2013–14 RFU Championship

The 2013–14 RFU Championship, known for sponsorship reasons as the Greene King IPA Championship, was the fifth season of the professionalised format of the RFU Championship, the second tier of the English rugby union league system run by the Rugby Football Union. It was held between 14 September 2013 and 4 June 2014. It was contested by eleven English clubs and one from Jersey in the Channel Islands. It was also the first Championship season with a title sponsor, as the Rugby Football Union and Greene King Brewery reached a deal by which the brewery would become the competition's main sponsor from 2013–14 through to 2016–17.[3]

2013–14 Greene King IPA Championship
Countries England
 Jersey
Date14 September 2013 – 4 June 2014
ChampionsLondon Welsh
Runners-upBristol
RelegatedEaling Trailfinders
Matches played138
Attendance289,423
(average 2,097 per match)
Highest attendance10,905 Bristol at home to London Welsh on 4 June 2014
Lowest attendance473 Ealing Trailfinders at home to Nottingham on 12 April 2014
Tries scored807
(average 5.8 per match)
Top point scorerArgentina Juan Pablo Socino
(Rotherham) 300 points[1]
Top try scorerEngland Miles Mantella
(London Scottish) 19 tries[2]

After being promoted after an appeal in the previous season, London Welsh were relegated back into the RFU Championship after finishing last in the 2012-13 English Premiership.[4] As a result of relegation, they remained at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford instead of returning to their home ground of Old Deer Park in London in order to strengthen their support base.[5] London Welsh replaced Newcastle Falcons who were promoted into the English Premiership after winning the play-off final against Bedford Blues.[6] Doncaster Knights were relegated to the 2013–14 National League 1[7] and were replaced by the champions of National League 1, Ealing Trailfinders who played in the RFU Championship for the first time.[8]

The twelve clubs in the 2013–14 RFU Championship also participated in the 2013–14 edition of the British and Irish Cup along with clubs from Wales, Scotland and Ireland.[9] Matches in the RFU Championship were broadcast on Sky Sports.[10]

Structure

The Championship's structure had all the teams playing each other on a home and away basis. In a change to previous years, this season commenced with an extra round of games in the "Greene King IPA Big Rugby Weekend". Matches were played on the weekend of 14 and 15 September with three double headers at neutral grounds: Saracens' Allianz Park, Doncaster's Castle Park and Exeter's Sandy Park.[11]

The play–off structure remained the same as the previous year.[12] The top four teams at the end of the home–and–away season qualified for the promotion play–offs, which followed a 1 v 4, 2 v 3 system. The winners had to meet the RFU's Minimum Standards Criteria in order to be promoted to the Premiership. If they had failed to meet the criteria, then there would have been no promotion from the RFU Championship.[13] However, on 9 May 2014, the RFU announced that all four play-off participants had met the Minimum Standards Criteria, assuring that the champion would indeed be promoted to the 2014–15 Premiership.[14] There was no relegation play–off; the bottom team was automatically relegated.[12] Following an agreement with the RFU in 2012, each RFU Championship club received £355,000 in funding from the RFU for the season.[15]

Participating teams

Club Stadium Capacity Area
Bedford Blues Goldington Road 6,000 Bedford, Bedfordshire
Bristol Memorial Stadium 12,100 Bristol
Cornish Pirates Mennaye Field 4,000 (2,200 Seats) Penzance, Cornwall
Ealing Trailfinders Trailfinders Sports Ground 3,020 (1,200 seats) West Ealing, London
Jersey St. Peter 5,000 Saint Peter, Jersey
Leeds Carnegie Headingley Rugby Stadium 20,250 Leeds, West Yorkshire
London Scottish Athletic Ground, Richmond 4,500 Richmond, London
London Welsh Kassam Stadium 12,500 Oxford, Oxfordshire[n 1]
Moseley Billesley Common 3,000+ Birmingham, West Midlands
Nottingham Meadow Lane 19,588 Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Plymouth Albion The Brickfields 8,500 Plymouth, Devon
Rotherham Titans Clifton Lane
Abbeydale Park[n 2]
2,500
3,200
Rotherham, South Yorkshire
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Notes
  1. Despite being relegated from the Premiership at the end of the 2012–13 season, London Welsh remained at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford instead of returning to their home ground of Old Deer Park in London in order to strengthen their support base.[5] However, they played two matches at their traditional home:[16]
    • against Moseley in Round 18 on 9 March 2014
    • against Nottingham in Round 23 on 26 April 2014
  2. Rotherham would have to play their final league game and any playoff games at Abbeydale Park in Sheffield due to a dispute with Rotherham Cricket Club over ground sharing at Clifton Lane.[17][18]

League table

2013–14 Greene King IPA Championship Table
Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points For Points Against Points Difference Try Bonus Losing Bonus Points
1Bristol (RU)23190478650528118396[n 1]
2London Welsh (CH)23190472434837610288
3Leeds Carnegie (SF)23180570038731310284
4Rotherham Titans (SF)23170671847424411180
5London Scottish23140955442313110266
6Cornish Pirates2310211456554-984351
7Moseley239113449575-1264244
8Plymouth Albion236116467588-1215940
9Bedford Blues237016472624-1525538
10Nottingham235117413610-1973934
11Jersey236017423629-2061629[n 2]
12Ealing Trailfinders (R)235117365810-4455128
  • If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Difference between points for and against
  3. Total number of points for
  4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  5. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
  1. Bristol were deducted 1 competition point for failing to reduce to 14 men when going to uncontested scrums against Bedford on 6 October.[19]
    • Jersey were deducted 2 competition points for fielding an ineligible player.[20]
      Green background are promotion play-off places. Pink background is the relegation place.
      Updated 5 June 2014 — Current English Leagues source: RFU

      Regular season

      The 2013–14 RFU Championship kicked off on the weekend of 14 and 15 September with the "Greene King IPA Big Rugby Weekend", an extra round of matches played as three double headers at neutral grounds.[11] Thereafter, each team played the other twice on a home and away basis with the top four qualifying for the promotion phase.

