The Championship Rebrand - it’s here! Meet The Champ.
By Paul I
May 15 2025
Following lots of comment, column inches and the missing of self-imposed deadlines, the much vaunted Tier 2 makeover was announced today. Much has been visible today, a brand new logo, branding , high press coverage and interest. It was released this afternoon at 5pm and I am glad to say ALL of the current teams played ball with the launch, a co-ordinated approach. Let's hope it lasts.
So, what's in it, at-a-glance? Here are the main components :
A 14-team league, the current 12 Championship teams, plus National One Champions, Richmond , plus the newly resurrected Phoenix club, Worcester Warriors.
Home and Away fixtures, played over 26 rounds. At the 26 rounds completion, the teams ranked 3rd - 6th will take part in quarter finals to earn entry into the semi-finals, where the winners will take on the top two ranked sides. Semi-final winners enter the final to determine the Champ Rugby champion. The overall winner will then face the bottom Premiership Rugby club in a promotion/relegation play-off, in a both home and away leg, to determine which league they will play in for the following campaign , subject to meeting the minimum standards criteria.
There will also be jeopardy at the bottom end of the table with the team finishing bottom getting relegated to National One. The 12th and 13th finishing teams will play a one-legged fixture with the loser taking part in a play-off against the winner of the National League One playoff to determine who will play in Champ Rugby the following season. This play-off is a one-legged fixture , with the winner joining the champions of National League One in Champ Rugby subject to the teams meeting Champ Rugby Minimum Operating Standards.
Champ Rugby, The Proving Ground
The Championship Rebrand - it’s here! Meet The Champ.
Posted by: Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged)
Date: 15/05/2025 23:25
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:06:20:12:51:08 by Kimbo.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:06:20:12:51:08 by Kimbo.
Re: The Championship Rebrand - it’s here! Meet The Champ.
Posted by: dawson9 (IP Logged)
Date: 16/05/2025 07:01
Some good and some bad.
- I like the playoffs ideas even if only for extending the season. Too many weekends with no games and no cash in clubs coffers over last few years.
- as a LS fan the clarity over DR players is good and will ensure we have to bolster our squad appropriately.
- Relegation and promotion into the leagye is a good thing. Makes every game count (especially when potentially not being in the bottom three rather than bottom means you have a chance to go down).
The bad
- Wonder which genius was paid a lot of money to rebrand the championship to 'the champ'
- no title sponsor.
- no tv deal. Not even remotely a surprise.
- interesting they've announced promo playoffs when a) the minimum standards are still in effect so most likely they're pointless bar for a handful of clubs and b) the premiership is talking about ringfencing and franchising anyway
- I like the playoffs ideas even if only for extending the season. Too many weekends with no games and no cash in clubs coffers over last few years.
- as a LS fan the clarity over DR players is good and will ensure we have to bolster our squad appropriately.
- Relegation and promotion into the leagye is a good thing. Makes every game count (especially when potentially not being in the bottom three rather than bottom means you have a chance to go down).
The bad
- Wonder which genius was paid a lot of money to rebrand the championship to 'the champ'
- no title sponsor.
- no tv deal. Not even remotely a surprise.
- interesting they've announced promo playoffs when a) the minimum standards are still in effect so most likely they're pointless bar for a handful of clubs and b) the premiership is talking about ringfencing and franchising anyway
Re: The Championship Rebrand - it’s here! Meet The Champ.
Posted by: dawson9 (IP Logged)
Date: 16/05/2025 07:07
Also reading between the lines, the announcement is very clear exactly where the leagues teams for 2
6/27 will come from with not much wriggle room. Doesn't look like there's any future spots for wasps or Irish
6/27 will come from with not much wriggle room. Doesn't look like there's any future spots for wasps or Irish
Re: The Championship Rebrand - it’s here! Meet The Champ.
Posted by: Paul Ingleston (IP Logged)
Date: 16/05/2025 07:14
Welcome again Dawson9, and thank you once more for your valid and excellent contribution.
It's my understanding that there are constantly talks, hopes or desires to find a league sponsor and also a TV deal. It's just like everything else atm, the uncertainty about finances, worldwide, hasn't helped.
See you.
It's my understanding that there are constantly talks, hopes or desires to find a league sponsor and also a TV deal. It's just like everything else atm, the uncertainty about finances, worldwide, hasn't helped.
See you.
Re: The Championship Rebrand - it’s here! Meet The Champ.
