2017–18 RFU Championship

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2017–18 Green King IPA Championship
Countries England
 Jersey
Date2 September 2017 – 28 April 2018
ChampionsBristol (4th title)
Runners-upEaling Trailfinders
RelegatedRotherham Titans
Matches played132
Attendance251,953
(average 1,909 per match)
Highest attendance13,100
Bristol v Doncaster Knights
13 April 2018
Lowest attendance426
Hartpury College v Nottingham
10 February 2018
Tries scored907
(average 6.9 per match)
Top point scorerIreland Ian Madigan
(Bristol)
232 points
Top try scorerAustralia Luke Morahan
(Bristol)
17 tries

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.

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[edit]

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[edit]

class=notpageimage|
Locations of the 2017–18 RFU Championship 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]

class=notpageimage|
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[a] Leeds, West Yorkshire

Table[edit]

2017–18 RFU Championship table
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Bristol (C) 22 21 0 1 949 417 +532 18 1 103 Promotion place
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 Relegation place
Updated to match(es) played on 28 April 2018. Source: "Greene King IPA Championship". NCA Rugby.
Rules for classification: 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

Fixtures[edit]

Fixtures for the season were announced by the RFU on 9 June 2017.[15]

Round 1[edit]

2 September 2017
14:00
London Scottish30 – 12Yorkshire Carnegie
Report
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 827
Referee: Karl Dickson
2 September 2017
14:30
(BP) Jersey Reds24 – 26Doncaster Knights
Report
St Peter
Attendance: 1,244
Referee: Andrew Jackson
2 September 2017
15:00
(BP) Ealing Trailfinders29 – 28Cornish Pirates (BP)
Report
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 650
Referee: Greg MacDonald
2 September 2017
17:00
Richmond7 – 36Bedford Blues (BP)
Report
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 788
Referee: Christophe Ridley
3 September 2017
14:00
Rotherham Titans10 – 46Nottingham (BP)
Report
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 1,017
Referee: Michael Hudson
3 September 2017
15:00
Bristol26 – 15Hartpury College
Report
Ashton Gate
Attendance: 7,045
Referee: Matthew O'Grady

[16]

Round 2[edit]

8 September 2017
19:45
Nottingham27 – 35Yorkshire Carnegie (BP)
Report[usurped]
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,053
Referee: Matthew O'Grady
9 September 2017
14:30
(BP) Doncaster Knights44 – 0Rotherham Titans
Report
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,389
Referee: Ian Tempest
9 September 2017
14:30
(BP) Hartpury College19 – 20Jersey Reds
Report
College Stadium
Attendance: 755
Referee: John Meredith
9 September 2017
15:00
(BP) Bedford Blues44 – 26London Scottish (BP)
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,175
Referee: Simon Harding
10 September 2017
15:00
(BP) Richmond26 – 33Ealing Trailfinders (BP)
Report
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 604
Referee: Fergus Kirby
11 September 2017
15:00
(2BP) Cornish Pirates29 – 31Bristol (BP)
Report
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 2,236
Referee: Karl Dickson

[17]

Round 3[edit]

15 September 2017
19:45
Jersey Reds19 – 13Cornish Pirates (BP)
Report
St Peter
Attendance: 1,629
Referee: Christopher Ridley
16 September 2017
14:00
Rotherham Titans21 – 32Hartpury College (BP)
Report
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 882
Referee: Jack Makepeace
16 September 2017
15:00
(BP) Ealing Trailfinders45 – 25Bedford Blues
Report
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 735
Referee: Steve Lee
16 September 2017
15:00
(2BP) London Scottish31 – 33Nottingham (BP)
Report
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 800
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe
17 September 2017
14:00
(BP) Bristol50 – 5Richmond
Report
Ashton Gate
Attendance: 6,509
Referee: Hamish Smales
17 September 2017
15:00
Yorkshire Carnegie15 – 9Doncaster Knights (BP)
Report
Headingley Carnegie Stadium
Attendance: 2,160
Referee: Greg MacDonald

[18]

Round 4[edit]

