2017–18 RFU Championship
The 2017–18 RFU Championship, known for sponsorship reasons as the Greene King IPA Championship, was the ninth 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 contested by eleven English clubs and one from Jersey in the Channel Islands. The competition was sponsored by Greene King for a fifth successive season.[1] The twelve teams in the RFU Championship also competed in the British and Irish Cup, along with clubs from Ireland and Wales.
| 2017–18 Green King IPA Championship | |
|---|---|
| Countries |  England Jersey |
| Date | 2 September 2017 – 28 April 2018 |
| Champions | Bristol (4th title) |
| Runners-up | Ealing Trailfinders |
| Relegated | Rotherham Titans |
| Matches played | 132 |
| Attendance | 251,953 (average 1,909 per match) |
| Highest attendance | 13,100 Bristol v Doncaster Knights 13 April 2018 |
| Lowest attendance | 426 Hartpury College v Nottingham 10 February 2018 |
| Tries scored | 907 (average 6.9 per match) |
| Top point scorer |  Ian Madigan(Bristol) 232 points |
| Top try scorer | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Luke Morahan(Bristol) 17 tries |
On 24 March 2018 Rotherham Titans were relegated with 3 games to go, after losing away to Jersey Reds. Despite seeing some improvements in the second half of the season, the Yorkshire club were easily the weakest side in the division, dropping to 2018–19 National League 1, the lowest level the club have played at for 14 seasons.[2]
On 7 April 2018 Bristol were crowned champions with 2 games to go following title rivals Ealing Trailfinders defeat that day to Doncaster Knights. They met the minimum criteria and therefore were promoted into Premiership Rugby.[3] In winning the championship Bristol also became the most decorated tier 2 side in English league history with 4 league titles to-date.
Structure
The Championship's structure has all the teams playing each other on a home and away basis. The play-offs for promotion have been abolished and replaced by the first ranked team being promoted; providing that club's ground fulfills the Rugby Football Union's Minimum Standards Criteria.[4] Under the play-off system some clubs qualified for the play-offs but did not meet the RFU's Minimum Standards Criteria which meant they could not be promoted.[4] The change was made to allow the promoted team additional time to prepare for playing in the English Premiership. As part of an agreement with the RFU, each club will receive £530,000 funding.[5][6]
Teams
In January 2017, London Welsh was expelled from the RFU Championship and then liquidated due to debt.[7][8] As a result, Rotherham Titans, who finished bottom of the league, were not relegated; a decision which former Championship club Plymouth Albion contested.[9][10] Promoted in place of London Welsh were the winners of 2016–17 National League 1, Hartpury College, who have moved from Gloucester 3 North, at the bottom of the English rugby pyramid, to the second tier within thirteen years of their founding.[11][12] London Irish was promoted as champions and play-off winners of the 2016–17 RFU Championship and were replaced by Bristol following their last place in the 2016–17 English Premiership.[13][14]
London
Locations of the 2017–18 RFU Championship teams
Greater London RFU Championship teams
| Club | Stadium | Capacity | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford Blues | Goldington Road | 6,000 | Bedford, Bedfordshire |
| Bristol | Ashton Gate Stadium | 27,000 | Bristol |
| Cornish Pirates | Mennaye Field | 4,000 (2,200 Seats) | Penzance, Cornwall |
| Doncaster Knights | Castle Park | 5,000 | Doncaster, South Yorkshire |
| Ealing Trailfinders | Trailfinders Sports Ground | 3,020 (1,020 seats) | West Ealing, London |
| Hartpury College | College Stadium | 2,000 | Hartpury, Gloucestershire |
| Jersey Reds | Stade Santander International | 4,000 | Saint Peter, Jersey |
| London Scottish | Athletic Ground, Richmond | 4,500 | Richmond, London |
| Nottingham | Lady Bay Sports Ground | 3,000 | Nottingham, Nottinghamshire |
| Richmond | Athletic Ground, Richmond | 4,500 | Richmond, London |
| Rotherham Titans | Clifton Lane | 2,500 | Rotherham, South Yorkshire |
| Yorkshire Carnegie | Headingley Carnegie Stadium | 13,000[lower-alpha 1] | Leeds, West Yorkshire |
Table
| |||||||||||||||||
| Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points | |||||||
| 1 | Bristol (C) | 22 | 21 | 0 | 1 | 949 | 417 | +532 | 18 | 1 | 103 | ||||||
| 2 | Ealing Trailfinders | 22 | 16 | 1 | 5 | 766 | 522 | +244 | 15 | 2 | 83 | ||||||
| 3 | Bedford Blues | 22 | 11 | 2 | 9 | 654 | 576 | +78 | 14 | 6 | 68 | ||||||
| 4 | Cornish Pirates | 22 | 12 | 0 | 10 | 681 | 577 | +104 | 10 | 9 | 67 | ||||||
| 5 | Jersey Reds | 22 | 13 | 1 | 8 | 542 | 480 | +62 | 8 | 3 | 65 | ||||||
