Momentum is gathering pace behind London Welsh’s campaign to overturn the Rugby Football Union (RFU)’s ruling against the proposed Premiership ground-share at Oxford’s Kassam Stadium.

Former England captain Will Carling was among the well-known figures to show their support for Welsh plight, which has featured prominently in the nat-ional print and broadcast media since the decision on Wednesday.

The Exiles were told by the RFU’s board of directors an audit by the Professional Game Board into their proposed move to Oxford had found it failed to meet the minimum standards criteria for Premiership rugby.

It centred around the club lacking primacy of tenure at the Kassam, limiting Premiership Rugby’s ability to schedule fixtures.

But London Welsh pointed to a glaring inconsistency exposed by the decision, that a third of the clubs already in the top flight, such as London Irish and London Wasps, also share with a football club, but are not under threat of expulsion.

Their response made it clear they were prepared to “explore all possible avenues off the pitch” to force a reversal of the decision and there has been plenty of sympathy for their cause.

On Twitter, Carling described London Welsh’s reply as a: “very well worded statement...seems to endorse the ‘cartel’ theory of the premiership (sic).”

Respected pundit and ex-England international Brian Moore was among those critical of Premiership Rugby, while Wales forward Ryan Jones Tweeted: “so @LondonWelshRFC don’t meet the magical RFU criteria for the top flight, shame as I’m sure they’d be a wonderful addition! #itsnotoveryet”

London Welsh’s promotion bid also hinges on winning their two-legged Championship play-off against Cornish Pirates.

They won 37-21 in Cornwall this week, with the second leg at the Kassam Stadium next Wednesday (7.45pm).

London Welsh have until June 6 to appeal the decision.