RFU Championship
Encyclopedia
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One
as the second tier in the English rugby union system
in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional
, the RFU Championship is a fully professional
league.
On the November 10th 2008 it was proposed by the Rugby Football Union
that second tier of the English rugby union system
should be fully professional 12-club Championship. The proposal was criticised by the National League One chairman Geoff Irvine, representing the clubs, who described it as "financial suicide". However, six League One clubs subsequently supported the proposal. The proposals required five clubs to be relegated to National Division Two, with only one club being promoted from that division and one club joining the league from the Premiership. On 15 November 2008 the RFU Council voted overwhelmingly in favour of the new proposal, which will begin in 2009. Under the proposal the RFU will pay £2.3 million a year to help fund the change, with future rises due through television rights.
For the 2009–10 season and beyond, the team which wins the Championship league will not be automatically promoted to the Premiership. There will be a play-off competition between the top eight clubs to decide who is promoted. In the event that the winner of the play-off competition does not meet the minimum standards criteria for entry to the Premiership, there will be no promotion or relegation between the Championship and Premiership for that season. There is the possibility that neither team in the play-off final meet the minimum standards criteria, in which case the game would be meaningless in terms of promotion or relegation. The RFU have clarified that they will not consider promoting lower-placed sides, even if they finished top of the league phase of the competition. The play-off format of the Championship has been heavily criticised by the media, players and fans alike.
. Instead, a play-off competition between the top eight clubs was held to determine the promoted club. The first, fourth, fifth and eighth placed clubs entered Playoff Group A; the second, third, sixth and seventh placed clubs entered Playoff Group B. Each side played the other sides in their division home-and-away. The two highest placed sides in each division went through to a single-leg semi-final, and the semi-final winners played a two-legged final. The two legs of the final were played at the two competing clubs' home grounds, rather than at Twickenham
.
In the event that the winner of the play-off competition does not meet the minimum standards criteria for entry to the Premiership, there will be no promotion or relegation between the Championship and Premiership for that season. This did not apply in 2009–10, as the RFU announced before the second leg of the Championship final that both participants, Bristol
and Exeter
, met the criteria for promotion.
There was also a playoff between the four lowest placed clubs in the Championship to determine who was relegated to National League 1
.
As a result, the following changes were made to the promotion and relegation phases:
National League 1
National League 1, , is the third level of domestic rugby union competition in England.This is the lowest level of the English rugby union league system which is nationwide...
as the second tier in the English rugby union system
English rugby union system
England has a comprehensive league structure in place, including national fully professional leagues to amateur regional leagues.The format and competitiveness of the leagues have changed greatly since their beginnings in 1987...
in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional
Semi-professional
A semi-professional athlete is one who is paid to play and thus is not an amateur, but for whom sport is not a full-time occupation, generally because the level of pay is too low to make a reasonable living based solely upon that source, thus making the athlete not a full professional...
, the RFU Championship is a fully professional
Professional
A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to estate agents, surveyors , environmental scientists,...
league.
History
- See also History of the English rugby union systemHistory of the English rugby union systemEngland has a comprehensive league structure in place, including national fully professional leagues to amateur regional leagues.The format and competitiveness of the leagues have changed greatly since their beginnings in 1987. Likewise the leagues started off amateur but professionalism has since...
On the November 10th 2008 it was proposed by the Rugby Football Union
Rugby Football Union
The Rugby Football Union was founded in 1871 as the governing body for the sport of rugby union, and performed as the international governing body prior to the formation of the International Rugby Board in 1886...
that second tier of the English rugby union system
English rugby union system
England has a comprehensive league structure in place, including national fully professional leagues to amateur regional leagues.The format and competitiveness of the leagues have changed greatly since their beginnings in 1987...
should be fully professional 12-club Championship. The proposal was criticised by the National League One chairman Geoff Irvine, representing the clubs, who described it as "financial suicide". However, six League One clubs subsequently supported the proposal. The proposals required five clubs to be relegated to National Division Two, with only one club being promoted from that division and one club joining the league from the Premiership. On 15 November 2008 the RFU Council voted overwhelmingly in favour of the new proposal, which will begin in 2009. Under the proposal the RFU will pay £2.3 million a year to help fund the change, with future rises due through television rights.