| 6 | Yorkshire Carnegie | 22 | 12 | 2 | 8 | 518 | 547 | –29 | 9 | 2 | 63 | ||||||
| 7 | Doncaster Knights | 22 | 9 | 1 | 12 | 582 | 615 | –33 | 13 | 6 | 57 | ||||||
| 8 | Nottingham | 22 | 10 | 1 | 11 | 547 | 619 | −72 | 7 | 3 | 52 | ||||||
| 9 | Richmond | 22 | 9 | 0 | 13 | 444 | 597 | –153 | 6 | 4 | 46 | ||||||
| 10 | Hartpury College | 22 | 6 | 1 | 15 | 480 | 623 | –143 | 9 | 7 | 42 | ||||||
| 11 | London Scottish | 22 | 6 | 1 | 15 | 521 | 707 | –186 | 8 | 6 | 40 | ||||||
| 12 | Rotherham Titans (R) | 22 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 376 | 780 | −404 | 2 | 4 | 14 | ||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| Green background is the promotion place. Pink background is the relegation place. Updated: 28 April 2018 Source: "Greene King IPA Championship". NCA Rugby. | |||||||||||||||||
Fixtures
Fixtures for the season were announced by the RFU on 9 June 2017.[15]
Round 1
| 2 September 2017 14:00 |
| London Scottish | 30 – 12 | Yorkshire Carnegie |
| Report |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: 827 Referee: Karl Dickson |
| 2 September 2017 14:30 |
| (BP) Jersey Reds | 24 – 26 | Doncaster Knights |
| Report |
| St Peter Attendance: 1,244 Referee: Andrew Jackson |
| 2 September 2017 15:00 |
| (BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 29 – 28 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| Report |
| Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 650 Referee: Greg MacDonald |
| 2 September 2017 17:00 |
| Richmond | 7 – 36 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| Report |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: 788 Referee: Christophe Ridley |
| 3 September 2017 14:00 |
| Rotherham Titans | 10 – 46 | Nottingham (BP) |
| Report |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,017 Referee: Michael Hudson |
| 3 September 2017 15:00 |
| Bristol | 26 – 15 | Hartpury College |
| Report |
| Ashton Gate Attendance: 7,045 Referee: Matthew O'Grady |
Round 2
| 8 September 2017 19:45 |
| Nottingham | 27 – 35 | Yorkshire Carnegie (BP) |
| Report[Usurped!] |
| Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 1,053 Referee: Matthew O'Grady |
| 9 September 2017 14:30 |
| (BP) Doncaster Knights | 44 – 0 | Rotherham Titans |
| Report |
| Castle Park Attendance: 1,389 Referee: Ian Tempest |
| 9 September 2017 14:30 |
| (BP) Hartpury College | 19 – 20 | Jersey Reds |
| Report |
| College Stadium Attendance: 755 Referee: John Meredith |
| 9 September 2017 15:00 |
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 44 – 26 | London Scottish (BP) |
| Report |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 2,175 Referee: Simon Harding |
| 10 September 2017 15:00 |
| (BP) Richmond | 26 – 33 | Ealing Trailfinders (BP) |
| Report |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: 604 Referee: Fergus Kirby |
| 11 September 2017 15:00 |
| (2BP) Cornish Pirates | 29 – 31 | Bristol (BP) |
| Report |
| Mennaye Field Attendance: 2,236 Referee: Karl Dickson |
Round 3
| 15 September 2017 19:45 |
| Jersey Reds | 19 – 13 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| Report |
| St Peter Attendance: 1,629 Referee: Christopher Ridley |
| 16 September 2017 14:00 |
| Rotherham Titans | 21 – 32 | Hartpury College (BP) |
| Report |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 882 Referee: Jack Makepeace |
| 16 September 2017 15:00 |
| (BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 45 – 25 | Bedford Blues |
| Report |
| Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 735 Referee: Steve Lee |
| 16 September 2017 15:00 |
| (2BP) London Scottish | 31 – 33 | Nottingham (BP) |
| Report |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: 800 Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe |
| 17 September 2017 14:00 |
| (BP) Bristol | 50 – 5 | Richmond |
| Report |
| Ashton Gate Attendance: 6,509 Referee: Hamish Smales |
| 17 September 2017 15:00 |
| Yorkshire Carnegie | 15 – 9 | Doncaster Knights (BP) |
| Report |
| Headingley Carnegie Stadium Attendance: 2,160 Referee: Greg MacDonald |
Round 4
| 23 September 2017 14:30 |
| (BP) Doncaster Knights | 32 – 26 | Nottingham (BP) |
| Report |
| Castle Park Attendance: 1,039 Referee: John Meredith |
| 23 September 2017 14:30 |
| (BP) Hartpury College | 29 – 29 | Yorkshire Carnegie |
| Report |
| College Stadium Attendance: 1,026 Referee: Michael Hudson |
| 23 September 2017 14:30 |
| Richmond | 23 – 14 | Jersey Reds |
| Report |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: 821 Referee: Matthew Carley |
| 23 September 2017 15:00 |
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 38 – 61 | Bristol (BP) |
| Report |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 2,607 Referee: Andrew Jackson |
| 24 September 2017 14:30 |
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 62 – 47 | Rotherham Titans (BP) |
