LONDON Welsh have won their appeal against a Rugby Football Union (RFU) decision preventing them from winning promotion to the Premiership.

The ruling by an independent panel paves the way for the Exiles, who have agreed a deal to play at Oxford's Kassam Stadium, to take their place in the top flight.

London Welsh won the Championship play-off in May, staging their home leg at the Kassam, but were told by the RFU their groundshare plans failed the Premiership's minimum standards criteria.

But after presenting their case at a hearing in London yesterday the decision was overturned.

Newcastle Falcons, who finished bottom of the Premiership, will be relegated as a result.