      Round 1 (Big Rugby Weekend)

      14 September 2013
      13:00
      Ealing Trailfinders13 – 44London Scottish (BP)
      Ealing
      Scottish
      Allianz Park
      Attendance: 1,550
      Referee: Darren Gamage
      14 September 2013
      13:00
      Moseley24 – 42Rotherham (BP)
      Rotherham
      Moseley
      Castle Park
      Attendance: 1,050
      Referee: Ian Tempest
      14 September 2013
      15:15
      London Welsh23 – 14Bedford Blues
      Welsh
      Bedford
      Allianz Park
      Attendance: 1,550
      Referee: Matthew Carley
      14 September 2013
      15:15
      Nottingham24 – 16Leeds Carnegie
      Nottingham
      Leeds
      Castle Park
      Attendance: 1,098
      Referee: Greg MacDonald
      15 September 2013
      13:15
      Plymouth Albion (BP)41 – 27Jersey
      Plymouth
      Jersey
      Sandy Park
      Attendance: 3,752
      Referee: Simon Harding
      15 September 2013
      15:30
      Cornish Pirates23 – 21Bristol (BP)
      Pirates
      Bristol
      Sandy Park
      Attendance: 3,752
      Referee: David Rose

      Round 2

      20 September 2013
      19:45
      Cornish Pirates (BP)20 – 27Leeds Carnegie (BP)
      Pirates
      Leeds
      The Mennaye
      Attendance: 1,844
      Referee: Ross Campbell
      20 September 2013
      19:45
      Plymouth Albion (BP)34 – 34Moseley (BP)
      Plymouth
      Brickfields
      Attendance: 1,746
      Referee: Matthew Carley
      21 September 2013
      15:00
      Jersey26 – 14Bedford Blues
      Jersey
      Bedford
      St Peter
      Attendance: 2,265
      Referee: Luke Pearce
      21 September 2013
      15:00
      Rotherham (BP)79 – 9Ealing Trailfinders
      Rotherham
      Ealing
      Clifton Lane
      Attendance: 1,257
      Referee: John Meredith
      22 September 2013
      15:00
      Bristol (BP)31 – 18London Scottish
      Bristol
      Scottish
      Memorial Stadium
      Attendance: 5,320
      Referee: Greg MacDonald
      22 September 2013
      15:00
      Nottingham19 – 46London Welsh (BP)
      Nottingham
      Welsh
      Meadow Lane
      Attendance: 1,164
      Referee: Ian Tempest

      Round 3

      28 September 2013
      14:30
      London Welsh (BP)40 – 9Plymouth Albion
      Welsh
      Plymouth
      Kassam Stadium
      Attendance: 999
      Referee: Ross Campbell
      28 September 2013
      15:00
      Bedford Blues (2 BP)28 – 29Leeds Carnegie
      Bedford
      Leeds
      Goldington Road
      Attendance: 2,754
      Referee: Steve Lee
      28 September 2013
      15:00
      Ealing Trailfinders17 – 31Cornish Pirates (BP)
      Ealing
      Pirates
      Trailfinders Sports Ground
      Attendance: 1,000
      Referee: Matthew Carley
      28 September 2013
      15:00
      Jersey17 – 26Bristol (BP)
      Jersey
      Bristol
      St Peter
      Attendance: 2,590
      Referee: Ian Tempest
      28 September 2013
      15:00
      London Scottish27 – 6Nottingham
      Scottish
      Nottingham
      Richmond Athletic Ground
      Attendance: 1,394
      Referee: Simon Harding
      28 September 2013
      15:00
      Moseley21 – 47Rotherham (BP)
      Moseley
      Rotherham
      Billesley Common
      Attendance: 938
      Referee: Greg MacDonald

      Round 4

      4 October 2013
      19:45
      Cornish Pirates (BP)28 – 13Moseley
      Pirates
      Moseley
      The Mennaye
      Attendance: 1,374
      Referee: Simon Harding
      4 October 2013
      19:45
      Plymouth Albion (BP)20 – 22London Scottish
      Plymouth
      Scottish
      Brickfields
      Attendance: 1,904
      Referee: Darren Gamage
      4 October 2013
      20:00
      Leeds Carnegie (BP)64 – 3Ealing Trailfinders
      Leeds
      Ealing
      Headingley
      Attendance: 2,194
      Referee: Ian Tempest
      5 October 2013
      15:00
      Rotherham (2 BP)27 – 32London Welsh
      Rotherham
      Welsh
      Clifton Lane
      Attendance: 1,828
      Referee: Steve Lee
      6 October 2013
      15:00
      Bristol (BP)45 – 27Bedford Blues (BP)
      Bristol
      Bedford
      Memorial Stadium
      Attendance: 4,817
      Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
      6 October 2013
      15:00
      Nottingham (BP)19 – 22Jersey
      Nottingham
      Jersey
      Meadow Lane
      Attendance: 1,562
      Referee: Ross Campbell