23 September 2017
14:30
(BP) Doncaster Knights32 – 26Nottingham (BP)
Report
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,039
Referee: John Meredith
23 September 2017
14:30
(BP) Hartpury College29 – 29Yorkshire Carnegie
Report
College Stadium
Attendance: 1,026
Referee: Michael Hudson
23 September 2017
14:30
Richmond23 – 14Jersey Reds
Report
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 821
Referee: Matthew Carley
23 September 2017
15:00
(BP) Bedford Blues38 – 61Bristol (BP)
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,607
Referee: Andrew Jackson
24 September 2017
14:30
(BP) Cornish Pirates62 – 47Rotherham Titans (BP)
Report
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,244
Referee: Dean Richards
24 September 2017
15:00
(BP) Ealing Trailfinders72 – 12London Scottish
Report
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,006
Referee: Matthew O'Grady

[19]

Round 5[edit]

29 September 2017
19:45
Nottingham31 – 28Hartpury College (2BP)
Report
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,175
Referee: Hamish Smales
30 September 2017
14:00
Rotherham Titans22 – 39Richmond (BP)
Report
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 768
Referee: Greg MacDonald
30 September 2017
15:00
(BP) Jersey Reds13 – 15Bedford Blues
Report
St Peter
Attendance: 1,441
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
30 September 2017
15:00
London Scottish15 – 27Doncaster Knights (BP)
Report
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 868
Referee: Fergus Kirby
1 October 2017
15:00
(BP) Bristol32 – 23Ealing Trailfinders
Report
Ashton Gate
Attendance: 7,170
Referee: Christophe Ridley
1 October 2017
15:00
(BP) Yorkshire Carnegie28 – 26Cornish Pirates (BP)
Headingley Carnegie Stadium
Attendance: 1,520
Referee: Karl Dickson

[20]

Round 6[edit]

7 October 2017
14:30
(BP) Bristol47 – 26London Scottish (BP)
Report
Ashton Gate
Attendance: 8,429
Referee: Steve Lee
7 October 2017
14:30
(BP) Hartpury College29 – 27Doncaster Knights (BP)
Report
College Stadium
Attendance: 793
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
7 October 2017
15:00
(BP) Bedford Blues34 – 14Rotherham Titans
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,237
Referee: John Meredith
7 October 2017
15:00
(BP) Ealing Trailfinders31 – 8Jersey Reds
Report
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 595
Referee: Dean Richards
7 October 2017
15:00
(BP) Richmond31 – 20Yorkshire Carnegie (BP)
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,020
Referee: Fergus Kirby
8 October 2017
14:30
(2BP) Cornish Pirates31 – 34Nottingham (BP)
Report
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,309
Referee: Michael Hudson

[21]

Round 7[edit]

27 October 2017
19:45
(BP) Nottingham34 – 17Richmond
Report
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,355
Referee: Karl Dickson
28 October 2017
14:00
(BP) Rotherham Titans18 – 23Ealing Trailfinders (BP)
Report
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 714
Referee: Simon Harding
28 October 2017
15:00
Jersey Reds17 – 36Bristol (BP)
Report
St Peter
Attendance: 2,174
Referee: Dean Richards
28 October 2017
15:00
(BP) London Scottish13 – 15Hartpury College
Report
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 956
Referee: Greg McDonald
29 October 2017
15:00
(BP) Doncaster Knights29 – 46Cornish Pirates (BP)
Report
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,897
Referee: Christophe Ridley
29 October 2017
15:00
(BP) Yorkshire Carnegie38 – 36Bedford Blues (2BP)
Headingley Carnegie Stadium
Attendance: 1,788
Referee: Adam Leal

[22]

Round 8[edit]

10 November 2017
19:45
(BP) Bedford Blues30 – 12Nottingham
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,904
Referee: Simon Harding
10 November 2017
19:45
Jersey Reds20 – 15London Scottish (BP)
Report
St Peter
Attendance: 1,408
Referee: John Meredith
10 November 2017
19:45
Richmond26 – 22Doncaster Knights (2BP)
Report
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,054
Referee: Dean Richards
11 November 2017
12:30
(BP) Bristol55 – 10Rotherham Titans
Report
Ashton Gate
Attendance: 8,184
Referee: Adam Leal
11 November 2017
15:00
(BP) Ealing Trailfinders44 – 19Yorkshire Carnegie
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 759
Referee: Andrew Jackson
12 November 2017
14:30
Cornish Pirates25 – 13Hartpury College
Report
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,432
Referee: Matthew O’Grady