| Report |
| Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,244 Referee: Dean Richards |
| 24 September 2017 15:00 |
| (BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 72 – 12 | London Scottish |
| Report |
| Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 1,006 Referee: Matthew O'Grady |
Round 5
| 29 September 2017 19:45 |
| Nottingham | 31 – 28 | Hartpury College (2BP) |
| Report |
| Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 1,175 Referee: Hamish Smales |
| 30 September 2017 14:00 |
| Rotherham Titans | 22 – 39 | Richmond (BP) |
| Report |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 768 Referee: Greg MacDonald |
| 30 September 2017 15:00 |
| (BP) Jersey Reds | 13 – 15 | Bedford Blues |
| Report |
| St Peter Attendance: 1,441 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth |
| 30 September 2017 15:00 |
| London Scottish | 15 – 27 | Doncaster Knights (BP) |
| Report |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: 868 Referee: Fergus Kirby |
| 1 October 2017 15:00 |
| (BP) Bristol | 32 – 23 | Ealing Trailfinders |
| Report |
| Ashton Gate Attendance: 7,170 Referee: Christophe Ridley |
| 1 October 2017 15:00 |
| (BP) Yorkshire Carnegie | 28 – 26 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| Headingley Carnegie Stadium Attendance: 1,520 Referee: Karl Dickson |
Round 6
| 7 October 2017 14:30 |
| (BP) Bristol | 47 – 26 | London Scottish (BP) |
| Report |
| Ashton Gate Attendance: 8,429 Referee: Steve Lee |
| 7 October 2017 14:30 |
| (BP) Hartpury College | 29 – 27 | Doncaster Knights (BP) |
| Report |
| College Stadium Attendance: 793 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth |
| 7 October 2017 15:00 |
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 34 – 14 | Rotherham Titans |
| Report |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 2,237 Referee: John Meredith |
| 7 October 2017 15:00 |
| (BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 31 – 8 | Jersey Reds |
| Report |
| Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 595 Referee: Dean Richards |
| 7 October 2017 15:00 |
| (BP) Richmond | 31 – 20 | Yorkshire Carnegie (BP) |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,020 Referee: Fergus Kirby |
| 8 October 2017 14:30 |
| (2BP) Cornish Pirates | 31 – 34 | Nottingham (BP) |
| Report |
| Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,309 Referee: Michael Hudson |
Round 7
| 27 October 2017 19:45 |
| (BP) Nottingham | 34 – 17 | Richmond |
| Report |
| Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 1,355 Referee: Karl Dickson |
| 28 October 2017 14:00 |
| (BP) Rotherham Titans | 18 – 23 | Ealing Trailfinders (BP) |
| Report |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 714 Referee: Simon Harding |
| 28 October 2017 15:00 |
| Jersey Reds | 17 – 36 | Bristol (BP) |
| Report |
| St Peter Attendance: 2,174 Referee: Dean Richards |
| 28 October 2017 15:00 |
| (BP) London Scottish | 13 – 15 | Hartpury College |
| Report |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: 956 Referee: Greg McDonald |
| 29 October 2017 15:00 |
| (BP) Doncaster Knights | 29 – 46 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| Report |
| Castle Park Attendance: 1,897 Referee: Christophe Ridley |
| 29 October 2017 15:00 |
| (BP) Yorkshire Carnegie | 38 – 36 | Bedford Blues (2BP) |
| Headingley Carnegie Stadium Attendance: 1,788 Referee: Adam Leal |
Round 8
| 10 November 2017 19:45 |
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 30 – 12 | Nottingham |
| Report |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 2,904 Referee: Simon Harding |
| 10 November 2017 19:45 |
| Jersey Reds | 20 – 15 | London Scottish (BP) |
| Report |
| St Peter Attendance: 1,408 Referee: John Meredith |
| 10 November 2017 19:45 |
| Richmond | 26 – 22 | Doncaster Knights (2BP) |
| Report |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,054 Referee: Dean Richards |
| 11 November 2017 12:30 |
| (BP) Bristol | 55 – 10 | Rotherham Titans |
| Report |
| Ashton Gate Attendance: 8,184 Referee: Adam Leal |
| 11 November 2017 15:00 |
| (BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 44 – 19 | Yorkshire Carnegie |
| Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 759 Referee: Andrew Jackson |
| 12 November 2017 14:30 |
| Cornish Pirates | 25 – 13 | Hartpury College |
| Report |
| Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,432 Referee: Matthew O’Grady |
Round 9
| 17 November 2017 19:45 |
| (BP) London Scottish | 32 – 26 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| Report |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,385 Referee: Fergus Kirby |
| 17 November 2017 20:00 |
| Yorkshire Carnegie | 14 – 44 | Bristol (BP) |
| Headingley Carnegie Stadium Attendance: 2,478 Referee: Hamish Smales |
| 18 November 2017 14:00 |
