Ealing Trailfinders fly-half Steven Shingler believes Newcastle Falcons' promotion to the Premiership was not inevitable, despite his side trailing the league leaders by 18 points. 

On Thursday, the RFU announced the Championship’s final standings would be determined by a playing record formula, which saw unbeaten Newcastle Falcons pip Ealing to promotion. 

"Well, it is surprising,” Shingler told Sky Sports News. 

“I didn't really think there would any promotion or relegation in any leagues. As a keen sports fan, I have been following Welsh rugby, Scottish rugby and Irish rugby and there is no promotion in any leagues.

"To hear Newcastle are going up, it seems like there is one rule for one and one rule for another, but having said that they probably deserve to go up.

"I would have just loved to have another crack at them. We felt we were probably the better side at home, albeit they beat us with a bonus point, so it sounds a little bit naive and silly saying that.”

The decision sees Ealing finish second in the league for the third consecutive season and Shingler hopes Trailfinders can carry their form into next year. 

"It is mainly just to challenge ourselves again,” he added. 

“We have gone undefeated since the turn of the New Year so the opportunity to play a Premiership side and the best side in the league was one I was looking forward to.”