2024–25 RFU Championship
| 2024–25 RFU Championship | |
|---|---|
| Countries |  England |
| Date | 20 September 2024 – May 2025 |
| Matches played | 71 |
| Attendance | 107,254 (average 1,511 per match) |
| Highest attendance | 5,000 – Bedford v Cambridge, 28 December 2024 |
| Lowest attendance | 324 – Caldy v Cornish Pirates, 7 December 2024 |
| Tries scored | 535 (average 7.5 per match) |
| Top point scorer | 99 – Harry Bazalgette (Hartpury) |
| Top try scorer | 12 – Kehinde Olowofela (Doncaster) |
The 2024–25 RFU Championship is the sixteenth season of the RFU Championship, the professional second tier of rugby union in England. It features twelve English teams. Ealing Trailfinders are the reigning champions, having been refused promotion to the Premiership due to failing to meet minimum standards.
Structure
[edit]The twelve teams will play each of the other teams twice.
The results of the matches contribute points to the league as follows:
- 4 points are awarded for a win
- 2 points are awarded for a draw
- 0 points are awarded for a loss, however
- 1 losing (bonus) point is awarded to a team that loses a match by 7 points or fewer
- 1 additional (bonus) point is awarded to a team scoring 4 tries or more in a match.
Promotion and relegation
[edit]Subject to meeting the minimum standards criteria the team finishing top of the league will qualify for a promotion playoff against the bottom side in Premiership Rugby while the team that finishes bottom will be relegated to National League 1.
Teams
[edit]
Locations of the 2024–25 RFU Championship teams
Eleven of the twelve teams played in last season's competition. Chinnor were promoted as the champions of the 2023–24 National League 1 with no side being relegated the opposite way due to Jersey Reds going into liquidation in September 2023 and there only being eleven sides.[1][2]
| Club | Stadium | Capacity | Area | Previous season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ampthill | Dillingham Park | 3,000 | Ampthill, Bedfordshire | 7th |
| Bedford Blues | Goldington Road | 5,000 (1,700 seats) | Bedford, Bedfordshire | 4th |
| Caldy | Paton Field | 4,000 | Thurstaston, Wirral, Merseyside | 10th |
| Cambridge | Grantchester Road | 2,200 (200 seats) | Cambridge, Cambridgeshire | 11th |
| Chinnor | Kingsey Road | 2,500 | Thame, Oxfordshire | Promoted from National League 1 (champions) |
| Cornish Pirates | Mennaye Field | 4,000 (2,200 seats) | Penzance, Cornwall | Runners up |
| Coventry | Butts Park Arena | 5,200 (3,000 seats) | Coventry, West Midlands | 3rd |
| Doncaster Knights | Castle Park | 5,183[3] (1,926 seats) | Doncaster, South Yorkshire | 6th |
| Ealing Trailfinders | Trailfinders Sports Ground | 5,000 (2,115 seats) | West Ealing, London | Champions (not promoted) |
| Hartpury University | Hartpury Stadium[4] | 2,000 | Hartpury, Gloucestershire | 5th |
| London Scottish | Athletic Ground | 4,500 (1,000 seats) | Richmond, London | 9th |
| Nottingham | Lady Bay Sports Ground | 3,700[a] | Nottingham, Nottinghamshire | 8th |
Table
[edit]| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TB | LB | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ealing Trailfinders | 11 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 548 | 213 | +335 | 10 | 1 | 51 | Promotion place |
| 2 | Bedford Blues | 12 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 332 | 265 | +67 | 7 | 0 | 43 | |
| 3 | Coventry | 12 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 324 | 280 | +44 | 6 | 1 | 39 | |
| 4 | Nottingham | 12 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 340 | 235 | +105 | 6 | 3 | 37 | |
| 5 | Hartpury University | 10 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 294 | 245 | +49 | 6 | 2 | 32 | |
| 6 | Cornish Pirates | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 254 | 225 | +29 | 4 | 3 | 31 | |
| 7 | Doncaster Knights | 12 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 293 | 285 | +8 | 4 | 3 | 27 | |
| 8 | London Scottish | 11 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 250 | 303 | −53 | 4 | 3 | 23 | |
| 9 | Chinnor | 11 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 236 | 240 | −4 | 3 | 3 | 22 | |
