2016–17 RFU Championship

2016–17 RFU Championship
Countries  England
 Jersey
Date 3 September 2016 – 24 May 2017
Champions London Irish (1st title)
Runners-up Yorkshire Carnegie
Relegated none
Matches played 129
Attendance 229,202
(average 1,777 per match)
Highest attendance 11,671
London Irish v Cornish Pirates (18 March 2017)
Lowest attendance 438
Ealing Trailfinders v Jersey Reds (17 September 2016)
Tries scored 742
(average 5.8 per match)
Top point scorer England Tommy Bell
(London Irish) 253
Top try scorer England Jonah Holmes
(Yorkshire Carnegie) 16

The 2016–17 RFU Championship, known for sponsorship reasons as the Greene King IPA Championship, is the eighth 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 is contested by eleven English clubs and one from Jersey in the Channel Islands. This will be the fourth year of the competition's sponsorship with Greene King Brewery.[1] The twelve teams in the RFU Championship also compete in the British and Irish Cup, along with clubs from Ireland and Wales. Some matches in the RFU Championship are broadcast on Sky Sports.

On 24 January 2017 London Welsh were expelled from the championship after failing to meet the conditions required by the RFU to extend a temporary licence granted after their liquidation. The club's record for the season was expunged. The RFU announced that no team would be relegated from the Championship at the end of the season.[2]

Structure

The Championship's structure has all the teams playing each other on a home and away basis. The play-off structure will remain the same as the previous year.[3] The top four teams at the end of the home-and-away season qualify for the promotion play-offs which follow a 1 v 4, 2 v 3 system. The winners have to meet the RFU's Minimum Standards Criteria in order to be promoted to the English Premiership. There is no promotion if a ground fails to meet the criteria.[4] Unlike previous seasons there will be no relegation from the league this year.

In 2015 the RFU increased annual funding to over £500,000 per club, an agreement which will last until 2020.[5] Despite this, Cornish Pirates stated more money was needed in RFU grants to support a fully professional second tier.[6]

The 2016–17 season will be the last for play-offs in the Championship for at least three seasons. Starting with the 2017–18 season, the play-offs will be replaced by automatic promotion for the team that finishes first in the home-and-away season, provided said team meets the Minimum Standards Criteria.[7]

Teams

After ten seasons in the Championship Birmingham Moseley were relegated following their last place finish in 2016. They are replaced by Richmond, who won the National League 1 and return to the second tier for the first time since 1997.[8] Richmond subsequently entered administration and dropped eight tiers following two seasons in the premiership between 1997 and 1999.[8] As a result, Richmond stated that they would remain semi-professional and not sign any professional players despite the RFU Championship being fully professional.[8] London Irish, an original founder of the professional English Premiership, join the league after relegation from the 2015–16 Aviva Premiership, finishing bottom of the table.[9]

On 7 December 2016 London Welsh RFC went into liquidation. They were deducted 20 points but allowed to continue in the Championship until January when the RFU would decide on their future.[10] On 24 January 2017 London Welsh were expelled from the championship after failing to meet the conditions required by the RFU to extend the temporary licence. The club's record for the season was expunged and there would be no relegation from the Championship at the end of season.[2]

Greater London RFU Championship teams clubs
Club Stadium Capacity Area Captain DOR/Head Coach[lower-alpha 1]
Bedford Blues Goldington Road 6,000 Bedford, Bedfordshire Jersey Michael Le Bourgeois Wales Mike Rayer
Cornish Pirates Mennaye Field 4,000 (2,200 Seats) Penzance, Cornwall England Chris Morgan Wales Gavin Cattle
England Alan Paver
Doncaster Knights Castle Park 5,000 Doncaster, South Yorkshire England Michael Hills Wales Clive Griffiths
Ealing Trailfinders Trailfinders Sports Ground 3,020 (1,020 seats) West Ealing, London Ireland Danny Kenny England Ben Ward
Jersey Reds St Peter 4,000 Saint Peter, Jersey England Pierce Philips South Africa Harvey Biljon
London Irish Madejski Stadium 24,161[lower-alpha 2] Reading, Berkshire England Luke Narraway England Nick Kennedy
London Scottish Athletic Ground, Richmond 4,500 Richmond, London Wales Rory Bartle Scotland Sean Lineen
London Welsh[lower-alpha 3] Old Deer Park 5,850 (1,000 seats) Richmond, London England Matt Corker England James Buckland
Nottingham Lady Bay Sports Ground 3,000 Nottingham, Nottinghamshire England Matt Everard Ian Costello
Richmond Athletic Ground, Richmond 4,500 Richmond, London England Will Warden England Steve Hill
Rotherham Titans Clifton Lane 2,500 Rotherham, South Yorkshire England Tom Holmes Wales Justin Burnell
Yorkshire Carnegie Headingley Carnegie Stadium 21,062 Leeds, West Yorkshire England Ryan Burrows Scotland Ian McGeechan
Notes
  1. ↑ The Director of Rugby/Head Coach list updated 2 September 2016[11]
  2. ↑ Although Madejski's full capacity is 24,161, for most matches only the West Stand will be open with capacity of 7,579.
  3. ↑ London Welsh started the season but were expelled from the league on 24 January 2017 [2]