For the 2009–10 season and beyond, the team which wins the Championship league will not be automatically promoted to the Premiership. There will be a play-off competition between the top eight clubs to decide who is promoted. In the event that the winner of the play-off competition does not meet the minimum standards criteria for entry to the Premiership, there will be no promotion or relegation between the Championship and Premiership for that season. There is the possibility that neither team in the play-off final meet the minimum standards criteria, in which case the game would be meaningless in terms of promotion or relegation. The RFU have clarified that they will not consider promoting lower-placed sides, even if they finished top of the league phase of the competition. The play-off format of the Championship has been heavily criticised by the media, players and fans alike.
2009–10 season
The 2009/10 Championship season was the first in which the league was fully professional.Format
The winner of the Championship league was not automatically promoted to the PremiershipGuinness Premiership
The English Premiership, also currently known as the Aviva Premiership because of the league's sponsorship by Aviva, is a professional league competition for rugby union football clubs in the top division of the English rugby system. There are twelve clubs in the Premiership...
. Instead, a play-off competition between the top eight clubs was held to determine the promoted club. The first, fourth, fifth and eighth placed clubs entered Playoff Group A; the second, third, sixth and seventh placed clubs entered Playoff Group B. Each side played the other sides in their division home-and-away. The two highest placed sides in each division went through to a single-leg semi-final, and the semi-final winners played a two-legged final. The two legs of the final were played at the two competing clubs' home grounds, rather than at Twickenham
Twickenham Stadium
Twickenham Stadium is a stadium located in Twickenham, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It is the largest rugby union stadium in the United Kingdom and has recently been enlarged to seat 82,000...
.
In the event that the winner of the play-off competition does not meet the minimum standards criteria for entry to the Premiership, there will be no promotion or relegation between the Championship and Premiership for that season. This did not apply in 2009–10, as the RFU announced before the second leg of the Championship final that both participants, Bristol
Bristol Rugby
Bristol Rugby is a rugby union club based in Bristol, England. The club currently plays in the RFU Championship and competes in the British and Irish Cup. They rely in large part on the many junior rugby clubs in the region, particularly those from 'the Combination'...
and Exeter
Exeter Chiefs
Exeter Rugby Club are a rugby union club based in Exeter, Devon.The Exeter club was formed around 1871 and played its first match in 1873. The first team has been rebranded as the Exeter Chiefs and play in a strip of Black , White ....
, met the criteria for promotion.
There was also a playoff between the four lowest placed clubs in the Championship to determine who was relegated to National League 1
National League 1
National League 1, , is the third level of domestic rugby union competition in England.This is the lowest level of the English rugby union league system which is nationwide...
.
Criticism and changes for 2010–11
The formats of both the promotion and relegation play-offs were criticised after the season. In both phases, all teams began equal, regardless of their performance during the home-and-away season. Moseley, who had been in serious relegation danger after a poor start to the play-offs, were particularly angry about the format because they started the relegation phase equal to the other three teams involved—despite having won 10 matches on the season to Birmingham's none. It was also felt that starting all teams equal in the promotion phase gave teams little incentive to win the regular season because there was no reward for a high finish within the top eight.As a result, the following changes were made to the promotion and relegation phases:
- In the promotion phase:
- The top two clubs at the end of the regular season will start the play-off on 3 points.
- The third- and fourth-place clubs will start on 2.
- The fifth- and sixth-place clubs will start on 1.
- The remaining two clubs will start on 0.
- In the relegation phase, clubs will carry over 1 point for each win in the regular season.