| 10 | Ampthill | 10 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 193 | 355 | −162 | 3 | 2 | 17 | |
| 11 | Cambridge | 11 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 188 | 474 | −286 | 3 | 0 | 15 | |
| 12 | Caldy | 11 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 191 | 323 | −132 | 3 | 2 | 13 | Relegation place |
Updated to match(es) played on 24 January 2025. Source: Source: RFU Championship [5]
Rules for classification: If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
Rules for classification: If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
- Number of matches won
- Difference between points for and against
- Total number of points for
- Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
- Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
Fixtures & results
[edit]Round 1
[edit]| 20 September 2024 19:45 |
| London Scottish | 19 – 45 | Coventry (1 BP) |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: 852 Referee: Hamish Grant |
| 20 September 2024 19:45 |
| (1 BP) Nottingham | 18 – 24 | Cornish Pirates (1 BP) |
| Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 935 Referee: Jack Makepeace |
| 21 September 2024 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Doncaster Knights | 45 – 31 | Ampthill (1 BP) |
| Castle Park Attendance: 1,110 Referee: Mike Hudson |
| 21 September 2024 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Bedford Blues | 45 – 19 | Caldy |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 2,012 Referee: Harry Walbaum |
| 21 September 2024 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Cambridge | 24 – 57 | Chinnor (1 BP) |
| Grantchester Road Attendance: 1,497 Referee: Richard Gordon |
| 21 September 2024 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 55 – 21 | Hartpury University |
| Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 850 Referee: Alex Thomas |
Round 2
[edit]| 27 September 2024 20:30 |
| (1 BP) Cornish Pirates | 24 – 29 | Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP) |
| Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,540 Referee: George Selwood |
| 28 September 2024 14:30 |
| Doncaster Knights | 14 – 30 | Nottingham (1 BP) |
| Castle Park Attendance: 1,131 Referee: Andrew Wigley |
| 28 September 2024 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Hartpury University | 34 – 33 | London Scottish (2 BP) |
| 4ED Hartpury Stadium, with Vodafone Attendance: 1,034 Referee: Richard Gordon |
| 28 September 2024 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Ampthill | 31 – 29 | Chinnor (2 BP) |
| Dillingham Park Attendance: 902 Referee: Harry Walbaum |
| 28 September 2024 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Coventry | 45 – 7 | Bedford Blues |
| Butts Park Arena Attendance: 3,035 Referee: Hamish Smales |
| 28 September 2024 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Caldy | 21 – 26 | Cambridge |
| Paton Field Attendance: 1,167 Referee: Joe James |
Round 3
[edit]| 4 October 2024 19:45 |
| (1 BP) London Scottish | 26 – 15 | Cornish Pirates |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: 991 Referee: Harry Walbaum |
| 4 October 2024 19:45 |
| (1 BP) Nottingham | 38 – 14 | Ampthill |
| Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 1,013 Referee: Jonathan Cook |
| 5 October 2024 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Bedford Blues | 35 – 32 | Hartpury University (2 BP) |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 2,265 Referee: Hamish Grant |
| 5 October 2024 15:00 |
| Cambridge | 19 – 36 | Coventry (1 BP) |
| Grantchester Road Attendance: 1,534 Referee: Alex Thomas |
| 5 October 2024 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Chinnor | 31 – 17 | Caldy |
| Kingsey Road Attendance: 2,125 Referee: Andrew Jackson |
| 5 October 2024 15:00 |
| (2 BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 35 – 36 | Doncaster Knights (1 BP) |
| Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 1,012 Referee: Tom Foley |
Round 4
[edit]| 11 October 2024 19:45 |
| (1 BP) Hartpury University | 43 – 10 | Cambridge |
| 4ED Hartpury Stadium, with Vodafone Attendance: 910 Referee: Joe James |
| 11 October 2024 19:45 |
