'You learn how to cook a Michelin star meal with Aldi produce': Diamond

Newcastle Falcons boss Steve Diamond believes a proposed loan of around £5m from fellow Gallagher Premiership clubs and CVC Capital Partners, who own a stake in the league, is “common sense” despite anger over the move from Championship clubs.

News of the potential loan to keep bottom-of-the-league Newcastle going if new investors are not found in time for next season, came as Ealing were told they had not satisfied the criteria for promotion from the Championship, where they have a 12-point lead at the top.

Despite comments from Simon Halliday, the former Championship clubs chairman, that Ealing would win a play-off with Newcastle, Diamond sees the loan as a way of ensuring the league stays at 10 clubs rather than dropping down to nine, which would impact TV deals and seriously concern sponsors.

Diamond, who will join his players on a flight to Exeter for Saturday’s important league clash trying to bounce back from the 39-15 defeat by Sale Sharks said: “I cannot magic the money to buy it and there are things going on in the background with potential investors and there is this story about CVC and one would only imagine that is common sense on their behalf.

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Gallagher Premiership

Exeter Chiefs

17 - 15

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Newcastle

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“Let’s be honest, our season hasn’t been great but we do fulfil the criteria. There is no real other option for the league because you don’t want nine teams. If anything, you want 12 teams so that revenue can be driven to the best by the number of home fixtures.

“I am relaxed about it and worked at Sale for a long time when we didn’t have any investors and you learn how to cook a Michelin star meal with Aldi produce. I am not doing that at the moment, and the plane is chartered for Friday to go to Exeter by Semore Kurdi (the owner) and he honours everything like that.

“I am in the same boat and I am not giving false hope or promises and all I say (to the squad) is we are in it together. We have to remain tight and hope for the best. The players have a massive say in how we do things.”