      Round 5

      25 October 2013
      19:30
      London Scottish (BP)23 – 24Rotherham
      Scottish
      Rotherham
      Richmond Athletic Ground
      Attendance: 1,103
      Referee: David Rose
      26 October 2013
      14:30
      (BP) Jersey18 – 23Plymouth Albion
      Jersey
      Plymouth
      St Peter
      Attendance: 2,216
      Referee: Martin Fox
      26 October 2013
      15:00
      Moseley18 – 27Leeds Carnegie (BP)
      Moseley
      Leeds
      Billesley Common
      Attendance: 774
      Referee: Darren Gamage
      26 October 2013
      18:30
      (BP) London Welsh41 – 6Cornish Pirates
      Welsh
      Pirates
      Kassam Stadium
      Attendance: 1,203
      Referee: Ian Tempest
      27 October 2013
      15:15
      (BP) Bedford Blues31 – 14Ealing Trailfinders
      Bedford
      Ealing
      Goldington Road
      Attendance: 1,923
      Referee: Dean Richards
      27 October 2013
      15:15
      (BP) Bristol33 – 18Nottingham
      Bristol
      Nottingham
      Memorial Stadium
      Attendance: 5,071
      Referee: Matthew Carley

      Round 6

      1 November 2013
      19:45
      Cornish Pirates16 – 8London Scottish
      Pirates
      Scottish
      The Mennaye
      Attendance: 1,449
      Referee: Dean Richards
      1 November 2013
      19:45
      Ealing Trailfinders6 – 15Moseley
      Ealing
      Moseley
      Trailfinders Sports Ground
      Attendance: 692
      Referee: Simon Harding
      2 November 2013
      14:00
      Rotherham25 – 16Jersey
      Rotherham
      Jersey
      Clifton Lane
      Attendance: 1,287
      Referee: John Meredith
      2 November 2013
      15:00
      (2BP) Plymouth Albion31 – 38Bristol (BP)
      Plymouth
      Bristol
      Brickfields
      Attendance: 2,216
      Referee: David Rose
      3 November 2013
      15:00
      (BP) Leeds Carnegie24 – 31London Welsh
      Leeds
      Welsh
      Headingley
      Attendance: 2,444
      Referee: Steve Lee
      3 November 2013
      15:00
      Nottingham26 – 24Bedford Blues (BP)
      Nottingham
      Bedford
      Meadow Lane
      Attendance: 1,614
      Referee: Darren Gamage

      Round 7

      8 November 2013
      19:45
      Ealing Trailfinders5 – 20Plymouth Albion
      Ealing
      Plymouth
      Trailfinders Sports Ground
      Attendance: 562
      Referee: Greg MacDonald
      9 November 2013
      15:00
      Moseley29 – 15Nottingham
      Moseley
      Nottingham
      Billesley Common
      Attendance: 712
      Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
      10 November 2013
      14:00
      (BP) London Scottish29 – 3Jersey
      Scottish
      Jersey
      Richmond Athletic Ground
      Attendance: 928
      Referee: Thomas Foley
      10 November 2013
      14:30
      London Welsh22 – 7Bristol
      Welsh
      Bristol
      Kassam Stadium
      Attendance: 1,821
      Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
      10 November 2013
      15:00
      Cornish Pirates16 – 13Bedford Blues (BP)
      Pirates
      Bedford
      The Mennaye
      Attendance: 1,609
      Referee: Simon Harding
      10 November 2013
      15:00
      Leeds Carnegie19 – 10Rotherham
      Leees
      Rotherham
      Headingley
      Attendance: 2,345
      Referee: Ross Campbell

      Round 8

      15 November 2013
      19:45
      Bedford Blues13 – 26Moseley
      Bedford
      Moseley
      Goldington Road
      Attendance: 2,545
      Referee: Ross Campbell
      16 November 2013
      12:30
      London Scottish26 – 15Leeds Carnegie
      Scottish
      Leeds
      Richmond Athletic Ground
      Attendance: 797
      Referee: John Meredith
      16 November 2013
      15:00
      Jersey27 – 25Cornish Pirates (BP)
      Jersey
      Pirates
      St Peter
      Attendance: 2,185
      Referee: Matthew Carley
      17 November 2013
      14:30
      (BP) London Welsh28 – 0Ealing Trailfinders
      Welsh
      Ealing
      Kassam Stadium
      Attendance: 1,004
      Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
      17 November 2013
      15:00
      (BP) Bristol36 – 26Rotherham
      Bristol
      Rotherham
      Memorial Stadium
      Attendance: 4,655
      Referee: Tom Foley
      17 November 2013
      15:00
      Nottingham15 – 10Plymouth Albion (BP)
      Nottingham
      Plymouth
      Meadow Lane
      Attendance: 1,261
      Referee: Dean Richards