| Rotherham Titans | 14 – 45 | Jersey Reds (BP) |
| Report |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 812 Referee: Steve Lee |
| 18 November 2017 14:30 |
| (BP) Doncaster Knights | 25 – 25 | Bedford Blues |
| Report |
| Castle Park Attendance: 1,076 Referee: John Meredith |
| 18 November 2017 14:30 |
| (BP) Hartpury College | 15 – 18 | Richmond |
| Report |
| College Stadium Attendance: 733 Referee: Michael Harris |
| 19 November 2017 15:00 |
| Nottingham | 28 – 27 | Ealing Trailfinders (2BP) |
| Report |
| Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 919 Referee: Jack Makepeace |
Round 10
| 24 November 2017 19:45 |
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 33 – 7 | Hartpury College |
| Report |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 2,775 Referee: Michael Hudson |
| 25 November 2017 12:30 |
| (BP) Bristol | 50 – 21 | Nottingham |
| Report |
| Ashton Gate Stadium Attendance: 6,789 Referee: Simon Harding |
| 25 November 2017 14:00 |
| (BP) Rotherham Titans | 24 – 27 | London Scottish |
| Report |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 634 Referee: Matthew O'Grady |
| 25 November 2017 15:00 |
| (BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 57 – 14 | Doncaster Knights |
| Report |
| Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 574 Referee: Steve Lee |
| 25 November 2017 15:00 |
| Jersey Reds | 10 – 20 | Yorkshire Carnegie |
| Report |
| St Peter Attendance: 1,103 Referee: Fergus Kirby |
| 25 November 2017 15:00 |
| Richmond | 15 – 28 | Cornish Pirates |
| Report |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: 987 Referee: Dean Richards |
Round 11
| 1 December 2017 19:45 |
| Nottingham | 19 – 19 | Jersey Reds |
| Report |
| Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 1,191 Referee: Andrew Jackson |
| 2 December 2017 14:30 |
| Doncaster Knights | 18 – 38 | Bristol (BP) |
| Report |
| Castle Park Attendance: 1,191 Referee: Matthew O'Grady |
| 2 December 2017 14:30 |
| Hartpury College | 7 – 31 | Ealing Trailfinders (BP) |
| Report |
| College Stadium Attendance: 472 Referee: Christophe Ridley |
| 3 December 2017 14:30 |
| Cornish Pirates | 24 – 17 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| Report |
| Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,407 Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe |
| 3 December 2017 15:00 |
| (BP) London Scottish | 24 – 28 | Richmond |
| Report |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,849 Referee: Karl Dickson |
| 3 December 2017 15:00 |
| (BP) Yorkshire Carnegie | 47 – 11 | Rotherham Titans |
| Headingley Carnegie Stadium Attendance: 1,429 Referee: Dean Richards |
Round 12
| 22 December 2017 19:45 |
| (BP) Bristol | 56 – 19 | Cornish Pirates |
| Report |
| Ashton Gate Stadium Attendance: 11,184 Referee: Matthew O’Grady |
| 22 December 2017 19:45 |
| Jersey Reds | 18 – 14 | Hartpury College (BP) |
| Report |
| St Peter Attendance: 1,257 Referee: Dean Richards |
| 23 December 2017 14:00 |
| Rotherham Titans | 19 – 36 | Doncaster Knights (BP) |
| Report |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,607 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth |
| 23 December 2017 15:00 |
| (BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 40 – 24 | Richmond (BP) |
| Report |
| Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 1,030[lower-alpha 2] Referee: JP Doyle |
| 23 December 2017 15:00 |
| (BP) London Scottish | 52 – 52 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| Report |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,280 Referee: Christophe Ridley |
| 23 December 2017 15:00 |
| Yorkshire Carnegie | 12 – 10 | Nottingham (BP) |
| Headingley Carnegie Stadium Attendance: 2,128 Referee: Steve Lee |
Round 13
| 29 December 2017 19:45 |
| (2BP) Doncaster Knights | 30 – 32 | Yorkshire Carnegie (BP) |
| Report |
| Castle Park Attendance: 2,002 Referee: Greg MacDonald |
| 29 December 2017 19:45 |
| (BP) Nottingham | 17 – 21 | London Scottish |
| Report |
| Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 1,225 Referee: Karl Dickson |
| 30 December 2017 14:30 |
| Hartpury College | 27 – 18 | Rotherham Titans |
| Report |
| College Stadium Attendance: 826 Referee: John Meredith |
| 30 December 2017 15:00 |
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 23 – 24 | Ealing Trailfinders |
| Report |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 3,401 Referee: Simon Harding |
| 30 December 2017 15:00 |
| (BP) Richmond | 22 – 57 | Bristol (BP) |
| Report |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,425 Referee: Dean Richards |
| 31 December 2017 14:00 |
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 15 – 19 | Jersey Reds |
| Report |
| Mennaye Field Attendance: 2,226 Referee: Jack Makepeace |
Round 14
| 27 January 2018 14:00 |
