Launched
By Frank Stormont
August 26 2009
Just over a week before the first match and we are in the CHAMPIONSHIP!
It has all started now.
ENGLISH Rugby's new Championship was launched today with the ultimate prize - a place in the Guinness Premiership!
With the 12 teams playing off for the position in one of the three pools when the real competition. The top 8 play for a promotion into the Guinness and the bottom 4 play to stay in the Championship.
A quirk of the system will mean that the team that finish in 8th could win promotion where as the 9th team, which could be just one point below 8th finish up in National League 1!
RFU Chief Executive Francis Baron said: "The RFU Championship will be a vital part of the structure of rugby in this country.
"Significant investment from the RFU and Premier Rugby Ltd, coupled with more matches and television coverage under the SkySports contract, will give the clubs more financial security than ever before and create a vibrant and viable structure to take the game forward."
RFU Elite Rugby Director Rob Andrew said: "The Championship will provide quality rugby for spectators as well as developing players, coaches and referees in a competitive and professional environment.
The nuts and bolts
Bedford Blues, Birmingham & Solihull, Bristol Rugby, Cornish Pirates, Coventry, Doncaster Knights, Exeter Chiefs, London Welsh, Moseley, Nottingham Rugby, Plymouth Albion, Rotherham Titans
League programme (22 matches)
* all teams playing 22 matches (11 home & 11 away)
* 4 points for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 bonus point for either a) scoring * 4 or more tries or b) losing by 7 points or less
* top 8 teams from league progress to promotion play-offs
* teams 9-12 from league progress to relegation play-offs
Promotion play-offs (8 matches)
* 2 pools of 4 teams playing 6 matches (3 home & 3 away)
* 4 points for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 bonus point for either a) scoring * 4 or more tries or b) losing by 7 points or less
* teams ranked 1, 4, 5 & 8 from league play in Pool A
* teams ranked 2, 3, 6 & 7 from league play in Pool B
* after 6 pool matches, top 2 teams from Pools A & B progress to semi final and then the winners to the final
* semi final draw - 1st Pool A v 2nd Pool B & 1st Pool B v 2nd Pool A
* promotion play-off matches scheduled March 13 - April 17
* semi finals May 1 & final May 8 at Twickenham
* winner of Championship final promoted to Guinness Premiership subject to fulfilling entry criteria
Relegation play-offs (6 matches)
* 1 pool of 4 teams playing 6 matches (3 home & 3 away)
* 4 points for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 bonus point for either a) scoring
* 4 or more tries or b) losing by 7 points or less
* relegation play-off matches scheduled for March 13 - April 17
* after 6 pool matches played, lowest ranked team is relegated to newly-named National Division One (level three)
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Don't let anything get in the way of a good game of RugbySo I think NO!!!
Always forwards never backwards!
Albi Albi Albi
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:08:27:00:38:08 by p.a.f.
Don't let anything get in the way of a good game of RugbyAn inspector of some sort was checking out your seat today by the way, something about being out of bounds or something he said, not sure as to wether he was refering to your seat or S.B.E's, if you don't get your season ticket you'll know why won't you.
Semper Sersum.
Quote:Barzillai Beckerleg Bennetts
mind you, most of the Brizzle fans think they have a god given right to be in the Prem anyway.
Care to back that up with evidence?
Semper Sersum.
crouch........touch...........pause..........engage
Not long to go now!
Two quotes off your site but there were many more.
'Happily ignored that league since 2005'
'Lets make this a flying visit to a league we spend only one season in and get back IMMEDIATELY to where we belong.
Talking of freeloading, there are a few pretenders to my crown out there so i will going all out to keep it .This season im going to push for that family weekend (all free of course )for the Brizzle game.Then beat this one,the Memsahib is one telephone call away to family in Leicester to an all inclusive fun filled jolly to a Tigers PREM home match.No wonder my wallet is always full.