      Round 9

      22 November 2013
      19:45
      Plymouth Albion16 – 27Bedford Blues
      Plymouth
      Bedford
      Brickfields
      Attendance: 1,548
      Referee: Ian Tempest
      23 November 2013
      14:00
      Rotherham17 – 11Nottingham (BP)
      Rotherham
      Nottingham
      Clifton Lane
      Attendance: 1,390
      Referee: Greg MacDonald
      23 November 2013
      15:00
      Moseley8 – 24London Welsh
      Moseley
      Welsh
      Billesley Common
      Attendance: 1,081
      Referee: Darren Gamage
      24 November 2013
      15:00
      Cornish Pirates21 – 15Bristol (BP)
      Pirates
      Bristol
      The Mennaye
      Attendance: 2,176
      Referee: John Meredith
      24 November 2013
      15:00
      Ealing Trailfinders10 – 36London Scottish (BP)
      Ealing
      Scottish
      Trailfinders Sports Ground
      Attendance: 669
      Referee: Ross Campbell
      24 November 2013
      15:00
      Leeds Carnegie29 – 13Jersey
      Leeds
      Jersey
      Headingley
      Attendance: 2,120
      Referee: Steve Lee

      Round 10

      29 November 2013
      19:45
      Plymouth Albion17 – 28Rotherham
      Plymouth
      Rotherham
      Brickfields
      Attendance: 1,349
      Referee: Tom Foley
      30 November 2013
      14:30
      Jersey18 – 28Ealing Trailfinders (BP)
      Jersey
      Ealing
      St Peter
      Attendance: 1,902
      Referee: Darren Gamage
      30 November 2013
      15:00
      Bedford Blues28 – 26London Welsh (BP)
      Bedford
      Welsh
      Goldington Road
      Attendance: 2,599
      Referee: John Meredith
      30 November 2013
      15:00
      (BP) London Scottish38 – 17Moseley
      Scottish
      Moseley
      Richmond Athletic Ground
      Attendance: 1,128
      Referee: Steve Lee
      1 December 2013
      15:00
      (2BP) Bristol22 – 28Leeds Carnegie (BP)
      Bristol
      Leeds
      Memorial Stadium
      Attendance: 5,029
      Referee: Greg MacDonald
      1 December 2013
      15:00
      Nottingham27 – 27Cornish Pirates
      Nottingham
      Pirates
      Meadow Lane
      Attendance: 1,229
      Referee: Ross Cambell

      Round 11

      21 December 2013
      14:30
      London Welsh5 – 13London Scottish
      Welsh
      Scottish
      Kassam Stadium
      Attendance: 1,359
      Referee: Ian Tempest
      21 December 2013
      15:00
      Ealing Trailfinders7 – 21Bristol
      Ealing
      Bristol
      Trailfinders Sports Ground
      Attendance: 724
      Referee: Simon Harding
      21 December 2013
      15:00
      Moseley10 – 3Jersey (BP)
      Moseley
      Jersey
      Billesley Common
      Attendance: 948
      Referee: Ross Campbell
      26 December 2013
      14:00
      (BP) Rotherham35 – 6Bedford Blues
      Rotherham
      Bedford
      Clifton Lane
      Attendance: 2,217
      Referee: Steve Lee
      26 December 2013
      15:00
      Cornish Pirates10 – 3Plymouth Albion (BP)
      Pirates
      Plymouth
      The Mennaye
      Attendance: 3,050
      Referee: Darren Gamage
      28 December 2013
      15:00
      (BP) Leeds Carnegie30 – 19Nottingham
      Leeds
      Nottingham
      Headingley
      Attendance: 3,168
      Referee: Dean Richards

      Round 12

      28 December 2013
      15:00
      (BP) Bristol29 – 8Moseley
      Bristol
      Moseley
      Memorial Stadium
      Attendance: 6,860
      Referee: Thomas Foley
      1 January 2014
      15:00
      Bedford Blues21 – 13London Scottish
      Bedford
      Scottish
      Goldington Road
      Attendance: 2,555
      Referee: John Meredith
      4 January 2014
      14:00
      (BP) Jersey26 – 33London Welsh
      Jersey
      Welsh
      St Peter
      Attendance: 1,617
      Referee: Greg MacDonald
      4 January 2014
      14:00
      (BP) Rotherham35 – 30Cornish Pirates (BP)
      Rotherham
      Pirates
      Clifton Lane
      Attendance: 1,735
      Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
      4 January 2014
      15:00
      (BP) Plymouth Albion14 – 15Leeds Carnegie
      Plymouth
      Leeds
      Brickfields
      Attendance: 1,835
      Referee: Martin Fox
      5 January 2014
      15:00
      (2 BP) Nottingham27 – 28Ealing Trailfinders
      Nottingham
      Ealing
      Meadow Lane
      Attendance: 1,367
      Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys

      Round 13

      25 January 2014
      15:00
      Bedford Blues14 – 9Nottingham (BP)
      Bedford
      Nottingham
      Goldington Road
      Attendance: 2,189
      Referee: Ross Campbell
      25 January 2014
      15:00
      Jersey22 – 35Rotherham (BP)
      Jersey
      Rotherham
      St Peter
      Attendance: 2,044
      Referee: John Meredith
      25 January 2014
      15:00
      (BP) London Scottish25 – 6Cornish Pirates
      Scottish
      Pirates
      Richmond Athletic Ground
      Attendance: 1,675
      Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
      25 January 2014
      15:00
      (BP) Moseley22 – 12Ealing Trailfinders
      Moseley
      Ealing
      Billesley Common
      Attendance: 700
      Referee: Thomas Foley
      26 January 2014
      14:30
      London Welsh19 – 10Leeds Carnegie
      Welsh
      Leeds
      Kassam Stadium
      Attendance: 1,538
      Referee: Martin Fox
      26 January 2014
      15:00
      BristolP – PPlymouth Albion
      Memorial Stadium
      Referee: Andrew Jackson
      • This match was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.[21][22] It was rescheduled to 23 February.[23]