| Rotherham Titans | 27 – 24 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| Report |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 687 Referee: Fergus Kirby |
| 27 January 2018 15:00 |
| Jersey Reds | 10 – 9 | Richmond (BP) |
| Report |
| St Peter Attendance: 1,184 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth |
| 27 January 2018 15:00 |
| London Scottish | 3 – 25 | Ealing Trailfinders |
| Report |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,145 Referee: Matt Carley |
| 28 January 2018 15:00 |
| Bristol | 18 – 13 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| Report |
| Ashton Gate Stadium Attendance: 9,208 Referee: Tom Foley |
| 28 January 2018 15:00 |
| Nottingham | 6 – 27 | Doncaster Knights (BP) |
| Report |
| Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 1,095 Referee: Dean Richards |
| 28 January 2018 15:00 |
| Yorkshire Carnegie | 20 – 16 | Hartpury College (BP) |
| Headingley Carnegie Stadium Attendance: 1,562 Referee: Hamish Smales |
Round 15
| 9 February 2018 19:45 |
| (2BP) Bedford Blues | 29 – 33 | Jersey Reds (BP) |
| Report |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 2,431 Referee: Hamish Smales |
| 10 February 2018 14:00 |
| Richmond | 11 – 3 | Rotherham Titans (BP) |
| Report |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: 468 Referee: Greg MacDonald |
| 10 February 2018 14:30 |
| Doncaster Knights | 19 – 17 | London Scottish (BP) |
| Report |
| Castle Park Attendance: 887 Referee: John Meredith |
| 10 February 2018 14:30 |
| (BP) Hartpury College | 39 – 20 | Nottingham |
| Report |
| College Stadium Attendance: 426 Referee: Matthew O'Grady |
| 10 February 2018 19:00 |
| (BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 27 – 28 | Bristol (BP) |
| Report |
| Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 1,589 Referee: Luke Pearce |
| 11 February 2018 14:30 |
| Cornish Pirates | P – P | Yorkshire Carnegie |
| Mennaye Field |
- Postponed due to waterlogged pitch caused by heavy rain. Game rescheduled to 25 February 2018.[30]
Round 16
| 16 February 2018 19:45 |
| (BP) Jersey Reds | 24 – 32 | Ealing Trailfinders (BP) |
| Report |
| St Peter Attendance: 1,448 Referee: Christophe Ridley |
| 16 February 2018 19:45 |
| Nottingham | 18 – 17 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| Report |
| Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 1,390 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth |
| 17 February 2018 14:00 |
| (BP) Rotherham Titans | 15 – 18 | Bedford Blues |
| Report |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 609 Referee: Fergus Kirby |
| 17 February 2018 14:30 |
| (BP) Doncaster Knights | 48 – 38 | Hartpury College (BP) |
| Report |
| Castle Park Attendance: 1,220 Referee: Steve Lee |
| 17 February 2018 15:00 |
| London Scottish | 15 – 55 | Bristol (BP) |
| Report |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,863 Referee: Karl Dickson |
| 18 February 2018 15:00 |
| (BP) Yorkshire Carnegie | 28 – 22 | Richmond (BP) |
| Headingley Carnegie Stadium Attendance: 1,752 Referee: Andrew Jackson |
Round 15 (rescheduled game)
| 25 February 2018 14:30 |
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 22 – 12 | Yorkshire Carnegie |
| Report |
| Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,112 Referee: Simon Harding |
- Game rescheduled from 11 February 2018.
Round 17
| 3 March 2018 14:30 |
| Hartpury College | P – P | London Scottish |
| College Stadium |
- Postponed due to bad weather (snow). Game to be rescheduled for 10 March 2018.
| 3 March 2018 15:00 |
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 41 – 22 | Yorkshire Carnegie |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 1,743 Referee: Andrew Jackson |
| 3 March 2018 15:00 |
| Ealing Trailfinders | P – P | Rotherham Titans |
| Trailfinders Sports Ground |
- Postponed due to bad weather (snow). Game to be rescheduled for 10 March 2018.
| 3 March 2018 15:00 |
| Richmond | P – P | Nottingham |
| Athletic Ground |
- Postponed due to bad weather (snow). Game to be rescheduled for 30 March 2018.
| 4 March 2018 14:00 |
| (2BP) Bristol | 34 – 38 | Jersey Reds (BP) |
| Report |
| Ashton Gate Attendance: 8,010 Referee: Ian Tempest |
| 4 March 2018 14:30 |
| Cornish Pirates | 22 – 19 | Doncaster Knights (BP) |
| Report |
| Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,166 Referee: Sara Cox |
Round 17 (rescheduled games)
| 10 March 2018 14:30 |
| Hartpury College | 14 – 11 | London Scottish (BP) |
| Report |
| College Stadium Attendance: 677 Referee: Jack Makepeace |
- Game rescheduled from 3 March 2018.
| 10 March 2018 15:00 |
| (BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 37 – 35 | Rotherham Titans (2BP) |
| Report |
| Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 642 Referee: John Meredith |
- Game rescheduled from 3 March 2018.