League results
| League Information | Start of Season | End of Season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Name | Teams | Relegated to League | Promoted to League | Promoted from League | Relegated from League |
| 1996–97 National Division One 1996-97 The 1996–97 National Division One was the 10th season of the league at the second tier of the English rugby union pyramid.Division 2 of the Courage Clubs Championship, now known as National Division One, is a rugby union club competition in England. Promotion to the then Division 1 was decided in a... |
Courage Championship Division One | 12 | None |
|
Richmond F.C. Richmond Football Club is a rugby union club from Richmond, London. It is a founding member of the Rugby Football Union, and is one of the oldest football clubs... Newcastle Falcons The Newcastle Falcons is an English rugby union team currently playing in the Aviva Premiership. The club was established in 1877 and played under the name of Gosforth Football Club until 1990. The name was then changed to Newcastle Gosforth and the club began to play at Kingston Park stadium in... |
Rugby Lions Rugby Football Club, nicknamed the Lions, is a rugby union club based in Rugby, Warwickshire in England . Rugby currently compete in National League 3 Midlands... Nottingham R.F.C. Nottingham Rugby Football Club are a rugby union club based in Nottingham, England. The club's first team currently play in the Championship, the second tier of English Rugby.... |
| 1997–98 National Division One 1997-98 The 1997–98 National Division One was the 11th season of the league at the second tier of English rugby union. For sponsorship reasons the league was known as the Allied Dunbar Premiership Second Division.-Table:... |
Allied Dunbar Premiership Two | 12 |
Orrell R.U.F.C. Orrell Rugby Union Football Club is a rugby union team from the Orrell area of the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, Greater Manchester.The club were founded in 1927, holding a place in the top-tier of rugby union from 1986 to 1997.-1927–1939:... West Hartlepool R.F.C. West Hartlepool Rugby Football Club is an English rugby union club who play in the National League 3 North league after gaining promotion by winning the 2010 / 2011 North 1 East league.-History:... |
Exeter Chiefs Exeter Rugby Club are a rugby union club based in Exeter, Devon.The Exeter club was formed around 1871 and played its first match in 1873. The first team has been rebranded as the Exeter Chiefs and play in a strip of Black , White .... Fylde Rugby Club Fylde Rugby Union Club is a rugby union club based in Lytham St Annes, on the Fylde coast in Lancashire, England. Its home venue is the Woodlands Memorial Ground on Blackpool Road in Ansdell... |
Bedford Blues Bedford Blues is a rugby union club in the town of Bedford, England, currently playing in The RFU Championship. Bedford is one of the largest towns in England without a league football club, and one of the few towns in England where the rugby club is better supported than the football team. The... West Hartlepool R.F.C. West Hartlepool Rugby Football Club is an English rugby union club who play in the National League 3 North league after gaining promotion by winning the 2010 / 2011 North 1 East league.-History:... London Scottish F.C. London Scottish Football Club is a rugby union club in England. It is a member of both the Rugby Football Union and the Scottish Rugby Union.-History:... |
None |
| 1998–99 National Division One 1998-99 The Dunbar Premiership Second Division was the second-tier rugby union club competition in England from 1997-98 until 1999-2000. This division is now known as National League One.-Table:... |
Allied Dunbar Premiership Two | 14 | Bristol Bristol Rugby Bristol Rugby is a rugby union club based in Bristol, England. The club currently plays in the RFU Championship and competes in the British and Irish Cup. They rely in large part on the many junior rugby clubs in the region, particularly those from 'the Combination'... |
Rugby Lions Rugby Football Club, nicknamed the Lions, is a rugby union club based in Rugby, Warwickshire in England . Rugby currently compete in National League 3 Midlands... |
Bristol Bristol Rugby Bristol Rugby is a rugby union club based in Bristol, England. The club currently plays in the RFU Championship and competes in the British and Irish Cup. They rely in large part on the many junior rugby clubs in the region, particularly those from 'the Combination'... |
Fylde Rugby Club Fylde Rugby Union Club is a rugby union club based in Lytham St Annes, on the Fylde coast in Lancashire, England. Its home venue is the Woodlands Memorial Ground on Blackpool Road in Ansdell... |