Current standings

2016–17 RFU Championship Table
Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
1London Irish (C)20190171229042213191
2Yorkshire Carnegie (F)20150561946115811374
3Ealing Trailfinders (SF)2012165844271577360
4Doncaster Knights (SF)201208514424909158
5Jersey Reds20110945945187758
6Cornish Pirates20929559497628755
7London Scottish207013465605−1407540
8Bedford Blues206113496569−739540
9Nottingham Rugby207112419542−1234539
10Richmond205015347585−2384226
11Rotherham Titans204115333656−3232222
  • 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
Green background are promotion play-off places. (There is no relegation this season.)
Updated: 15 April 2017
Source:"Greene King IPA Championship". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  • Had either Ealing or Doncaster won the play-offs, they would not have accepted promotion, causing no side to be promoted and the bottom Premiership club retaining their place. This did not happen, as London Irish and Yorkshire Carnegie (both of which met the Premiership's minimum standards) won the play-off semi-finals.
Notes

    Fixtures

    Fixtures for the season were announced by the RFU on 8 July 2016.

    [3]

    Round 1

    3 September 2016
    14:00
    Richmond 16 – 41 Jersey Reds (BP)
    Richmond
    Jersey
    Athletic Ground
    Attendance: 893
    Referee: Dean Richards
    3 September 2016
    15:00
    Bedford Blues 17 – 26 Cornish Pirates
    Bedford
    Pirates
    Goldington Road
    Attendance: 2,033
    Referee: Simon Harding
    3 September 2016
    15:00
    Ealing Trailfinders 13 – 30 Yorkshire Carnegie (BP)
    Ealing
    Carnegie
    Trailfinders Sports Ground
    Attendance: 635
    Referee: Darren Gamage
    3 September 2016
    15:00
    London Irish 19 – 0 Doncaster Knights
    Irish
    Doncaster
    Madejski Stadium
    Attendance: 3,503
    Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
    4 September 2016
    14:00
    (BP) Rotherham Titans 33 – 32 London Welsh (2BP)
    Rotherham
    Welsh
    Clifton Lane
    Attendance: 1,382
    Referee: Christophe Ridley
    4 September 2016
    15:00
    Nottingham 25 – 22 London Scottish (BP)
    Nottingham
    Scottish
    Lady Bay Sports Ground
    Attendance: 924
    Referee: Andrew Jackson

    [12]

    Round 2

    10 September 2016
    14:30
    Doncaster Knights 25 – 13 Rotherham Titans
    Doncaster
    Rotherham
    Castle Park
    Attendance: 1,831
    Referee: Matt O'Grady
    10 September 2016
    15:00
    Jersey Reds 14 – 9 Bedford Blues (BP)
    Jersey
    Bedford
    St Peter
    Attendance: 1,630
    Referee: Andrew Jackson
    10 September 2016
    15:00
    (BP) London Irish 36 – 12 Richmond
    Irish
    Richmond
    Madejski Stadium
    Attendance: 3,303
    Referee: Tim Baker
    10 September 2016
    15:00
    London Scottish 9 – 36 London Welsh
    Scottish
    Welsh
    Athletic Ground
    Attendance: 1,146
    Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
    11 September 2016
    14:00
    (BP) Cornish Pirates 31 – 31 Ealing Trailfinders (BP)
    Pirates
    Ealing
    Mennaye Field
    Attendance: 1,347
    Referee: Christophe Ridley
    11 September 2016
    15:00
    Yorkshire Carnegie 26 – 24 Nottingham (2BP)
    Carnegie
    Nottingham
    Headingley Carnegie Stadium
    Attendance: 1,378
    Referee: Greg Macdonald