      Round 14

      31 January 2014
      20:00
      Nottingham15 – 3London Scottish
      Nottingham
      Scottish
      Meadow Lane
      Attendance: 1,197
      Referee: Andrew Small
      1 February 2014
      14:00
      Rotherham16 – 6Moseley
      Rotherham
      Moseley
      Clifton Lane
      Attendance: 1,287
      Referee: Dean Richards
      1 February 2014
      15:00
      (BP) Plymouth Albion36 – 15London Welsh
      Plymouth
      Welsh
      Brickfields
      Attendance: 2,024
      Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
      2 February 2014
      14:00
      Cornish Pirates18 – 18Ealing Trailfinders
      Pirates
      Ealing
      The Mennaye
      Attendance: 1,127
      Referee: Luke Pearce
      2 February 2014
      15:00
      (BP) Bristol54 – 14Jersey
      Bristol
      Jersey
      Memorial Stadium
      Attendance: 4,657
      Referee: Francisco Pastrana (UAR)
      2 February 2014
      15:00
      (BP) Leeds Carnegie50 – 6Bedford Blues
      Leeds
      Bedford
      Headingley
      Attendance: 2,086
      Referee: Tim Wigglesworth

      Round 15

      7 February 2014
      19:30
      MoseleyP – PCornish Pirates
      Billesley Common
      • This match was postponed, as the surface of many parts of the pitch is under water.[24] It has been rescheduled to 21 February.[25]
      8 February 2014
      14:30
      (BP) London Scottish38 – 27Plymouth Albion (BP)
      Scottish
      Plymouth
      Richmond Athletic Ground
      Attendance: 819
      Referee: David Procter
      8 February 2014
      15:00
      Bedford Blues19 – 32Bristol (BP)
      Bedford
      Bristol
      Goldington Road
      Attendance: 2,009
      Referee: Darren Gamage
      8 February 2014
      15:00
      Ealing Trailfinders11 – 46Leeds Carnegie (BP)
      Ealing
      Leeds
      Trailfinders Sports Ground
      Attendance: 631
      Referee: Greg MacDonald
      8 February 2014
      15:00
      Jersey17 – 13Nottingham (BP)
      Jersey
      Nottingham
      St Peter
      Attendance: 1,592
      Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
      9 February 2014
      14:30
      (BP) London Welsh47 – 16Rotherham
      Welsh
      Rotherham
      Kassam Stadium
      Attendance: 1,061
      Referee: Steve Lee

      Round 16

      14 February 2014
      19:45
      Ealing TrailfindersP – PBedford Blues
      Trailfinders Sports Ground
      • This match was postponed as the pitch was deemed unplayable. It has been rescheduled to 22 February.[26]
      15 February 2014
      14:00
      Rotherham15 – 12London Scottish (BP)
      Rotherham
      Scottish
      Clifton Lane
      Attendance: 1,342
      Referee: Greg MacDonald
      15 February 2014
      15:00
      Plymouth AlbionP – PJersey
      Brickfields
      • This match was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.[27]
      16 February 2014
      15:00
      Cornish PiratesP – PLondon Welsh
      The Mennaye
      • This match was postponed after a pitch inspection at The Mennaye.[28] It has been rescheduled to 16 March.[29]
      16 February 2014
      15:00
      (BP) Leeds Carnegie62 – 5Moseley
      Leeds
      Headingley
      Attendance: 3,902
      Referee: Andrew Jackson
      16 February 2014
      15:00
      (BP) Nottingham24 – 25Bristol
      Nottingham
      Bristol
      Meadow Lane
      Attendance: 1,305
      Referee: John Meredith

      Postponed matches

      21 February 2014
      19:30
      Moseley28 – 20Cornish Pirates
      Pirates
      Billesley Common
      Attendance: 626
      Referee: Ross Campbell
      • This match – originally scheduled to be played in Round 15 on 7 February 2014 – was postponed as many parts of the pitch was under water.[24]

      22 February 2014
      14:00
      Ealing TrailfindersP – PBedford Blues
      Trailfinders Sports Ground
      • This match – originally scheduled to be played in Round 16 on 14 February 2014 – was postponed as the pitch was deemed unplayable.[30] The match was again postponed due to an unplayable pitch.[26] It will now be played on 15 March.[31]

      23 February 2014
      15:00
      (BP) Bristol43 – 12Plymouth Albion
      Bristol
      Plymouth
      Memorial Stadium
      Attendance: 4,408
      Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
      • This match – originally scheduled to be played in Round 13 on 26 January 2014 – was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.[21][22]

      Round 17

      28 February 2014
      19:45
      Plymouth Albion22 – 12Nottingham
      Plymouth
      Nottingham
      Brickfields
      Attendance: 1,436
      Referee: Steve Lee
      1 March 2014
      15:00
      Ealing Trailfinders6 – 39London Welsh (BP)
      Ealing
      Welsh
      Trailfinders Sports Ground
      Attendance: 1,571
      Referee: Andrew Jackson
      1 March 2014
      15:00
      Moseley24 – 13Bedford Blues
      Moseley
      Bedford
      Billesley Common
      Attendance: 1,090
      Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
      1 March 2014
      15:00
      Rotherham26 – 34Bristol (BP)
      Rotherham
      Bristol
      Clifton Lane
      Attendance: 2,349
      Referee: Ian Tempest
      2 March 2014
      15:00
      Cornish Pirates19 – 15Jersey (BP)
      Pirates
      Jersey
      The Mennaye
      Attendance: 1,183
      Referee: Greg MacDonald
      2 March 2014
      15:00
      Leeds Carnegie27 – 18London Scottish
      Leeds
      Scottish
      Headingley
      Attendance: 1,960
      Referee: Darren Gamage

