Canterbury will be playing in a new league next season after wide-ranging RFU proposals got the go-ahead.

The 2009-10 season will see National One renamed the Championship and become fully professional with the 16-team format reduced to 12.

The changes will affect the rest of the pyramid with every league below assuming the title of the one above.

There will be a new National 1 of 16 clubs, National 2 will be split into North and South, including Canterbury, with National 3 split into four – London, South West, Midlands and North 1.

Canterbury head coach Danny Vaughan backs the changes but has reservations about how clubs will embrace them financially.

He said: “The RFU are going to fund it and I think it’s a good idea because it will make it more competitive but it will be interesting to see how the second tier cope going full-time.

“Many have spent lots of money on team building but are struggling with sponsors pulling out.

“Playing at a higher level means better stadia and facilities, which costs money. The ones who will do best are the ones with the better budgets.”

Canterbury face Exmouth in the EDF National Trophy at Merton Lane on Saturday. The Devon side are second-bottom in London South West One.

Vaughan said: “They beat Bromley in the last round, so I have had a word with people there. I am expecting a tough game but it’s one I feel we should win.”

The game starts at 2pm due to floodlight problems.

Gert De Kock is in South Africa at the wedding of former team-mate Wessel Wolmarans, Michael Melford (foot) is injured and Rob Keir unavailable.