Round 18
| 16 March 2018 19:45 |
| London Scottish | 19 – 52 | Jersey Reds (BP) |
| Report |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,073 Referee: Maxwell Keys |
| 17 March 2018 14:00 |
| Rotherham Titans | 3 – 24 | Bristol |
| Report |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 617 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth |
| 17 March 2018 14:30 |
| (BP) Hartpury College | 20 – 45 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| Report |
| College Stadium Attendance: 937 Referee: Fergus Kirby |
| 17 March 2018 15:00 |
| Doncaster Knights | 12 – 22 | Richmond |
| Report |
| Castle Park Attendance: 985 Referee: Hamish Smales |
| 18 March 2018 15:00 |
| Nottingham | P – P | Bedford Blues |
| Lady Bay Sports Ground |
- Postponed due to bad weather (snow). Game to be rescheduled for 24 April 2018.[35]
| 18 March 2018 15:00 |
| Yorkshire Carnegie | P – P | Ealing Trailfinders |
| Headingley Carnegie Stadium |
- Postponed due to bad weather (snow). Game to be rescheduled for 17 April 2018.[36]
Round 19
| 23 March 2018 19:45 |
| Bristol | 18 – 13 | Yorkshire Carnegie (BP) |
| Report |
| Ashton Gate Stadium Attendance: 7,728 Referee: Karl Dickson |
| 24 March 2018 15:00 |
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 41 – 32 | Doncaster Knights (BP) |
| Report |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 2,316 Referee: Christophe Ridley |
| 24 March 2018 15:00 |
| (BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 45 – 20 | Nottingham |
| Report |
| Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 696 Referee: Simon Harding |
| 24 March 2018 15:00 |
| (BP) Jersey Reds | 38 – 16 | Rotherham Titans |
| Report |
| St Peter Attendance: 1,589 Referee: Mike Hudson |
- Rotherham Titans are relegated.[2]
| 24 March 2018 15:00 |
| (BP) Richmond | 28 – 22 | Hartpury College (BP) |
| Report |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: 643 Referee: John Meredith |
| 25 March 2018 15:00 |
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 55 – 38 | London Scottish (BP) |
| Report |
| Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,445 Referee: Sara Cox |
Round 17 (rescheduled game)
| 30 March 2018 17:00 |
| Richmond | 12 – 20 | Nottingham |
| Report |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: 668 Referee: Michael Hudson |
- Game rescheduled from 3 March 2018.
Round 20
| 6 April 2018 19:45 |
| Nottingham | 17 – 60 | Bristol (BP) |
| Report |
| Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 1,575 Referee: Jack Makepeace |
- Bristol are champions following Ealing's defeat to Doncaster on the following day.[3]
| 7 April 2018 14:30 |
| (BP) Doncaster Knights | 50 – 19 | Ealing Trailfinders |
| Report |
| Castle Park Attendance: 957 Referee: Andrew Jackson |
| 7 April 2018 14:30 |
| (BP) Hartpury College | 21 – 26 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| Report |
| College Stadium Attendance: 1,050 Referee: Simon Harding |
| 7 April 2018 15:00 |
| (BP) London Scottish | 49 – 14 | Rotherham Titans |
| Report |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,330 Referee: Sara Cox |
| 8 April 2018 14:30 |
| Cornish Pirates | 51 – 20 | Richmond |
| Report |
| Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,360 Referee: Adam Leal |
| 8 April 2018 15:00 |
| (BP) Yorkshire Carnegie | 26 – 21 | Jersey Reds (BP) |
| Headingley Carnegie Stadium Attendance: 1,366 Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe |
Round 21
| 13 April 2018 19:45 |
| (BP) Bristol | 68 – 10 | Doncaster Knights |
| Report |
| Ashton Gate Stadium Attendance: 13,100[lower-alpha 3] Referee: Greg MacDonald |
| 14 April 2018 14:00 |
| Rotherham Titans | 30 – 26 | Yorkshire Carnegie (2BP) |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 681 Referee: Dean Richards |
| 14 April 2018 15:00 |
| (2BP) Bedford Blues | 29 – 34 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| Report |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 2,575 Referee: Michael Hudson |
| 14 April 2018 15:00 |
| (BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 54 – 36 | Hartpury College (BP) |
| Report |
| Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 679 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth |
| 14 April 2018 15:00 |
| (BP) Jersey Reds | 50 – 29 | Nottingham (BP) |
| Report |
| St Peter Attendance: 1,851 Referee: Steve Lee |
| 14 April 2018 15:00 |
| (2BP) Richmond | 28 – 30 | London Scottish (BP) |
| Report |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,798 Referee: Andrew Jackson |
Round 18 (rescheduled games)
| 17 April 2018 19:45 |
| Yorkshire Carnegie | 23 – 23 | Ealing Trailfinders |
| Headingley Carnegie Stadium Attendance: 1,274 Referee: Adam Leal |
- Game rescheduled from 18 March 2018.
| 24 April 2018 15:00 |
| (BP) Nottingham | 41 – 21 | Bedford Blues |
| Report |
| Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 463 Referee: Neil Chivers |
- Game rescheduled from 18 March 2018.