| Nottingham | 21 – 36 | Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP) |
| Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 1,017 Referee: Mike Hudson |
| 12 October 2024 14:00 |
| (1 BP) Ampthill | 33 – 19 | Caldy |
| Dillingham Park Attendance: 752 Referee: Richard Gordon |
| 12 October 2024 14:30 |
| (2 BP) Cornish Pirates | 24 – 28 | Bedford Blues (1 BP) |
| Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,639 Referee: Andy Wigley |
| 12 October 2024 14:30 |
| Doncaster Knights | 0 – 12 | London Scottish |
| Castle Park Attendance: 1,058 Referee: Hamish Smales |
| 12 October 2024 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Coventry | 28 – 14 | Chinnor |
| Butts Park Arena Attendance: 3,197 Referee: Joe James |
Round 5
[edit]| 18 October 2024 19:45 |
| London Scottish | 14 – 48 | Nottingham (1 BP) |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: 853 Referee: Sara Cox |
| 19 October 2024 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Bedford Blues | 34 – 18 | Doncaster Knights |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 2,613 Referee: Joe James |
| 19 October 2024 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Caldy | 15 – 17 | Coventry |
| Paton Field Attendance: 1,330 Referee: Ian Tempest |
| 19 October 2024 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Cambridge | 29 – 22 | Cornish Pirates (1 BP) |
| Grantchester Road Attendance: 1,794 Referee: Charles Gayther |
| 19 October 2024 15:00 |
| Chinnor | 19 – 34 | Hartpury University (1 BP) |
| Kingsey Road Attendance: 1,669 Referee: Dan Jones |
| 19 October 2024 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 92 – 0 | Ampthill |
| Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 903 Referee: Alex Thomas |
Round 6
[edit]| 29 November 2024 19:30 |
| Cornish Pirates | 15 – 13 | Chinnor (1 BP) |
| Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,272 Referee: Alexander Thomas |
| 29 November 2024 19:45 |
| (1 BP) Nottingham | 10 – 17 | Bedford Blues |
| Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 1,157 Referee: Jack Makepeace |
| 30 November 2024 13:30 |
| (1 BP) Ampthill | 21 – 27 | Coventry (1 BP) |
| Dillingham Park Attendance: 742 Referee: Charles Gayther |
| 30 November 2024 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Doncaster Knights | 52 – 17 | Cambridge |
| Castle Park Attendance: 1,401 Referee: Jonathan Cook |
| 30 November 2024 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Hartpury University | 40 – 24 | Caldy (1 BP) |
| 4ED Hartpury Stadium, with Vodafone Attendance: 902 Referee: Mike Hudson |
| 30 November 2024 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 63 – 28 | London Scottish (1 BP) |
| Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 1,072 Referee: Ian Tempest |
Round 7
[edit]| 7 December 2024 14:00 |
| Caldy | 3 – 22 | Cornish Pirates |
| Paton Field Attendance: 324 Referee: Jack Makepeace |
| 7 December 2024 14:00 |
| Cambridge | 10 – 43 | Nottingham (1 BP) |
| Grantchester Road Attendance: 847 Referee: Hamish Grant |
| 7 December 2024 15:00 |
| Bedford Blues | 17 – 25 | Ealing Trailfinders |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 1,981 Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys |
| 7 December 2024 15:00 |
| Chinnor | 18 – 13 | Doncaster Knights (1 BP) |
| Kingsey Road Attendance: 782 Referee: Mike Hudson |
- Game abandoned in 68th minute, with Chinnor leading 18–13, due to power cut caused by adverse weather.[12][13] The RFU would later rule the result a victory for Chinnor subject to appeal.[14]
| 7 December 2024 15:00 |
| Coventry | 14 – 13 | Hartpury University (1 BP) |
| Butts Park Arena Attendance: 2,707 Referee: Sara Cox |
| 7 December 2024 15:00 |
| (1 BP) London Scottish | 14 – 15 | Ampthill |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: 569 Referee: Richard Gordon |
Round 8
[edit]| 13 December 2024 19:45 |
| Nottingham | 19 – 14 | Chinnor (1 BP) |
| Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 1,025 Referee: Andrew Jackson |
| 14 December 2024 13:30 |
| Ampthill | A – A | Hartpury University |
| Dillingham Park Referee: Alex Thomas |
- Game abandoned due to injury to referee.[16] Game to be rescheduled for 11 January 2025.