Posted by: bigm/ mark harrison. (IP Logged)
Date: 16/05/2025 07:38
Overall the changes needed to truly make it a relaunch/rebranding were missing yesterday. At this point the same two points remain from this season, no guaranteed promotion, no increase in money from the rfu.
As of yesterday there is no sponsor for the league, games to be streamed...no mention of who broadcasting. Premiss of winning the league outright goes to extend interest to the end of the season,so the winner of the league is guaranteed nothing. Unlike the championship in football,where the winner is guaranteed and the others fight it out. The problem being play offs are geared to success,winning the league and going up. Firstly only a few teams applied to see if they were able to go up and only doncaster were. We have seen ourselves in our own city this week how if the city could not get promoted,what would the level of excitement of been if no promotion whatever had happenedagainst sunderland. The restrictions on english qualified players on match day squads and only 6 dual registered players are excellent,but will cause issues for some clubs....The new name for the league was very disappointing.
At the end of the day im pleased for chinnor and cambridge, who will not have the repeat of the season of hell that they had this year, with lack of fixtures and enormous rest periods.
As of yesterday there is no sponsor for the league, games to be streamed...no mention of who broadcasting. Premiss of winning the league outright goes to extend interest to the end of the season,so the winner of the league is guaranteed nothing. Unlike the championship in football,where the winner is guaranteed and the others fight it out. The problem being play offs are geared to success,winning the league and going up. Firstly only a few teams applied to see if they were able to go up and only doncaster were. We have seen ourselves in our own city this week how if the city could not get promoted,what would the level of excitement of been if no promotion whatever had happenedagainst sunderland. The restrictions on english qualified players on match day squads and only 6 dual registered players are excellent,but will cause issues for some clubs....The new name for the league was very disappointing.
At the end of the day im pleased for chinnor and cambridge, who will not have the repeat of the season of hell that they had this year, with lack of fixtures and enormous rest periods.
Re: The Championship Rebrand - it’s here! Meet The Champ.
Posted by: bigm/ mark harrison. (IP Logged)
Date: 16/05/2025 08:09
One thing missing in the details announced, was standards at grounds expected for spectators, players , broadcasters, medical facilities etc.
Re: The Championship Rebrand - it’s here! Meet The Champ.
Posted by: SunMan62 (IP Logged)
Date: 16/05/2025 12:14
Sadly Chump Rugby is now an invitational league with a new entrant devaluing the competition for decent clubs who should have earned a place due to their on-field efforts.
Re: The Championship Rebrand - it’s here! Meet The Champ.
Posted by: covkid1953 (IP Logged)
Date: 17/05/2025 12:36
I don't like the play off format, a runaway winner of national one could get turned over in a "bad day at the office". Same issue at the bottom of T2.
It's a very unfair system that's been tried before and failed because nobody liked it, not least the club's..
Better top nat 1 play bottom T2 in a two legged game, same T2 to T1 promotion.
It's a very unfair system that's been tried before and failed because nobody liked it, not least the club's..
Better top nat 1 play bottom T2 in a two legged game, same T2 to T1 promotion.
Re: The Championship Rebrand - it’s here! Meet The Champ.
Posted by: dawson9 (IP Logged)
Date: 17/05/2025 13:49
Quote:I don't like the play off format, a runaway winner of national one could get turned over in a "bad day at the office". Same issue at the bottom of T2.
Unless I've misread it bottom of Champ/N1 winners are automatic up and down. The plays off as those just above the bottom club vs N1 runner up
Re: The Championship Rebrand - it’s here! Meet The Champ.
Posted by: covkid1953 (IP Logged)
Date: 17/05/2025 15:27
Quote:dawson9Quote:I don't like the play off format, a runaway winner of national one could get turned over in a "bad day at the office". Same issue at the bottom of T2.
Unless I've misread it bottom of Champ/N1 winners are automatic up and down. The plays off as those just above the bottom club vs N1 runner up
Quote: "the loser taking part in a play-off against the winner of the National League One playoff".
National 1 has a playoff.
Re: The Championship Rebrand - it’s here! Meet The Champ.
Posted by: dawson9 (IP Logged)
Date: 17/05/2025 15:46
"This play-off (Access Final) will be a one-legged fixture, with the winner joining the champion of National League 1 in Champ Rugby,"
Yer there's a play off but I'm assuming it's the teams from 2-3 or 2-6 in N1. The winner of n1 is automatically promoted and replaces bottom of champ. The playoffs are for the potential second promo spot
Yer there's a play off but I'm assuming it's the teams from 2-3 or 2-6 in N1. The winner of n1 is automatically promoted and replaces bottom of champ. The playoffs are for the potential second promo spot
Re: The Championship Rebrand - it’s here! Meet The Champ.