[23]

Round 9[edit]

17 November 2017
19:45
(BP) London Scottish32 – 26Cornish Pirates (BP)
Report
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,385
Referee: Fergus Kirby
17 November 2017
20:00
Yorkshire Carnegie14 – 44Bristol (BP)
Headingley Carnegie Stadium
Attendance: 2,478
Referee: Hamish Smales
18 November 2017
14:00
Rotherham Titans14 – 45Jersey Reds (BP)
Report
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 812
Referee: Steve Lee
18 November 2017
14:30
(BP) Doncaster Knights25 – 25Bedford Blues
Report
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,076
Referee: John Meredith
18 November 2017
14:30
(BP) Hartpury College15 – 18Richmond
Report
College Stadium
Attendance: 733
Referee: Michael Harris
19 November 2017
15:00
Nottingham28 – 27Ealing Trailfinders (2BP)
Report
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 919
Referee: Jack Makepeace

[24]

Round 10[edit]

24 November 2017
19:45
(BP) Bedford Blues33 – 7Hartpury College
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,775
Referee: Michael Hudson
25 November 2017
12:30
(BP) Bristol50 – 21Nottingham
Report
Ashton Gate Stadium
Attendance: 6,789
Referee: Simon Harding
25 November 2017
14:00
(BP) Rotherham Titans24 – 27London Scottish
Report
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 634
Referee: Matthew O'Grady
25 November 2017
15:00
(BP) Ealing Trailfinders57 – 14Doncaster Knights
Report
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 574
Referee: Steve Lee
25 November 2017
15:00
Jersey Reds10 – 20Yorkshire Carnegie
Report
St Peter
Attendance: 1,103
Referee: Fergus Kirby
25 November 2017
15:00
Richmond15 – 28Cornish Pirates
Report
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 987
Referee: Dean Richards

[25]

Round 11[edit]

1 December 2017
19:45
Nottingham19 – 19Jersey Reds
Report
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,191
Referee: Andrew Jackson
2 December 2017
14:30
Doncaster Knights18 – 38Bristol (BP)
Report
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,191
Referee: Matthew O'Grady
2 December 2017
14:30
Hartpury College7 – 31Ealing Trailfinders (BP)
Report
College Stadium
Attendance: 472
Referee: Christophe Ridley
3 December 2017
14:30
Cornish Pirates24 – 17Bedford Blues (BP)
Report
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,407
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe
3 December 2017
15:00
(BP) London Scottish24 – 28Richmond
Report
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,849
Referee: Karl Dickson
3 December 2017
15:00
(BP) Yorkshire Carnegie47 – 11Rotherham Titans
Headingley Carnegie Stadium
Attendance: 1,429
Referee: Dean Richards

[26]

Round 12[edit]

22 December 2017
19:45
(BP) Bristol56 – 19Cornish Pirates
Report
Ashton Gate Stadium
Attendance: 11,184
Referee: Matthew O’Grady
22 December 2017
19:45
Jersey Reds18 – 14Hartpury College (BP)
Report
St Peter
Attendance: 1,257
Referee: Dean Richards
23 December 2017
14:00
Rotherham Titans19 – 36Doncaster Knights (BP)
Report
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 1,607
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
23 December 2017
15:00
(BP) Ealing Trailfinders40 – 24Richmond (BP)
Report
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,030[b]
Referee: JP Doyle
23 December 2017
15:00
(BP) London Scottish52 – 52Bedford Blues (BP)
Report
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,280
Referee: Christophe Ridley
23 December 2017
15:00
Yorkshire Carnegie12 – 10Nottingham (BP)
Headingley Carnegie Stadium
Attendance: 2,128
Referee: Steve Lee

[27]

Round 13[edit]