| 1999–00 National Division One 1999-2000 The Dunbar Premiership Second Division was the second-tier rugby union club competition in England from 1997-98 until 1999-2000. This division is now known as the RFU Championship. Rotherham, as Champions, won promotion to the Zurich Premiership... |
Allied Dunbar Premership Two | 14 | West Hartlepool West Hartlepool R.F.C. West Hartlepool Rugby Football Club is an English rugby union club who play in the National League 3 North league after gaining promotion by winning the 2010 / 2011 North 1 East league.-History:... |
Henley Hawks Henley Rugby Club is a rugby union club based in Henley-on-Thames, that is the leading rugby club in the Thames Valley... Manchester Rugby Club Manchester Rugby Club, formerly known as Manchester Football Club, are one of the oldest rugby union clubs in existence, having been founded in 1860, 11 years before the RFU.... |
Rotherham Rotherham R.U.F.C. Rotherham Rugby Union Football Club, or Rotherham Titans are a professional rugby union team from Rotherham, Yorkshire, currently playing in the English RFU Championship-History:... |
West Hartlepool R.F.C. West Hartlepool Rugby Football Club is an English rugby union club who play in the National League 3 North league after gaining promotion by winning the 2010 / 2011 North 1 East league.-History:... Rugby Lions Rugby Football Club, nicknamed the Lions, is a rugby union club based in Rugby, Warwickshire in England . Rugby currently compete in National League 3 Midlands... |
| 2000–01 National Division One 2000-01 National Division One is a rugby union club competition in England. The Leeds Tykes won the 2000-01 season competition to gain promotion to the Zurich Premiership. Orrell and Waterloo were relegated to National Division Two for the 2001-02 season.-Table:... |
National Division One | 14 | Bedford Blues Bedford Blues Bedford Blues is a rugby union club in the town of Bedford, England, currently playing in The RFU Championship. Bedford is one of the largest towns in England without a league football club, and one of the few towns in England where the rugby club is better supported than the football team. The... |
Otley R.U.F.C. Otley Rugby Union Football Club is an English rugby union club representing Otley in the City of Leeds district of West Yorkshire. Founded in 1865 it broke away from the RU in 1895... Birmingham & Solihull R.F.C. Birmingham and Solihull Rugby Football Club are a rugby union club representing Birmingham and Solihull. It was formed in 1989 by a merger of the original Birmingham and Solihull rugby clubs, which were both established over 60 years ago.... |
Leeds Tykes Leeds Tykes Leeds Carnegie is an English rugby union club, based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, currently playing in the RFU Championship. In recent years, they have bounced between the Premiership and the second-level National Division One, now known as the RFU Championship; they were either promoted or relegated... |
Orrell R.U.F.C. Orrell Rugby Union Football Club is a rugby union team from the Orrell area of the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, Greater Manchester.The club were founded in 1927, holding a place in the top-tier of rugby union from 1986 to 1997.-1927–1939:... Waterloo R.F.C. Waterloo Football Club is an English Rugby Union team based at St Anthonys Road, Blundellsands, Merseyside. It celebrated its 125th season in 2007/08, having been founded in 1882 by brothers Sidney and Harry Hall and George Abercrombie. From 1882 until 1884 the club was known as Serpentine after... |
| 2001–02 National Division One 2001-02 National Division One is a rugby union club competition in England. The 2001-02 champions Rotherham Titans were refused promotion to the Guinness Premiership for the 2002-03 season due to facilities failing to meet Premiership criteria... |
National Division One | 14 | Rotherham Titans Rotherham R.U.F.C. Rotherham Rugby Union Football Club, or Rotherham Titans are a professional rugby union team from Rotherham, Yorkshire, currently playing in the English RFU Championship-History:... |
Rugby Lions Rugby Football Club, nicknamed the Lions, is a rugby union club based in Rugby, Warwickshire in England . Rugby currently compete in National League 3 Midlands... |
None |
Henley Hawks Henley Rugby Club is a rugby union club based in Henley-on-Thames, that is the leading rugby club in the Thames Valley... |
| 2002–03 National Division One 2002-03 National Division One is a rugby union club competition in England. Rotherham, the champions were promoted to the Zurich Premiership for the 2003-04 season. Moseley and Rugby were relegated to National Division Two for the 2003-04 season.-Table:... |
National Division One | 14 | None |