Posted by: covkid1953 (IP Logged)
Date: 17/05/2025 21:01
Quote:dawson9
"This play-off (Access Final) will be a one-legged fixture, with the winner joining the champion of National League 1 in Champ Rugby,"
Yer there's a play off but I'm assuming it's the teams from 2-3 or 2-6 in N1. The winner of n1 is automatically promoted and replaces bottom of champ. The playoffs are for the potential second promo spot
One N1 is promoted and the losing playoff T2 is relegated only if N1 winner meets the very strict T2 criteria.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:05:17:21:03:09 by covkid1953.
Re: The Championship Rebrand - it’s here! Meet The Champ.
Posted by: neiljk (IP Logged)
Date: 18/05/2025 14:09
Quote:SunMan62
Sadly Chump Rugby is now an invitational league with a new entrant devaluing the competition for decent clubs who should have earned a place due to their on-field efforts.
Still banging that tired drum…
Re: The Championship Rebrand - it’s here! Meet The Champ.
Posted by: Wazeroonie (IP Logged)
Date: 18/05/2025 17:01
I hate this unfortunately. Might as well have the top 7 play off for promotion and bottom 7 play off for relegation. ‘The Champ’ just seems like over engineered nonsense. For an official league name it is atrocious by the way. It sounds like someone chucked the name in at the end of a very long strategy meeting and as everyone wanted to go home they just said yeah sure why not who cares.
I know the Prem and URC have play offs for the overall winner, but they are the top leagues. It doesn’t make sense to me that the best team over the season can’t get the chance of promotion -putting all the minimum standards bo11ocks to one side.
Pi55ing about with the format won’t change much I fear.
I know the Prem and URC have play offs for the overall winner, but they are the top leagues. It doesn’t make sense to me that the best team over the season can’t get the chance of promotion -putting all the minimum standards bo11ocks to one side.
Pi55ing about with the format won’t change much I fear.
Re: The Championship Rebrand - it’s here! Meet The Champ.
Posted by: SunMan62 (IP Logged)
Date: 19/05/2025 15:03
Quote:neiljkQuote:SunMan62
Sadly Chump Rugby is now an invitational league with a new entrant devaluing the competition for decent clubs who should have earned a place due to their on-field efforts.
Still banging that tired drum…
Still trolling others?
Re: The Championship Rebrand - it’s here! Meet The Champ.
Posted by: covkid1953 (IP Logged)
Date: 20/05/2025 14:47
So replacing the cup competition with a ridiculous top and bottom playoff system to ensure Wuss get two or three stabs at promotion.
Two to go down "if meeting criteria" is another nonsense because a perfectly viable Chump club could fall through the cracks of the new relegation trapdoor, or not if criteria not met.
Why bother to play any playoff fixtures where criteria isn't met?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:05:20:18:28:24 by covkid1953.
Two to go down "if meeting criteria" is another nonsense because a perfectly viable Chump club could fall through the cracks of the new relegation trapdoor, or not if criteria not met.
Why bother to play any playoff fixtures where criteria isn't met?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:05:20:18:28:24 by covkid1953.
Re: The Championship Rebrand - it’s here! Meet The Champ.
Posted by: Paul Rossborough (IP Logged)
Date: 20/05/2025 18:05
To be fair, it might also be a good opportunity to see crease revenue for clubs absolutely desperate for it due to the lack of funding/support from elsewhere.
Re: The Championship Rebrand - it’s here! Meet The Champ.
Posted by: covkid1953 (IP Logged)
Date: 20/05/2025 18:30
Quote:Paul Rossborough
To be fair, it might also be a good opportunity to see crease revenue for clubs absolutely desperate for it due to the lack of funding/support from elsewhere.
Yes, gate income for clubs is vital.
But is gerrymandering the system the way to do it?
Re: The Championship Rebrand - it’s here! Meet The Champ.
Posted by: bigm/ mark harrison. (IP Logged)
Date: 22/05/2025 08:27
Let us hope that nat 1 and the champ fixtures are some way aligned to allow fairness to the nat 1 team in a play off fixture. Because we already know of an october league start courtesy of wuss ceo. If it happened this season nat 1 finished 26th april and would then be playing in june for a place in the chomp, totally unfair.
Re: The Championship Rebrand - it’s here! Meet The Champ.