29 December 2017
19:45
(2BP) Doncaster Knights30 – 32Yorkshire Carnegie (BP)
Report
Castle Park
Attendance: 2,002
Referee: Greg MacDonald
29 December 2017
19:45
(BP) Nottingham17 – 21London Scottish
Report
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,225
Referee: Karl Dickson
30 December 2017
14:30
Hartpury College27 – 18Rotherham Titans
Report
College Stadium
Attendance: 826
Referee: John Meredith
30 December 2017
15:00
(BP) Bedford Blues23 – 24Ealing Trailfinders
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 3,401
Referee: Simon Harding
30 December 2017
15:00
(BP) Richmond22 – 57Bristol (BP)
Report
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,425
Referee: Dean Richards
31 December 2017
14:00
(BP) Cornish Pirates15 – 19Jersey Reds
Report
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 2,226
Referee: Jack Makepeace

[28]

Round 14[edit]

27 January 2018
14:00
Rotherham Titans27 – 24Cornish Pirates (BP)
Report
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 687
Referee: Fergus Kirby
27 January 2018
15:00
Jersey Reds10 – 9Richmond (BP)
Report
St Peter
Attendance: 1,184
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
27 January 2018
15:00
London Scottish3 – 25Ealing Trailfinders
Report
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,145
Referee: Matt Carley
28 January 2018
15:00
Bristol18 – 13Bedford Blues (BP)
Report
Ashton Gate Stadium
Attendance: 9,208
Referee: Tom Foley
28 January 2018
15:00
Nottingham6 – 27Doncaster Knights (BP)
Report
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,095
Referee: Dean Richards
28 January 2018
15:00
Yorkshire Carnegie20 – 16Hartpury College (BP)
Headingley Carnegie Stadium
Attendance: 1,562
Referee: Hamish Smales

[29]

Round 15[edit]

9 February 2018
19:45
(2BP) Bedford Blues29 – 33Jersey Reds (BP)
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,431
Referee: Hamish Smales
10 February 2018
14:00
Richmond11 – 3Rotherham Titans (BP)
Report
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 468
Referee: Greg MacDonald
10 February 2018
14:30
Doncaster Knights19 – 17London Scottish (BP)
Report
Castle Park
Attendance: 887
Referee: John Meredith
10 February 2018
14:30
(BP) Hartpury College39 – 20Nottingham
Report
College Stadium
Attendance: 426
Referee: Matthew O'Grady
10 February 2018
19:00
(BP) Ealing Trailfinders27 – 28Bristol (BP)
Report
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,589
Referee: Luke Pearce
11 February 2018
14:30
Cornish PiratesP – PYorkshire Carnegie
Mennaye Field
  • Postponed due to waterlogged pitch caused by heavy rain. Game rescheduled to 25 February 2018.[30]

[31]

Round 16[edit]

16 February 2018
19:45
(BP) Jersey Reds24 – 32Ealing Trailfinders (BP)
Report
St Peter
Attendance: 1,448
Referee: Christophe Ridley
16 February 2018
19:45
Nottingham18 – 17Cornish Pirates (BP)
Report
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,390
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
17 February 2018
14:00
(BP) Rotherham Titans15 – 18Bedford Blues
Report
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 609
Referee: Fergus Kirby
17 February 2018
14:30
(BP) Doncaster Knights48 – 38Hartpury College (BP)
Report
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,220
Referee: Steve Lee
17 February 2018
15:00
London Scottish15 – 55Bristol (BP)
Report
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,863
Referee: Karl Dickson
18 February 2018
15:00
(BP) Yorkshire Carnegie28 – 22Richmond (BP)
Headingley Carnegie Stadium
Attendance: 1,752
Referee: Andrew Jackson

[32]

Round 15 (rescheduled game)[edit]

25 February 2018
14:30
(BP) Cornish Pirates22 – 12Yorkshire Carnegie
Report
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,112
Referee: Simon Harding
  • Game rescheduled from 11 February 2018.