      Round 18

      8 March 2014
      15:00
      Bedford Blues18 – 33Plymouth Albion
      Bedford
      Plymouth
      Goldington Road
      Attendance: 2,199
      Referee: Greg MacDonald
      8 March 2014
      15:00
      (BP) Jersey13 – 18Leeds Carnegie
      Jersey
      Leeds
      St Peter
      Attendance: 2,012
      Referee: Martin Fox
      9 March 2014
      12:00
      (BP) London Welsh42 – 18Moseley
      Welsh
      Old Deer Park
      Attendance: 2,006
      Referee: Dean Richards
      9 March 2014
      12:30
      (BP) London Scottish42 – 13Ealing Trailfinders
      Scottish
      Ealing
      Richmond Athletic Ground
      Attendance: 856
      Referee: Thomas Foley
      9 March 2014
      13:00
      (BP) Bristol46 – 33Cornish Pirates (BP)
      Bristol
      Pirates
      Memorial Stadium
      Attendance: 5,035
      Referee: John Meredith
      9 March 2014
      13:00
      Nottingham7 – 51Rotherham
      Nottingham
      Rotherham
      Meadow Lane
      Attendance: 1,329
      Referee: Darren Gamage

      Postponed matches (2)

      15 March 2014
      15:00
      Ealing Trailfinders23 – 39Bedford Blues (BP)
      Ealing
      Bedford
      Trailfinders Sports Ground
      Attendance: 528
      Referee: John Meredith
      • This match – originally scheduled to be played in Round 16 on 14 February 2014 – was postponed as the pitch was deemed unplayable.[30] The pitch was again found to be unplayable on the new date of 22 February, and the match was postponed for the second time.[26]

      15 March 2014
      15:00
      (BP) Plymouth Albion23 – 30Jersey
      Plymouth
      Jersey
      Brickfields
      Attendance: 1,036
      Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
      • This match – originally scheduled to be played in Round 16 on 15 February 2014 – was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.[27]

      16 March 2014
      15:00
      Cornish Pirates5 – 20London Welsh
      Pirates
      Welsh
      The Mennaye
      Attendance: 1,387
      Referee: Martin Fox
      • This match – originally scheduled to be played in Round 16 on 16 February 2014 – was postponed after a pitch inspection at The Mennaye.[28]

      Round 19

      21 March 2014
      19:45
      Ealing Trailfinders25 – 23Jersey (BP)
      Ealing
      Jersey
      Trailfinders Sports Ground
      Attendance: 843
      Referee: Matthew Carley
      22 March 2014
      15:00
      (BP) Moseley20 – 23London Scottish
      Moseley
      Scottish
      Billesley Common
      Attendance: 902
      Referee: Andrew Jackson
      22 March 2014
      15:00
      (BP) Rotherham45 – 10Plymouth Albion
      Rotherham
      Plymouth
      Clifton Lane
      Attendance: 1,386
      Referee: Martin Fox
      23 March 2014
      14:30
      (BP) London Welsh29 – 11Bedford Blues
      Welsh
      Bedford
      Kassam Stadium
      Attendance: 1,353
      Referee: Darren Gamage
      23 March 2014
      15:00
      Cornish Pirates17 – 11Nottingham (BP)
      Pirates
      Nottingham
      The Mennaye
      Attendance: 1,235
      Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
      23 March 2014
      15:00
      (BP) Leeds Carnegie27 – 33Bristol (BP)
      Leeds
      Bristol
      Headingley
      Attendance: 3,297
      Referee: Thomas Foley

      Round 20

      29 March 2014
      15:00
      Jersey8 – 39Moseley (BP)
      Jersey
      Moseley
      St Peter
      Attendance: 2,664
      Referee: Steve Lee
      29 March 2014
      15:00
      (BP) Plymouth Albion20 – 26Cornish Pirates
      Plymouth
      Pirates
      Brickfields
      Attendance: 2,598
      Referee: Darren Gamage
      29 March 2014
      17:00
      Bedford Blues12 – 33Rotherham
      Bedford
      Rotherham
      Goldington Road
      Attendance: 1,844
      Referee: Thomas Foley
      30 March 2014
      14:00
      London Scottish21 – 32London Welsh
      Scottish
      Welsh
      Richmond Athletic Ground
      Attendance: 1,807
      Referee: John Meredith
      • This result means that London Welsh will finish in the top four and therefore are into the playoffs.
      30 March 2014
      15:00
      (BP) Bristol82 – 28Ealing Trailfinders (BP)
      Bristol
      Ealing
      Memorial Stadium
      Attendance: 4,852
      Referee: David Procter
      • This result means that Bristol will finish in the top four and therefore are into the playoffs.
      30 March 2014
      15:00
      (BP) Nottingham20 – 27Leeds Carnegie
      Nottingham
      Leeds
      Meadow Lane
      Attendance: 1,315
      Referee: Martin Fox

