The decision to deny Rotherham promotion to the Zurich Premiership does not mean the top flight is a closed shop, insist English Rugby Limited (ERL).

National League winners Rotherham were excluded from the Premiership after the ERL rejected an application they claimed was littered with "uncertainty and confusion".

The decision has attracted widespread criticism, but ERL chief executive Francis Baron insists automatic promotion is still on offer to future National League.

"If that club meets the entry criteria, they will go up. That is what was agreed two years ago and nothing has changed."

And Baron insisted the ERL had little choice but to exclude Rotherham, claiming the club's proposed move from the cramped Clifton Lane to a ground-share at Rotherham United's Millmoor was not legally binding.

"The principle problem is that, to this day, Rotherham do not have a contract to play at any ground other than Clifton Lane next season," said Baron.

"Everyone accepts that Clifton Lane fails all the major aspects of ground criteria which currently apply.

"There are other clear weaknesses in their administrative structure and there was such uncertainty surrounding all the issues we were incapable of making a positive decision."

The ERL has given Rotherham a £720,000 'parachute' payment for another season in the National League, and ERL chairman Graeme Cattermole defended the decision.

"This is not a closed shop," said Cattermole. "It is unfortunate that perhaps Rotherham have left it a little late to deal with some of the issues."