| 14 December 2024 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Cornish Pirates | 46 – 14 | Coventry |
| Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,555 Referee: Harry Walbaum |
| 14 December 2024 14:30 |
| Doncaster Knights | 22 – 0 | Caldy |
| Castle Park Attendance: 1,199 Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys |
| 14 December 2024 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 95 – 7 | Cambridge |
| Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 1,317 Referee: Andy Wigley |
| 15 December 2024 15:00 |
| (1 BP) London Scottish | 20 – 22 | Bedford Blues |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: Not recorded[b] Referee: Jonathan Cook |
Round 9
[edit]| 21 December 2024 14:00 |
| Caldy | 20 – 10 | London Scottish |
| Paton Field Attendance: 1,735 Referee: Andrew Jackson |
| 21 December 2024 14:00 |
| Cambridge | 13 – 7 | Ampthill (1 BP) |
| Grantchester Road Attendance: 1,520 Referee: George Selwood |
| 21 December 2024 14:30 |
| Hartpury University | 21 – 7 | Nottingham |
| 4ED Hartpury Stadium, with Vodafone Attendance: 670 Referee: Jamie Parr |
| 21 December 2024 15:00 |
| Chinnor | 18 – 5 | Bedford Blues |
| Kingsey Road Attendance: 1,848 Referee: Joe James |
| 21 December 2024 15:00 |
| Coventry | 25 – 35 | Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP) |
| Butts Park Arena Attendance: 4,523 Referee: Dan Jones |
| 22 December 2024 14:30 |
| Cornish Pirates | 19 – 14 | Doncaster Knights (1 BP) |
| Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,766 Referee: Richard Gordon |
Round 10
[edit]| 28 December 2024 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Bedford Blues | 50 – 7 | Cambridge |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Jonathan Cook |
| 28 December 2024 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 55 – 26 | Caldy (1 BP) |
| Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 700 Referee: Alexander Thomas |
| 28 December 2024 15:00 |
| London Scottish | 26 – 15 | Chinnor |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: 981 Referee: Jamie Parr |
| 28 December 2024 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Nottingham | 41 – 26 | Coventry (1 BP) |
| Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 1,925 Referee: Dan Jones |
| 29 December 2024 13:30 |
| Ampthill | 17 – 33 | Cornish Pirates (1 BP) |
| Dillingham Park Attendance: 1,222 Referee: Charles Gayther |
| 29 December 2024 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Doncaster Knights | 38 – 22 | Hartpury University |
| Castle Park Attendance: 1,595 Referee: Hamish Grant |
Round 8 (rescheduled game)
[edit]| 11 January 2025 13:30 |
| Ampthill | P – P | Hartpury University |
| Dillingham Park |
- Game originally rescheduled from 14 December 2024 but postponed again due to frozen pitch.[22] Game to be rescheduled for ?.
Round 11
[edit]| 17 January 2024 19:45 |
| Chinnor | 8 – 28 | Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP) |
| Kingsey Road Attendance: 2,146 Referee: George Selwood |
| 18 January 2024 14:00 |
| (1 BP) Caldy | 27 – 22 | Nottingham (1 BP) |
| Paton Field Attendance: 1,850 Referee: Jack Makepeace |
| 18 January 2024 14:00 |
| (1 BP) Cambridge | 26 – 48 | London Scottish (1 BP) |
| Grantchester Road Attendance: 984 Referee: Alexander Thomas |
| 18 January 2024 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Hartpury University | 34 – 10 | Cornish Pirates |
| 4ED Hartpury Stadium, with Vodafone Attendance: 1,000 Referee: Jonathan Cook |
| 18 January 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Bedford Blues | 45 – 24 | Ampthill |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 3,317 Referee: Richard Gordon |
| 18 January 2024 15:00 |
| Coventry | 24 – 23 | Doncaster Knights (1 BP) |
| Butts Park Arena Attendance: 3,033 Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys |
Round 12
[edit]| 24 January 2024 19:45 |
| (1 BP) Bedford Blues | 27 – 23 | Coventry (1 BP) |
| Goldington Road Attendance: 2,625 Referee: Luke Pearce |
| 24 January 2024 19:45 |
| (1 BP) Nottingham | 43 – 18 | Doncaster Knights |
| Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 1,444 Referee: Harry Walbaum |
| 25 January 2024 14:00 |
| (1 BP) Cambridge | 27 – 41 | Caldy (1 BP) |
| Grantchester Road Attendance: 1,187 Referee: Hamish Smales |
| 25 January 2024 14:00 |
| (1 BP) London Scottish | 39 – 14 | Hartpury University |