      Round 21

      12 April 2014
      14:00
      (BP) London Welsh45 – 7Jersey
      Welsh
      Jersey
      Kassam Stadium
      Attendance: 1,082
      Referee: Greg MacDonald
      12 April 2014
      15:00
      (BP) Ealing Trailfinders37 – 35Nottingham (2BP)
      Ealing
      Nottingham
      Trailfinders Sports Ground
      Attendance: 473
      Referee: Dean Richards
      12 April 2014
      15:00
      Moseley24 – 33Bristol (BP)
      Moseley
      Bristol
      Billesley Common
      Attendance: 1,437
      Referee: Thomas Foley
      13 April 2014
      14:00
      London Scottish19 – 15Bedford Blues (BP)
      Scottish
      Bedford
      Richmond Athletic Ground
      Attendance: 1,057
      Referee: Martin Fox
      13 April 2014
      15:00
      Cornish Pirates20 – 40Rotherham (BP)
      Pirates
      Rotherham
      The Mennaye
      Attendance: 1,372
      Referee: Andrew Jackson
      13 April 2014
      15:00
      (BP) Leeds Carnegie40 – 14Plymouth Albion
      Leeds
      Plymouth
      Headingley
      Attendance: 1,870
      Referee: Ian Tempest

      Round 22

      18 April 2014
      19:45
      (BP) Bristol25 – 21London Welsh (BP)
      Bristol
      Welsh
      Memorial Stadium
      Attendance: 8,061
      Referee: Luke Pearce
      18 April 2014
      20:00
      (BP) Nottingham29 – 24Moseley (2 BPs)
      Nottingham
      Meadow Lane
      Attendance: 1,402
      Referee: Ian Tempest
      19 April 2014
      14:00
      Jersey17 – 25London Scottish
      Jersey
      Scottish
      St Peter
      Attendance: 2,345
      Referee: Darren Gamage
      19 April 2014
      15:00
      (BP) Bedford Blues48 – 36Cornish Pirates (BP)
      Bedford
      Pirates
      Goldington Road
      Attendance: 2,365
      Referee: Thomas Foley
      19 April 2014
      15:00
      (BP) Plymouth Albion21 – 26Ealing Trailfinders (BP)
      Plymouth
      Ealing
      Brickfields
      Attendance: 1,555
      Referee: Steve Lee
      19 April 2014
      15:00
      Rotherham17 – 34Leeds Carnegie
      Rotherham
      Leeds
      Abbeydale Park, Sheffield
      Attendance: 2,477
      Referee: Martin Fox

      Round 23

      25 April 2014
      20:00
      (BP) Leeds Carnegie36 – 3Cornish Pirates
      Leeds
      Pirates
      Headingley
      Attendance: 2,017
      Referee: Greg MacDonald
      26 April 2014
      15:00
      (BP) Bedford Blues31 – 41Jersey (BP)
      Bedford
      Jersey
      Goldington Road
      Attendance: 2,659
      Referee: Andrew Small
      26 April 2014
      15:00
      (2 BPs) Ealing Trailfinders29 – 36Rotherham (BP)
      Ealing
      Rotherham
      Trailfinders Sports Ground
      Attendance: 842
      Referee: Dean Richards
      26 April 2014
      15:00
      (BP) London Scottish31 – 55Bristol Rugby (BP)
      Scottish
      Bristol
      Richmond Athletic Ground
      Attendance: 2,155
      Referee: Ian Tempest
      26 April 2014
      15:00
      (BP) London Welsh64 – 12Nottingham
      Welsh
      Nottingham
      Old Deer Park
      Attendance: 1,236
      Referee: John Meredith
      26 April 2014
      15:00
      Moseley16 – 11Plymouth Albion (BP)
      Plymouth
      Billesley Common
      Attendance: 1,105
      Referee: Andrew Jackson

      Play–offs

      Semi–finals

      The semi–finals followed a 1 v 4, 2 v 3 system - with the games being played over two legs and the higher placed team deciding who played at home in the first leg.[3]

      First leg

      10 May 2014
      14:45
      Bristol Rugby17 – 14Rotherham
      Bristol
      Rotherham
      Memorial Stadium
      Attendance: 5,839
      Referee: Tim Wigglesworth

      11 May 2014
      13:00
      Leeds Carnegie38 – 31London Welsh
      Leeds
      Welsh
      Headingley
      Attendance: 2,844
      Referee: Andrew Small

      Second leg

      17 May 2014
      18:05
      Rotherham11 – 22Bristol Rugby
      Rotherham
      Bristol
      Abbeydale Sports Club (Sheffield RUFC)
      Attendance: 3,267
      Referee: Matthew Carley
      • Bristol won 39 — 25 on aggregate

      18 May 2014
      12:45
      London Welsh29 – 20Leeds Carnegie
      Welsh
      Leeds
      Kassam Stadium
      Attendance: 2,324
      Referee: Greg Garner
      • London Welsh won 60 — 58 on aggregate

      Final

      28 May 2014
      19:45
      London Welsh27 – 8Bristol Rugby
      Welsh
      Bristol
      Kassam Stadium
      Attendance: 5,021
      Referee: Wayne Barnes

      4 June 2014
      19:45
      Bristol Rugby20 – 21London Welsh
      Bristol
      Welsh
      Memorial Stadium
      Attendance: 10,905
      Referee: Luke Pearce