Round 17[edit]

3 March 2018
14:30
Hartpury CollegeP – PLondon Scottish
College Stadium
  • Postponed due to bad weather (snow). Game to be rescheduled for 10 March 2018.
3 March 2018
15:00
(BP) Bedford Blues41 – 22Yorkshire Carnegie
Goldington Road
Attendance: 1,743
Referee: Andrew Jackson
3 March 2018
15:00
Ealing TrailfindersP – PRotherham Titans
Trailfinders Sports Ground
  • Postponed due to bad weather (snow). Game to be rescheduled for 10 March 2018.
3 March 2018
15:00
RichmondP – PNottingham
Athletic Ground
  • Postponed due to bad weather (snow). Game to be rescheduled for 30 March 2018.
4 March 2018
14:00
(2BP) Bristol34 – 38Jersey Reds (BP)
Report
Ashton Gate
Attendance: 8,010
Referee: Ian Tempest
4 March 2018
14:30
Cornish Pirates22 – 19Doncaster Knights (BP)
Report
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,166
Referee: Sara Cox

[33]

Round 17 (rescheduled games)[edit]

10 March 2018
14:30
Hartpury College14 – 11London Scottish (BP)
Report
College Stadium
Attendance: 677
Referee: Jack Makepeace
  • Game rescheduled from 3 March 2018.
10 March 2018
15:00
(BP) Ealing Trailfinders37 – 35Rotherham Titans (2BP)
Report
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 642
Referee: John Meredith
  • Game rescheduled from 3 March 2018.

[34]

Round 18[edit]

16 March 2018
19:45
London Scottish19 – 52Jersey Reds (BP)
Report
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,073
Referee: Maxwell Keys
17 March 2018
14:00
Rotherham Titans3 – 24Bristol
Report
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 617
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
17 March 2018
14:30
(BP) Hartpury College20 – 45Cornish Pirates (BP)
Report
College Stadium
Attendance: 937
Referee: Fergus Kirby
17 March 2018
15:00
Doncaster Knights12 – 22Richmond
Report
Castle Park
Attendance: 985
Referee: Hamish Smales
18 March 2018
15:00
NottinghamP – PBedford 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 CarnegieP – PEaling Trailfinders
Headingley Carnegie Stadium
  • Postponed due to bad weather (snow). Game to be rescheduled for 17 April 2018.[36]

[37]

Round 19[edit]

23 March 2018
19:45
Bristol18 – 13Yorkshire Carnegie (BP)
Report
Ashton Gate Stadium
Attendance: 7,728
Referee: Karl Dickson
24 March 2018
15:00
(BP) Bedford Blues41 – 32Doncaster Knights (BP)
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,316
Referee: Christophe Ridley
24 March 2018
15:00
(BP) Ealing Trailfinders45 – 20Nottingham
Report
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 696
Referee: Simon Harding
24 March 2018
15:00
(BP) Jersey Reds38 – 16Rotherham Titans
Report
St Peter
Attendance: 1,589
Referee: Mike Hudson
  • Rotherham Titans are relegated.[2]
24 March 2018
15:00
(BP) Richmond28 – 22Hartpury College (BP)
Report
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 643
Referee: John Meredith
25 March 2018
15:00
(BP) Cornish Pirates55 – 38London Scottish (BP)
Report
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,445
Referee: Sara Cox

[38]

Round 17 (rescheduled game)[edit]

30 March 2018
17:00
Richmond12 – 20Nottingham
Report
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 668
Referee: Michael Hudson
  • Game rescheduled from 3 March 2018.

[39]

Round 20[edit]

6 April 2018
19:45
Nottingham17 – 60Bristol (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 Knights50 – 19Ealing Trailfinders
Report
Castle Park
Attendance: 957
Referee: Andrew Jackson
7 April 2018
14:30
(BP) Hartpury College21 – 26Bedford Blues (BP)
Report
College Stadium
Attendance: 1,050
Referee: Simon Harding
7 April 2018
15:00
(BP) London Scottish49 – 14Rotherham Titans
Report
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,330
Referee: Sara Cox
8 April 2018
14:30
Cornish Pirates51 – 20Richmond
Report
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,360
Referee: Adam Leal
8 April 2018
15:00
(BP) Yorkshire Carnegie26 – 21Jersey Reds (BP)
Headingley Carnegie Stadium
Attendance: 1,366
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe

[40]

Round 21[edit]

13 April 2018
19:45
(BP) Bristol68 – 10Doncaster Knights
Report
Ashton Gate Stadium
Attendance: 13,100[c]
Referee: Greg MacDonald
14 April 2018
14:00
Rotherham Titans30 – 26Yorkshire Carnegie (2BP)
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 681
Referee: Dean Richards
14 April 2018
15:00
(2BP) Bedford Blues29 – 34Cornish Pirates (BP)
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,575
Referee: Michael Hudson
14 April 2018
15:00
(BP) Ealing Trailfinders54 – 36Hartpury College (BP)
Report
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 679
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
14 April 2018
15:00
(BP) Jersey Reds50 – 29Nottingham (BP)
Report
St Peter
Attendance: 1,851
Referee: Steve Lee
14 April 2018
15:00
(2BP) Richmond28 – 30London Scottish (BP)
Report
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,798
Referee: Andrew Jackson

[42]

Round 18 (rescheduled games)[edit]

17 April 2018
19:45
Yorkshire Carnegie23 – 23Ealing Trailfinders
Headingley Carnegie Stadium
Attendance: 1,274
Referee: Adam Leal
  • Game rescheduled from 18 March 2018.
24 April 2018
15:00
(BP) Nottingham41 – 21Bedford Blues
Report
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 463
Referee: Neil Chivers
  • Game rescheduled from 18 March 2018.

Round 22[edit]

27 April 2018
19:45
(BP) Nottingham38 – 5Rotherham Titans
Report
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,055
Referee: Andrea Piardi
28 April 2018
15:00
(BP) Cornish Pirates39 – 25Ealing Trailfinders (BP)
Report
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,778
Referee: Matthew O'Grady
28 April 2018
15:00
(BP) Hartpury College24 – 61Bristol (BP)
Report
College Stadium
Attendance: 2,400[d]
Referee: Christophe Ridley
28 April 2018
15:00
(BP) Bedford Blues28 – 12Richmond
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,669
Referee: Fergus Kirby
28 April 2018
15:00
(2BP) Doncaster Knights26 – 30Jersey Reds (BP)
Report
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,675
Referee: Hamish Smales
28 April 2018
15:00
Yorkshire Carnegie27 – 19London Scottish
Headingley Carnegie
Attendance: 1,720
Referee: Simon Harding

[44]

Attendances[edit]

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%

[45]

Individual statistics[edit]

  • 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).