Posted by: dawson9 (IP Logged)
Date: 22/05/2025 09:13
Isnt there an issue with the fact the two leagues play two different tackle rules as well?
Re: The Championship Rebrand - it’s here! Meet The Champ.
Posted by: bigm/ mark harrison. (IP Logged)
Date: 22/05/2025 10:01
what an excellent point dawson. lots of thought gone into then....
Re: The Championship Rebrand - it’s here! Meet The Champ.
Posted by: JAB1957 (IP Logged)
Date: 22/05/2025 13:22
A couple of questions (not comments):
Is it correct that Tier 2 clubs can have "unlimited" dual registered players, but only six can be included in a match day squad?
Will a dual registered player need to have played in a minimum level of games for the Tier 2 (or ND1) club during the regular season, in order to participate in a play off match?
Is it correct that Tier 2 clubs can have "unlimited" dual registered players, but only six can be included in a match day squad?
Will a dual registered player need to have played in a minimum level of games for the Tier 2 (or ND1) club during the regular season, in order to participate in a play off match?
Re: The Championship Rebrand - it’s here! Meet The Champ.
Posted by: dawson9 (IP Logged)
Date: 22/05/2025 14:32
Quote:Is it correct that Tier 2 clubs can have "unlimited" dual registered players, but only six can be included in a match day squad?
It was never in the official announcement, but the BBC included it in their comms.
Was at Scottish last week, and talking to some of the higher ups in the bar - we are looking to recruit in light of this, as we probably need another 6/7 players. Someone mentioned on the Worcester board, Ampthill actively looking to recruit heavily as well.
Re: The Championship Rebrand - it’s here! Meet The Champ.
Posted by: Paul Ingleston (IP Logged)
Date: 22/05/2025 14:53
[quote dawson9][quote]
Was at Scottish last week, and talking to some of the higher ups in the bar - we are looking to recruit in light of this, as we probably need another 6/7 players. Someone mentioned on the Worcester board, Ampthill actively looking to recruit heavily as well.[/quote]
It was always likely to affect both Ampthill and Scottish, these new rules. Not too sure if it's going to affect Bedford as , I think, they have a larger amount of players and although they have DR or loan players, they would probably be below the threshold. But, like everything else, the clubs will be looking to circumvent the new proposals. As Rafa Benitez was fond of saying, " That's a fact!"
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:05:22:14:59:22 by Paul Ingleston.
Was at Scottish last week, and talking to some of the higher ups in the bar - we are looking to recruit in light of this, as we probably need another 6/7 players. Someone mentioned on the Worcester board, Ampthill actively looking to recruit heavily as well.[/quote]
It was always likely to affect both Ampthill and Scottish, these new rules. Not too sure if it's going to affect Bedford as , I think, they have a larger amount of players and although they have DR or loan players, they would probably be below the threshold. But, like everything else, the clubs will be looking to circumvent the new proposals. As Rafa Benitez was fond of saying, " That's a fact!"
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:05:22:14:59:22 by Paul Ingleston.
Re: The Championship Rebrand - it’s here! Meet The Champ.
Posted by: JAB1957 (IP Logged)
Date: 22/05/2025 15:34
Would it be possible to double register a lot of players, including Premiership fringe players, who would hardly ever play for the "secondary" club, but then make appearances in the play-offs?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:05:22:17:22:32 by JAB1957.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:05:22:17:22:32 by JAB1957.
Re: The Championship Rebrand - it’s here! Meet The Champ.
Posted by: Kimbo (IP Logged)
Date: 22/05/2025 17:28
Quote:If there's any kind of sensible thinking (!?!?) they'd have to play a certain number of games during the regular season.JAB1957
Would it be possible to double register a lot of players, including Premiership fringe players, who would hardly ever play for the "secondary" club, but then make appearances in the play-offs?
But... RFU etc.
Re: The Championship Rebrand - it’s here! Meet The Champ.
Posted by: covkid1953 (IP Logged)
Date: 11/06/2025 18:55
"newly resurrected Phoenix club, Worcester Warriors"
😂
A millionaire vanity rugby club plaything until something bigger comes along (Wasps) and then they'll be off.
Wuss fans and local businesses should start a rescue fund now before it's needed.
The owners can't have two clubs and wanted the insects to make money. They're not done with Wasps by a long shot.
😂
A millionaire vanity rugby club plaything until something bigger comes along (Wasps) and then they'll be off.
Wuss fans and local businesses should start a rescue fund now before it's needed.
The owners can't have two clubs and wanted the insects to make money. They're not done with Wasps by a long shot.
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