      Total attendances

      • Note attendance statistics include 1st round with each team playing at the neutral venue considered the 'home team' as well as playoff games
      Club Home Matches Total Average Highest Lowest % Capacity
      Bedford Blues1227,1372,2612,7541,55037%
      Bristol1479,2615,66210,9053,75247%
      Cornish Pirates1221,5581,7973,7521,12740%
      Ealing Trailfinders1210,0858401,57147325%
      Jersey1227,1842,2653,7521,59242%
      Leeds Carnegie1330,0282,3103,9021,09813%
      London Scottish1215,2691,2722,15579727%
      London Welsh1424,1211,7235,02199916%
      Moseley1211,3639471,43762629%
      Nottingham1215,8431,3201,6141,0989%
      Plymouth Albion1222,9991,9173,7521,03622%
      Rotherham Titans1322,8721,7593,2671,05066%

      [32][33]

      Top scorers

      Season records

      See also

      References

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      2. "RFU Championship Statistics - Top Try Scorers". Rugby Round Up. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
      3. "Greene King IPA to sponsor RFU Championship" (Press release). Rugby Football Union. 26 June 2013. Archived from the original on 1 July 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
      4. Mick Cleary (16 April 2013). "London Welsh's agony proves that relegation is a must in the Aviva Premiership". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
      5. Ed Mezzetti (31 May 2013). "Most fans want London Welsh to stay in Oxford, says chairman". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
      6. Matt Newsum (29 May 2013). "Newcastle beat Bedford to seal promotion to Premiership". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
      7. "FT Bedford 38 Knights 26 - Doncaster Knights relegated to National One". Doncaster Free Press. 17 April 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
      8. John Wilkinson (29 April 2013). "Ealing Trailfinders 41 Coventry 17". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
      9. "Rugby Football Union to fund travel for Cup games". BBC Sport. 4 November 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
      10. "RaboDirect Pro12 games to be shown on Sky Sports from 2014". Sky Sports. 2 May 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
      11. "Tickets on sale for Greene King IPA Big Rugby Weekend". Rugby Football Union. 10 July 2013. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
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      13. Jonathan Reilly (13 March 2011). "Premiership is no go for now admits chief Irvine". Bedfordshire News. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
      14. "Minimum Standards Criteria audit results" (Press release). Rugby Football Union. 9 May 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-05-12. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
      15. Pilnick, Brent (22 August 2012). "RFU unveils new funding deal for Championship clubs". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
      16. "Rugby - Fixtures & Results". London Welsh RFC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2014. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
      17. "Rugby Union: Damage fears for Abbeydale outfield". thestar.co.uk. 10 April 2014.
      18. "Titans secure Abbeydale for massive semi final against Bristol". rotherhamrugby.co.uk. 30 April 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
      19. "Bristol Rugby deducted one point for breach of regulations". BBC Sport. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
      20. "Championship: Jersey docked two points and fined £5,000". BBC Sport. 12 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
      21. "POSTPONED: Bristol Rugby Vs Plymouth Albion". Bristol. 26 January 2014. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
      22. "Bristol v Plymouth Albion Postponed". Plymouth Albion. 26 January 2014. Archived from the original on January 27, 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
      23. "Bristol Match Rearranged". Plymouth Albion. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
      24. "Moseley POSTPONED". Cornish Pirates. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
      25. "1st XV Team Fixtures for 2013 - 2014". Moseley Rugby Football Club. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
      26. "ETRFC v Bedford Blues – Rescheduled for Saturday 22 Feb". Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club. 14 February 2014. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
      27. "Plymouth Albion v Jersey match Postponed". Plymouth Albion. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
      28. "Welsh Home". Cornish Pirates. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
      29. "Welsh Home : New Match Date". Cornish Pirates. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
      30. "EALING TRAILFINDERS RESCHEDULED". Bedford Blues. 13 February 2014. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
      31. "Bedford visit rescheduled for 15 March". Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club. 4 March 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
      32. "Championship 13/14 Home attendance". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2014.
      33. "Championship Playoffs 13/14 Home attendance". Rugby Statbunker. 4 June 2014.
      34. "Championship 13/14 Most tries in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2014.
      35. "Championship Playoffs 13/14 Most tries in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 4 June 2014.
      36. "Championship 13/14 Most conversions in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2014.
      37. "Championship Playoffs 13/14 Most conversions in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 4 June 2014.
      38. "Championship 13/14 Most penalties in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2014.
      39. "Championship Playoffs 13/14 Most penalties in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 4 June 2014.
      40. "Championship 13/14 Most drop goals in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2014.
      41. "Championship Playoffs 13/14 Most drop goals in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 4 June 2014.
      42. "Championship 13/14 Most points in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2014.
      43. "Championship Playoffs 13/14 Most points in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 4 June 2014.
      44. "Championship 13/14 Most tries in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2014.
      45. "Championship Playoffs 13/14 Most tries in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 4 June 2014.
      46. "Championship 13/14 Most conversions in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2014.
      47. "Championship Playoffs 13/14 Most conversions in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 4 June 2014.
      48. "Championship 13/14 Most penalties in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2014.
      49. "Championship Playoffs 13/14 Most penalties in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 4 June 2014.
      50. "Championship 13/14 Most drop goals in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2014.
      51. "Championship Playoffs 13/14 Most drop goals in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 4 June 2014.
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