Round 22
| 27 April 2018 19:45 |
| (BP) Nottingham | 38 – 5 | Rotherham Titans |
| Report |
| Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 1,055 Referee: Andrea Piardi |
| 28 April 2018 15:00 |
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 39 – 25 | Ealing Trailfinders (BP) |
| Report |
| Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,778 Referee: Matthew O'Grady |
| 28 April 2018 15:00 |
| (BP) Hartpury College | 24 – 61 | Bristol (BP) |
| Report |
| College Stadium Attendance: 2,400[lower-alpha 4] Referee: Christophe Ridley |
| 28 April 2018 15:00 |
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 28 – 12 | Richmond |
| Report |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 2,669 Referee: Fergus Kirby |
| 28 April 2018 15:00 |
| (2BP) Doncaster Knights | 26 – 30 | Jersey Reds (BP) |
| Report |
| Castle Park Attendance: 1,675 Referee: Hamish Smales |
| 28 April 2018 15:00 |
| Yorkshire Carnegie | 27 – 19 | London Scottish |
| Headingley Carnegie Attendance: 1,720 Referee: Simon Harding |
Attendances
| Club | Home Games |
Total | Average | Highest | Lowest | % Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford Blues | 11 | 27,833 | 2,530 | 3,401 | 1,743 | 42% |
| Bristol | 11 | 93,356 | 8,487 | 13,100 | 6,509 | 31% |
| Cornish Pirates | 11 | 16,715 | 1,520 | 2,236 | 1,112 | 38% |
| Doncaster Knights | 11 | 14,318 | 1,302 | 2,002 | 887 | 26% |
| Ealing Trailfinders | 11 | 8,955 | 814 | 1,589 | 574 | 27% |
| Hartpury College | 11 | 10,095 | 918 | 2,400 | 426 | 44% |
| Jersey Reds | 11 | 16,328 | 1,484 | 2,174 | 1,103 | 37% |
| London Scottish | 11 | 13,376 | 1,216 | 1,863 | 800 | 27% |
| Nottingham | 11 | 12,496 | 1,136 | 1,575 | 463 | 38% |
| Richmond | 11 | 10,276 | 934 | 1,798 | 468 | 21% |
| Rotherham Titans | 11 | 9,028 | 821 | 1,607 | 609 | 33% |
| Yorkshire Carnegie | 11 | 19,177 | 1,743 | 2,478 | 1,274 | 13% |
Individual statistics
- Note that points scorers includes tries as well as conversions, penalties and drop goals. Appearance figures also include coming on as substitutes (unused substitutes not included).
Top points scorers
|
Top try scorers
|
Season records
Team
72 - 12 Ealing Trailfinders at home to London Scottish on 24 September 2017
60 - 17 Bristol away to Nottingham on 6 April 2018
72 - 12 Ealing Trailfinders at home to London Scottish on 24 September 2017
Ealing Trailfinders at home to London Scottish on 24 September 2017
Bristol at home to Doncaster Knights on 13 April 2018
Bristol at home to Yorkshire Carnegie on 23 March 2018
Nottingham at home to Hartpury College on 29 September 2017 Attendances
Bristol at home to Cornish Pirates on 13 April 2018
Hartpury College at home to Nottingham on 10 February 2018
Bristol
Ealing Trailfinders |
Player
|
Notes
- Although Headingley's full capacity is 21,062, it will be 13,000 for most of the season due to the south stand being redeveloped.
- The Rugby Paper reported an attendance of 405 for Ealing Trailfinders v Richmond on 23 December compared to the Ealing Trailfinders website report which had it as 1,030. The official attendance is much more likely, given that it was a local derby at Christmas where attendances tend to be higher than normal.
- Bristol's attendance of 13,100 was a RFU Championship regular season record. Note this does not include the RFU Championship playoff games used in previous seasons or games in the old National Division One prior to the Championship's inception in 2009-10.[41]
- Hartpury had temporary seating installed, allowing them to expand their capacity above 2,000 for their final league match against Bristol.[43]
References
- "Greene King to be title sponsors of RFU Championship". The Rugby Paper. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
- "Titans officially relegated after defeat". Rotherham Advertiser. 24 March 2018.
- "Champions! Bristol Rugby win promotion to the Aviva Premiership". Bristol Post. 7 April 2018.