Plymouth Albion R.F.C. Plymouth Albion Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club who play in Plymouth, England. The club was founded around 1915 from a merger between Plymouth RFC and Devonport Albion RFC... Orrell R.U.F.C. Orrell Rugby Union Football Club is a rugby union team from the Orrell area of the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, Greater Manchester.The club were founded in 1927, holding a place in the top-tier of rugby union from 1986 to 1997.-1927–1939:... |
Rotherham Titans Rotherham R.U.F.C. Rotherham Rugby Union Football Club, or Rotherham Titans are a professional rugby union team from Rotherham, Yorkshire, currently playing in the English RFU Championship-History:... |
Rugby Lions Rugby Football Club, nicknamed the Lions, is a rugby union club based in Rugby, Warwickshire in England . Rugby currently compete in National League 3 Midlands... Moseley Rugby Football Club Moseley Rugby Football Club is an English rugby union club, based at Billesley Common in Birmingham, that competes in the RFU Championship. The club was historically the premier rugby club in Birmingham, reaching the final of the John Player Cup three times in the late 1970s and early 1980s... |
| 2003–04 National Division One 2003-04 The final league table for National Division One for the 2003-04 Season. The final league table for National Division One for the 2003-04 Season. The final league table for National Division One for the 2003-04 Season.... |
National Division One | 14 | Bristol Shoguns |
Henley Hawks Henley Rugby Club is a rugby union club based in Henley-on-Thames, that is the leading rugby club in the Thames Valley... Cornish Pirates The Cornish Pirates are an English professional rugby union team who play in the Championship, the second level of the English rugby union pyramid, and are the premier Cornish rugby club. Formerly known as Penzance & Newlyn Pirates, the Cornish Pirates play their home games and train at their... |
Worcester Warriors | Manchester Manchester Rugby Club Manchester Rugby Club, formerly known as Manchester Football Club, are one of the oldest rugby union clubs in existence, having been founded in 1860, 11 years before the RFU.... |
| 2004–05 National Division One 2004-05 National Division One is a rugby union club competition in England. 2004-05 champions Bristol were promoted to the Guinness Premiership for the 2005-06 season. Orrell and Henley are relegated to National Division Two for the 2005/06 season.-Table:... |
National Division One | 14 | Rotherham Titans Rotherham R.U.F.C. Rotherham Rugby Union Football Club, or Rotherham Titans are a professional rugby union team from Rotherham, Yorkshire, currently playing in the English RFU Championship-History:... |
Nottingham R.F.C. Nottingham Rugby Football Club are a rugby union club based in Nottingham, England. The club's first team currently play in the Championship, the second tier of English Rugby.... Sedgley Park R.U.F.C. Sedgley Park Rugby Union Football Club, the 1st XV team of which play under the name of Sedgley Tigers, are a rugby union club based in Whitefield, in the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, Greater Manchester. They currently play in National Division One, the third tier of the English rugby union league... |
Bristol Bristol Rugby Bristol Rugby is a rugby union club based in Bristol, England. The club currently plays in the RFU Championship and competes in the British and Irish Cup. They rely in large part on the many junior rugby clubs in the region, particularly those from 'the Combination'... |
Orrell R.U.F.C. Orrell Rugby Union Football Club is a rugby union team from the Orrell area of the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, Greater Manchester.The club were founded in 1927, holding a place in the top-tier of rugby union from 1986 to 1997.-1927–1939:... Henley Hawks Henley Rugby Club is a rugby union club based in Henley-on-Thames, that is the leading rugby club in the Thames Valley... |
| 2005–06 National Division One 2005-06 National Division One is a club rugby union competition in England. 2005-06 champions Harlequins were promoted to the Guinness Premiership for the 2006-07 season... |
National Division One | 14 | Harlequins Harlequin F.C. The Harlequin Football Club is an English rugby union team who play in the top level of English rugby, the Aviva Premiership. Their ground in London is Twickenham Stoop... |
Doncaster R.F.C. Doncaster Rugby Football Club are a rugby union club representing the town of Doncaster. The first XV are known as the Doncaster Knights, and play in the RFU Championship... Newbury R.F.C. Newbury Rugby Football Club are a rugby union club representing Newbury. For season 2011/12 they will be playing in National League 3 South West.-Current standings:... |
