Runners and riders

There are twelve clubs competing  in the RFU Championship next season. One thing is certain - one of those clubs will top the league. What is less certain is that one of the twelve teams will be promoted to the Premiership after the ubiquitous play-offs. Here is my take on the teams in the competition....

Bedford: Consistently good in this division and, on their day, irresistible. Best team I saw last season (at Otley). I expect the Blues to finish in the top four and to give a good account of themselves in the play-offs. Whether the ground at Goldstone Road is up to AP standards is a topic for another day.

Bristol: The club is steeped in rugby tradition. Andy Robinson is an experienced coach. The club have been recruiting experienced players. All the pieces are falling into place. Favourites? Of course they are. I expect them to top the league in the regular season and then reach the final of the play-offs (at least).

Cornish Pirates: Last season was a poor one for the Pirates and well below what we have come to expect from them. The stadium seems to be no nearer a reality. I fear another season of building beckons and cannot see the Pirates finishing higher than 6th.

Ealing Trailfinders: It is a big step up from Nat1 to the Championship. It is possible to survive your 1st season at this level ( London Scottish and Jersey spring to mind) However  Ealing will be looking to finish 11th at least in the coming campaign. They might get lucky.

Jersey: The Islanders found it hard going before Christmas but managed to adapt to the rigours of Championship rugby just in time to stay up. They have lost some good players in the close season. This year they will be full-time pros. A bottom 4 finish is on the cards but I think that they will survive.

Leeds: A settled squad plus a new coach. Can JL build on the form that saw Leeds surge into the play-offs last time out? Much is expected but the squad will break up if the target of promotion is not achieved. The tough start to the season will give a good indication of what we can expect.

London Scottish: The Exiles showed signs last season that they have established themselves in the Championship . They could well be the "surprise package" in this coming campaign. A top six finish is a realistic target.

London Welsh: After a battling season in the AP Welsh will be keen to bounce straight back up. They have lost a few players but retain the rump of a squad that will want to put things right. I expect LW to get to the play-offs in the coming campaign,

Moseley: Mose found it hard going last season.They have lost key players but have retained the majority of their squad. Expect them to cause a few upsets but, at the end of the season they will be in the relegation zone

Nottingham:Will Nottingham's well publicised financial troubles affect the team's performance on the pitch. In the long run it must as the squad will not be as big as last season. However, in Martin Haag, they have a coach who has shown that he can get the very best out the players who are available to him. I expect Nottingham to finish in the top 6.

Rotherham: A first full season with Lee Blackett at the helm. Ed Williamson will add "biff" to the pack. Clifton Lane is always a difficult pitch to play on. I predict a season of consolidation for Lee's boys with a mid-table finish.

Plymouth Albion: Another club which has not been punching it's weight of late. Albion have signed Rhys Oakley in the close season. Rhys may well add strength and knowledge to the Albion pack but has he got players of sufficient quality around him to lift he club to the business end of the league? Another season of struggle beckons for Plymouth.

So there you have it. A lot of unknowns  will influence the outcome of the regular season including the quality of the dual registered players who are loaned to the Championship clubs from the AP. Bristol are favourites in my book but watch out for Bedford, Leeds and London Welsh. Consistency is the key. This season the race is wide open. Bring it on.