| Athletic Ground Attendance: 624 Referee: Richard Gordon |
| 25 January 2024 15:00 |
| Chinnor | 19 – 32 | Ampthill (1 BP) |
| Kingsey Road Attendance: 1,255 Referee: Hamish Grant |
| 25 January 2024 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 84 – 29 | Cornish Pirates (1 BP) |
| Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 2,712 Referee: Joe James |
Attendances
[edit]| Club | Home Games |
Total | Average | Highest | Lowest | % Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ampthill | 4 | 3,618 | 905 | 1,222 | 742 | 30% |
| Bedford Blues | 7 | 19,813 | 2,830 | 5,000 | 1,981 | 57% |
| Caldy | 5 | 6,406 | 1,281 | 1,850 | 324 | 32% |
| Cambridge | 7 | 9,363 | 1,338 | 1,794 | 847 | 61% |
| Chinnor | 6 | 9,825 | 1,638 | 2,146 | 782 | 66% |
| Cornish Pirates | 5 | 7,772 | 1,554 | 1,766 | 1,272 | 39% |
| Coventry | 5 | 16,495 | 3,299 | 4,523 | 2,707 | 63% |
| Doncaster Knights | 6 | 7,494 | 1,249 | 1,595 | 1,058 | 24% |
| Ealing Trailfinders | 7 | 8,566 | 1,224 | 2,712 | 700 | 24% |
| Hartpury University | 5 | 4,516 | 903 | 1,034 | 670 | 45% |
| London Scottish | 6[c] | 4,870 | 812 | 991 | 569 | 18% |
| Nottingham | 7 | 8,516 | 1,217 | 1,925 | 935 | 33% |
[6][7][8][9][10][11][15][17][18][20][23][24]
Leading scorers
[edit]Note: Flags to the left of player names indicate national team as has been defined under World Rugby eligibility rules, or primary nationality for players who have not yet earned international senior caps. Players may hold one or more non-WR nationalities.
Most points[edit]
|
Most tries[edit]
|
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Champions! Chinnor celebrate in fine style". The RugbyPaper. No. 813. 14 April 2024. pp. 28–29.
- ^ "Jersey Reds' financial challenges lead to club ceasing trading". Jersey Reds. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "A right mess entirely of the RFU's making". The RugbyPaper. No. 703. 6 March 2022. p. 11.
- ^ "Hartpury Stadium renamed as Vodafone and 4Ed Foundation partnership unveiled". Hartpury University & College. 29 October 2024. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
- ^ "RFU Championship". England Rugby.
- ^ a b c d "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 836. 22 September 2024. pp. 18–19, 38.
- ^ a b c d "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 837. 29 September 2024. pp. 18–19, 38.
- ^ a b c d "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 838. 6 October 2024. pp. 18–19, 40.
- ^ a b c d "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 839. 13 October 2024. pp. 18–19, 38.
- ^ a b c d "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 840. 20 October 2024. pp. 20–21, 38.
- ^ a b c d "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 846. 1 December 2024. pp. 26–27, 36.
- ^ "68' Before the play begins, the power has cut out at Kingsey Road!". X Thame. 7 December 2024.
- ^ "After we are unable to continue. The referee has decided to abandon the game". X. Chinnor Thame RFC. 7 December 2024.
- ^ "RFU statement regarding the outcome of Chinnor v Doncaster Knights". Doncaster Knights. 13 December 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 847. 8 December 2024. pp. 22–23, 38.
- ^ "1st XV v Hartpury – Game Abandoned". Ampthill RUFC. 14 December 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 848. 15 December 2024. pp. 22–23, 38.
- ^ a b c d "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 849. 22 December 2024. pp. 20–21, 36.
- ^ Phil Westren (22 December 2024). "Cornish Pirates 19 Doncaster Knights 14". Cornish Pirates.
- ^ a b c d "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 850. 29 December 2024. pp. 22–23, 32.
- ^ Phil Westren (29 December 2024). "Ampthill 17 Cornish Pirates 33". Cornish Pirates.
- ^ "POSTPONED: 1st XV v Hartpury". Ampthill RUFC. 11 January 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 853. 19 January 2025. pp. 22–23, 38.
- ^ a b c d "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 854. 26 January 2025. pp. 16–17, 38.
- ^ Lady Bay capacity increased from 3,500 to 3,700 for the 2024–25 season.
- ^ There is no record the London Scottish v Bedford Blues attendance anywhere online or in media - neither London Scottish or Bedford Blues posted an attendance figure on their respective website's and The Rugby Paper did not publish the figure in the following weeks edition.
- ^ The London Scottish home attendance v Bedford Blues on 15 December 2024 was unreported.