Harlequins Harlequin F.C. The Harlequin Football Club is an English rugby union team who play in the top level of English rugby, the Aviva Premiership. Their ground in London is Twickenham Stoop... |
None |
| 2006–07 National Division One 2006-07 At the start of the season, Leeds Tykes came down to National Division One after coming last in the Guinness Premiership of 2005-06. For much of the season they looked like they would repeat Harlequins' feat and bounce straight back up to the Premiership. Leeds Tykes did in fact win promotion to... |
National Division One | 16 | Leeds Tykes Leeds Tykes Leeds Carnegie is an English rugby union club, based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, currently playing in the RFU Championship. In recent years, they have bounced between the Premiership and the second-level National Division One, now known as the RFU Championship; they were either promoted or relegated... |
Moseley Rugby Football Club Moseley Rugby Football Club is an English rugby union club, based at Billesley Common in Birmingham, that competes in the RFU Championship. The club was historically the premier rugby club in Birmingham, reaching the final of the John Player Cup three times in the late 1970s and early 1980s... Waterloo R.F.C. Waterloo Football Club is an English Rugby Union team based at St Anthonys Road, Blundellsands, Merseyside. It celebrated its 125th season in 2007/08, having been founded in 1882 by brothers Sidney and Harry Hall and George Abercrombie. From 1882 until 1884 the club was known as Serpentine after... |
Leeds Tykes Leeds Tykes Leeds Carnegie is an English rugby union club, based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, currently playing in the RFU Championship. In recent years, they have bounced between the Premiership and the second-level National Division One, now known as the RFU Championship; they were either promoted or relegated... |
Waterloo R.F.C. Waterloo Football Club is an English Rugby Union team based at St Anthonys Road, Blundellsands, Merseyside. It celebrated its 125th season in 2007/08, having been founded in 1882 by brothers Sidney and Harry Hall and George Abercrombie. From 1882 until 1884 the club was known as Serpentine after... Otley R.U.F.C. Otley Rugby Union Football Club is an English rugby union club representing Otley in the City of Leeds district of West Yorkshire. Founded in 1865 it broke away from the RU in 1895... |
| 2007–08 National Division One 2007-08 Leeds Carnegie joined National Division One, having been relegated from the Guinness Premiership after the 2007-08 season. Otley and Manchester were promoted from National Division Two.... |
National Division One | 16 | Northampton Saints Northampton Saints Northampton Saints are a professional rugby union club from Northampton, England. The Northampton Saints were formed in 1880. They play in green, black and gold colours. They play their home games at Franklin's Gardens, which has a capacity of 13,591.... |
Esher RFC Esher Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in Surrey, England. Esher RFC are currently playing in the second division of the English league system, The Championship. The club was formed in 1923 when four rugby enthusiasts agreed to start a club.... Launceston RUFC Launceston Rugby Club are a Cornish rugby club who play in National League 2 South of the English rugby union leagues.-History:The club was founded in 1948 after an inaugural meeting chaired by the then Headmaster of Launceston College, Mr Spencer Toy with Gordon Reeve, Eric Smith and Arthur... |
Northampton Saints Northampton Saints Northampton Saints are a professional rugby union club from Northampton, England. The Northampton Saints were formed in 1880. They play in green, black and gold colours. They play their home games at Franklin's Gardens, which has a capacity of 13,591.... |
Birmingham & Solihull R.F.C. Birmingham and Solihull Rugby Football Club are a rugby union club representing Birmingham and Solihull. It was formed in 1989 by a merger of the original Birmingham and Solihull rugby clubs, which were both established over 60 years ago.... Launceston RUFC Launceston Rugby Club are a Cornish rugby club who play in National League 2 South of the English rugby union leagues.-History:The club was founded in 1948 after an inaugural meeting chaired by the then Headmaster of Launceston College, Mr Spencer Toy with Gordon Reeve, Eric Smith and Arthur... |
| 2008–09 National Division One 2008-09 Leeds Carnegie joined National Division One, having been relegated from the Guinness Premiership after the 2007-08 season. Otley and Manchester were promoted from National Division Two.-Notes:Points were awarded as follows:* 4 points for a win... |
National Division One | 16 | Leeds Carnegie |
