There will be a new look to next season's RFU Championship after a change of structure was agreed between the Rugby Football Union and the Championship Clubs Committee.
The revised structure, which has been approved by the RFU Board, will now see the bottom side following the 22 regular-season Championship matches relegated to SSE National League One while the top four will go on to compete in two-legged semi-finals, which will be followed by a two-legged final.
The system for the recently-completed 2010/11 season saw the top eight sides after the 22 matches go into the promotion play-offs and the remaining four teams in the relegation play-offs.
The new structure will also provide a minimum of six games in the revised British & Irish Cup.
Rob Andrew, the RFU's professional rugby director, said: "The reduction from an eight team promotion play-off to four will ultimately reward those clubs who best perform across the season, whilst encouraging a hugely competitive league to reach the top four.
"The amended structure also shows a further commitment to the British & Irish Cup which will include six pool matches played on a similar format to ERC competitions."
Geoff Irvine, chairman of the Championship Clubs, said: "The clubs believe these changes will improve the competition, providing quality rather than quantity of fixtures. It should also help with congestion of fixtures which results in player welfare issues."
