THE?CORNISH All Blacks will be allowed to continue to play rugby at Polson Bridge, Launceston, in National Division One in the coming season — but only on a temporary basis until changes required by the Rugby Football Union have been put in place, and they will be handicapped by a 20 point deduction from game one against Rosslyn Park.

After going into voluntary liquidation to avoid being wound up by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) because of serious financial problems, the RFU has granted a temporary licence for the club to play in the 2010/2011 season.

But, a full licence is dependent on a number of conditions being met by October 4.

Whilst a statement by the club has greeted with "pleasure" and no doubt, considerable relief, the temporary licence, it comes with the deduction of 20 league points — a considerable burden.

Although the club finished in the top three last season, the coming campaign looks set to be a battle to avoid relegation to a lower division.

In order to gain five points from a match, the All Blacks have to win and score four tries in the process. So, four such victories would be needed to wipe out the 20-point deficit and go from a negative total to a positive one.

As the 'Post' reported last week, a new club has been formed which sought RFU go-ahead to take over the assets and league position of the old defunct club. The new organisation is called Launceston Rugby Club Ltd.

The statement from Polson Bridge thanks the RFU and says they "look forward to re-paying their faith in Launceston Rugby Club by ensuring that there will be sustainable rugby played in Launceston for many years to come."

The full statement reads: "It is with pleasure that we can today announce that we have had confirmation from RFU Chairman of Governance Peter Baines that Launceston Rugby Club Limited have been granted a temporary licence to play rugby in National Division 1 for the 2010-2011 Season.

Obtaining a full licence will be conditional upon a number of criteria being fulfilled by Saturday 4th October 2010.

For Launceston Rugby Club Limited to be considered for permanent membership of the Union then it must, during the period of the temporary licence, meet a number of conditions to the RFU Board of Directors' satisfaction, the process of which has already been commenced.

In addition, by calling a meeting to liquidate Launceston Rugby Football Club Limited, under RFU Regulations Launceston Rugby Club will start the season with the deduction of 20 league points in advance of their first National League One game at Rosslyn Park.

Launceston Rugby Club would like to publicly acknowledge and offer sincere thanks to Richard Simeons, Treasurer of the Cornwall RFU, whose support and assistance throughout this whole process has been invaluable, and also Norman Robertson, Chair­man of the NCA, who has been unwavering in his support, not only in attending the meeting with the RFU at Twickenham, but also his general knowledge and expertise of the regulations and by spending numerous hours giving advice to the committee, of Launceston Rugby Club.

Finally, we would like to thank the RFU and Peter Baines in particular, for their understanding and assistance through this process, and look forward to re-paying their faith in Launceston Rugby Club by ensuring that there will be sustainable rugby played in Launceston for many years to come.

Chairman & Executive Committee."