Otley R.U.F.C. Otley Rugby Union Football Club is an English rugby union club representing Otley in the City of Leeds district of West Yorkshire. Founded in 1865 it broke away from the RU in 1895... Manchester Rugby Club Manchester Rugby Club, formerly known as Manchester Football Club, are one of the oldest rugby union clubs in existence, having been founded in 1860, 11 years before the RFU.... |
Leeds Carnegie |
Esher RFC Esher Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in Surrey, England. Esher RFC are currently playing in the second division of the English league system, The Championship. The club was formed in 1923 when four rugby enthusiasts agreed to start a club.... Newbury R.F.C. Newbury Rugby Football Club are a rugby union club representing Newbury. For season 2011/12 they will be playing in National League 3 South West.-Current standings:... Sedgley Park R.U.F.C. Sedgley Park Rugby Union Football Club, the 1st XV team of which play under the name of Sedgley Tigers, are a rugby union club based in Whitefield, in the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, Greater Manchester. They currently play in National Division One, the third tier of the English rugby union league... Otley R.U.F.C. Otley Rugby Union Football Club is an English rugby union club representing Otley in the City of Leeds district of West Yorkshire. Founded in 1865 it broke away from the RU in 1895... Manchester Rugby Club Manchester Rugby Club, formerly known as Manchester Football Club, are one of the oldest rugby union clubs in existence, having been founded in 1860, 11 years before the RFU.... |
| 2009–10 2009–10 RFU Championship The 2009–10 RFU Championship was the 1st season of the second division of the English domestic rugby union competitions, played between August 2009 and May 2010... |
RFU Championship | 12 | Bristol Bristol Rugby Bristol Rugby is a rugby union club based in Bristol, England. The club currently plays in the RFU Championship and competes in the British and Irish Cup. They rely in large part on the many junior rugby clubs in the region, particularly those from 'the Combination'... |
Birmingham and Solihull Birmingham & Solihull R.F.C. Birmingham and Solihull Rugby Football Club are a rugby union club representing Birmingham and Solihull. It was formed in 1989 by a merger of the original Birmingham and Solihull rugby clubs, which were both established over 60 years ago.... |
Exeter Chiefs Exeter Chiefs Exeter Rugby Club are a rugby union club based in Exeter, Devon.The Exeter club was formed around 1871 and played its first match in 1873. The first team has been rebranded as the Exeter Chiefs and play in a strip of Black , White .... |
Coventry Coventry R.F.C. Coventry Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in the city of Coventry, England. The club enjoyed national success during the 1960s and the 1970s, with many of its players playing for their countries.... |
| 2010–11 2010–11 RFU Championship - Group A :- Group B :- Group C :* * Refers to number of points awarded before the start of the play-offs.- Semi-finals :----- Final :----- Top try scorers :- Top points scorers :... |
RFU Championship | 12 | Worcester Warriors | Esher Esher RFC Esher Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in Surrey, England. Esher RFC are currently playing in the second division of the English league system, The Championship. The club was formed in 1923 when four rugby enthusiasts agreed to start a club.... |
Worcester Warriors | Birmingham and Solihull Birmingham & Solihull R.F.C. Birmingham and Solihull Rugby Football Club are a rugby union club representing Birmingham and Solihull. It was formed in 1989 by a merger of the original Birmingham and Solihull rugby clubs, which were both established over 60 years ago.... |
See also
- Summary of the Current League positions for English National LeaguesEnglish Rugby Union LeaguesThis page contains all of the most current England Rugby Union templates for the various leagues. This will allow a ready reference for tracking the progress of the season...
- List of English rugby union teams
- Rugby union in EnglandRugby union in EnglandRugby union is one of the leading professional and recreational team sports in England. A popular myth is that Rugby was created in England in 1823, when William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran with it during a football match at Rugby School. In 1871 the RFU was formed by 21 clubs and the...
- English rugby union systemEnglish rugby union systemEngland has a comprehensive league structure in place, including national fully professional leagues to amateur regional leagues.The format and competitiveness of the leagues have changed greatly since their beginnings in 1987...