- "Premiership: RFU Championship promotion play-off scrapped". BBC Sport. 2017-03-03. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
- Last Updated: 03/03/17 5:43pm. "Championship play-offs to be scrapped with top team promoted automatically". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
- "'The RFU Championship has become the wild west of professional rugby'". The Guardian. 2014-03-13. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
- "London Welsh: RFU refuses permission for Exiles to stay in Championship". BBC Sport. 2017-01-24. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
- Press Association. "London Welsh kicked out of professional rugby by RFU". The Guardian. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
- Hello (2017-04-10). "London Irish 82 Rotherham Titans 3: Worst ever defeat as Titans finish bottom". The Star. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
- Metcalf, Rupert (2017-01-24). "RFU makes it clear what London Welsh's demise means for Plymouth Albion and National One". Plymouth Herald. Archived from the original on 2017-02-01. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
- Steven Cotton (2017-03-10). "Eves relishing potential reunion with Bristol Rugby as Hartpury College close in on Championship". Bristol Post. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
- Heal, Chris (2017-03-10). "Hartpury on the edge of history". Talkingrugbyunion.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
- Charlie Morgan, Madejski Stadium. "London Irish 55 Yorkshire Carnegie 48: Irish back in the Premiership after action-packed victory". Telegraph. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
- "Premiership: Bristol Rugby 21–36 Wasps – Bristol relegated to Championship". BBC Sport. 2017-04-16. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
- "Greene King IPA Championship fixtures confirmed for 2017/18". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 468. Rugby Paper Ltd. 3 September 2017. pp. 30–31 & 40.
- "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 469. Rugby Paper Ltd. 10 September 2017. pp. 28–29 & 38.
- "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 470. Rugby Paper Ltd. 17 September 2017. pp. 26–27 & 38.
- "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 471. Rugby Paper Ltd. 24 September 2017. pp. 28–29 & 38.
- "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 472. Rugby Paper Ltd. 1 October 2017. pp. 22–23 & 38.
- "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 473. Rugby Paper Ltd. 8 October 2017. pp. 22–23 & 38.
- "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 476. Rugby Paper Ltd. 29 October 2017. pp. 26–27 & 38.
- "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 478. Rugby Paper Ltd. 12 November 2017. pp. 26–27 & 38.
- "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 479. Rugby Paper Ltd. 19 November 2017. pp. 28–29 & 34.
- "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 480. Rugby Paper Ltd. 26 November 2017. pp. 26–27 & 38.
- "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 481. Rugby Paper Ltd. 3 December 2017. pp. 26–27 & 38.
- "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 484. Rugby Paper Ltd. 24 December 2017. pp. 24–25 & 34.
- "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 485. Rugby Paper Ltd. 31 December 2017. pp. 22–23 & 26.
- "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 489. Rugby Paper Ltd. 28 January 2018. pp. 12–13 & 38.
- "Cornish Pirates v Yorkshire Carnegie – Match Postponed". Cornish Pirates. 9 February 2018.
- "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 491. Rugby Paper Ltd. 11 February 2018. pp. 28–29 & 40.
- "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 492. Rugby Paper Ltd. 18 February 2018. pp. 28–29 & 38.
- "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 494. Rugby Paper Ltd. 4 March 2018. pp. 30 & 38.
- "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 495. Rugby Paper Ltd. 11 March 2018. pp. 28–29 & 38.
- "Bedford game postponed due to poor weather". Nottingham Rugby. 18 March 2018. Archived from the original on 19 March 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
- "YORKSHIRE CARNEGIE V EALING TRAILFINDERS POSTPONED". Ealing Trailfinders. 18 March 2018.
- "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 496. Rugby Paper Ltd. 18 March 2018. pp. 28–29 & 38.
- "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 497. Rugby Paper Ltd. 25 March 2018. pp. 28–29 & 38.
- "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 498. Rugby Paper Ltd. 1 April 2018. pp. 18 & 32.
- "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 499. Rugby Paper Ltd. 8 April 2018. pp. 28–29 & 38.
- "Magic Morahan steals the show as Bristol Rugby party their way to promotion". Bristol Post. 13 April 2018.
- "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 500. Rugby Paper Ltd. 15 April 2018. pp. 28–30 & 38.
- "Hartpury looking forward to the big day". Hartpury RFC. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
- "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 502. Rugby Paper Ltd. 29 April 2018. pp. 26–27 & 38.
- "Championship 17/18 Home attendances". Rugby Statbunker. 28 April 2018.
- "Championship 17/18 Leading top scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 28 April 2018.
- "Championship 17/18 Leading try scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 28 April 2018.
- "Championship 17/18 Most tries in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 28 April 2018.
- "Championship 17/18 Most conversions in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 28 April 2018.
- "Championship 17/18 Most penalties in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 28 April 2018.
- "Championship 17/18 Most drop goals in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 28 April 2018.
- "Championship 17/18 Most points in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 28 April 2018.
- "Championship 17/18 Most tries in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 28 April 2018.
- "Championship 17/18 Most conversions in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 28 April 2018.
- "Championship 17/18 Most penalties in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 28 April 2018.
- "Championship 17/18 Most drop goals in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 28 April 2018.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.