Season records[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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]
  4. ^ Hartpury had temporary seating installed, allowing them to expand their capacity above 2,000 for their final league match against Bristol.[43]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Greene King to be title sponsors of RFU Championship". The Rugby Paper. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
  2. ^ a b "Titans officially relegated after defeat". Rotherham Advertiser. 24 March 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Champions! Bristol Rugby win promotion to the Aviva Premiership". Bristol Post. 7 April 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Premiership: RFU Championship promotion play-off scrapped". BBC Sport. 2017-03-03. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
  5. ^ "Championship play-offs to be scrapped with top team promoted automatically". Sky Sports. 3 March 2017. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
  6. ^ "'The RFU Championship has become the wild west of professional rugby'". The Guardian. 2014-03-13. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
  7. ^ "London Welsh: RFU refuses permission for Exiles to stay in Championship". BBC Sport. 2017-01-24. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
  8. ^ Press Association. "London Welsh kicked out of professional rugby by RFU". The Guardian. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
  9. ^ Hello (2017-04-10). "London Irish 82 Rotherham Titans 3: Worst ever defeat as Titans finish bottom". The Star. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ Heal, Chris (2017-03-10). "Hartpury on the edge of history". Talkingrugbyunion.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
  13. ^ Charlie Morgan, Madejski Stadium. "London Irish 55 Yorkshire Carnegie 48: Irish back in the Premiership after action-packed victory". Telegraph. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
  14. ^ "Premiership: Bristol Rugby 21–36 Wasps – Bristol relegated to Championship". BBC Sport. 2017-04-16. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
  15. ^ "Greene King IPA Championship fixtures confirmed for 2017/18". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  16. ^ "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 468. Rugby Paper Ltd. 3 September 2017. pp. 30–31 & 40.
  17. ^ "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 469. Rugby Paper Ltd. 10 September 2017. pp. 28–29 & 38.
  18. ^ "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 470. Rugby Paper Ltd. 17 September 2017. pp. 26–27 & 38.
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  20. ^ "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 472. Rugby Paper Ltd. 1 October 2017. pp. 22–23 & 38.
  21. ^ "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 473. Rugby Paper Ltd. 8 October 2017. pp. 22–23 & 38.
  22. ^ "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 476. Rugby Paper Ltd. 29 October 2017. pp. 26–27 & 38.
  23. ^ "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 478. Rugby Paper Ltd. 12 November 2017. pp. 26–27 & 38.
  24. ^ "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 479. Rugby Paper Ltd. 19 November 2017. pp. 28–29 & 34.
  25. ^ "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 480. Rugby Paper Ltd. 26 November 2017. pp. 26–27 & 38.
  26. ^ "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 481. Rugby Paper Ltd. 3 December 2017. pp. 26–27 & 38.
  27. ^ "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 484. Rugby Paper Ltd. 24 December 2017. pp. 24–25 & 34.
  28. ^ "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 485. Rugby Paper Ltd. 31 December 2017. pp. 22–23 & 26.
  29. ^ "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 489. Rugby Paper Ltd. 28 January 2018. pp. 12–13 & 38.
  30. ^ "Cornish Pirates v Yorkshire Carnegie – Match Postponed". Cornish Pirates. 9 February 2018.
  31. ^ "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 491. Rugby Paper Ltd. 11 February 2018. pp. 28–29 & 40.
  32. ^ "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 492. Rugby Paper Ltd. 18 February 2018. pp. 28–29 & 38.
  33. ^ "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 494. Rugby Paper Ltd. 4 March 2018. pp. 30 & 38.
  34. ^ "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 495. Rugby Paper Ltd. 11 March 2018. pp. 28–29 & 38.
  35. ^ "Bedford game postponed due to poor weather". Nottingham Rugby. 18 March 2018. Archived from the original on 19 March 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  36. ^ "YORKSHIRE CARNEGIE V EALING TRAILFINDERS POSTPONED". Ealing Trailfinders. 18 March 2018.
  37. ^ "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 496. Rugby Paper Ltd. 18 March 2018. pp. 28–29 & 38.
  38. ^ "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 497. Rugby Paper Ltd. 25 March 2018. pp. 28–29 & 38.
  39. ^ "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 498. Rugby Paper Ltd. 1 April 2018. pp. 18 & 32.
  40. ^ "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 499. Rugby Paper Ltd. 8 April 2018. pp. 28–29 & 38.
  41. ^ "Magic Morahan steals the show as Bristol Rugby party their way to promotion". Bristol Post. 13 April 2018.
  42. ^ "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 500. Rugby Paper Ltd. 15 April 2018. pp. 28–30 & 38.
  43. ^ "Hartpury looking forward to the big day". Hartpury RFC. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  44. ^ a b c "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 502. Rugby Paper Ltd. 29 April 2018. pp. 26–27 & 38.
  45. ^ a b "Championship 17/18 Home attendances". Rugby Statbunker. 28 April 2018.
  46. ^ "Championship 17/18 Leading top scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 28 April 2018.
  47. ^ "Championship 17/18 Leading try scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 28 April 2018.
  48. ^ "Championship 17/18 Most tries in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 28 April 2018.
  49. ^ "Championship 17/18 Most conversions in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 28 April 2018.
  50. ^ "Championship 17/18 Most penalties in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 28 April 2018.
  51. ^ "Championship 17/18 Most drop goals in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 28 April 2018.
  52. ^ "Championship 17/18 Most points in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 28 April 2018.
  53. ^ "Championship 17/18 Most tries in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 28 April 2018.
  54. ^ "Championship 17/18 Most conversions in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 28 April 2018.
  55. ^ "Championship 17/18 Most penalties in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 28 April 2018.
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