on promotion and relegation . The situation must be clear ahead of the start of the 2015 - 16 season in order for teams to retain what they are playing for in 2016 - 17 .