    [13]

    Round 3

    17 September 2016
    14:00
    Ealing Trailfinders 20 – 15 Jersey Reds (BP)
    Ealing
    Jersey
    Trailfinders Sports Ground
    Attendance: 438
    Referee: Dean Richards
    17 September 2016
    14:00
    (BP) London Welsh 22 – 23 Yorkshire Carnegie
    Welsh
    Carnegie
    Old Deer Park
    Attendance: 1,012
    Referee: John Meredith
    17 September 2016
    15:00
    (BP) Bedford Blues 25 – 30 London Irish (BP)
    Bedford
    Irish
    Goldington Road
    Attendance: 2,585
    Referee: Greg MacDonald
    17 September 2016
    15:00
    Richmond 16 – 57 Doncaster Knights (BP)
    Richmond
    Doncaster
    Athletic Ground
    Attendance: 654
    Referee: Andrew Jackson
    17 September 2016
    15:00
    (BP) Rotherham Titans 30 – 31 London Scottish (BP)
    Rotherham
    Scottish
    Clifton Lane
    Attendance: 1,154
    Referee: Michael Hudson
    18 September 2016
    15:00
    Nottingham 19 – 35 Cornish Pirates (BP)
    Nottingham
    Pirates
    Lady Bay Sports Ground
    Attendance: 1,005[14]
    Referee: Steve Lee

    [15]

    Round 4

    23 September 2016
    19:45
    (BP) Jersey Reds 21 – 22 Nottingham
    Jersey
    Nottingham
    St Peter
    Attendance: 1,723
    Referee: Ian Tempest
    24 September 2016
    14:30
    (BP) Doncaster Knights 30 – 22 Bedford Blues (BP)
    Doncaster
    Bedford
    Castle Park
    Attendance: 1,079
    Referee: John Meredith
    24 September 2016
    15:00
    Richmond 8 – 18 Rotherham Titans
    Richmond
    Rotherham
    Athletic Ground
    Attendance: 658
    Referee: Fergus Kirby
    25 September 2016
    14:00
    Cornish Pirates 16 – 10 London Welsh (BP)
    Pirates
    Welsh
    Mennaye Field
    Attendance: 1,495
    Referee: Paul Andrew
    25 September 2016
    15:00
    (BP) London Irish 32 – 12 Ealing Trailfinders
    Irish
    Ealing
    Madejski Stadium
    Attendance: 3,357
    Referee: Matthew O’Grady
    25 September 2016
    15:00
    (BP) Yorkshire Carnegie 39 – 29 London Scottish (BP)
    Carnegie
    Scottish
    Headingley Carnegie Stadium
    Attendance: 1,807
    Referee: Christopher Ridley

    [16]

    Round 5

    30 September 2016
    19:45
    Nottingham 7 – 29 London Irish (BP)
    Nottingham
    Irish
    Lady Bay Sports Ground
    Attendance: 1,538
    Referee: Andrew Jackson
    1 October 2016
    14:00
    London Welsh 23 – 18 Jersey Reds (BP)
    Welsh
    Jersey
    Old Deer Park
    Attendance: 789
    Referee: Darren Gamage
    1 October 2016
    15:00
    (BP) Bedford Blues 34 – 14 Richmond
    Bedford
    Richmond
    Goldington Road
    Attendance: 2,009
    Referee: Matthew O'Grady
    1 October 2016
    15:00
    Ealing Trailfinders 27 – 14 Doncaster Knights
    Ealing
    Doncaster
    Trailfinders Sports Ground
    Attendance: 629
    Referee: Fergus Kirby
    1 October 2016
    15:00
    London Scottish 25 – 24 Cornish Pirates (BP)
    Scottish
    Pirates
    Athletic Ground
    Attendance: 955
    Referee: Simon Harding
    1 October 2016
    15:00
    Rotherham Titans 21 – 37 Yorkshire Carnegie (BP)
    Rotherham
    Carnegie
    Clifton Lane
    Attendance: 1,237
    Referee: Steve Lee

    [17]

    Round 6

    7 October 2016
    19:45
    Bedford Blues 17 – 16 Rotherham Titans (BP)
    Bedford
    Rotherham
    Goldington Road
    Attendance: 2,398
    Referee: Greg McDonald
    8 October 2016
    14:30
    Doncaster Knights 26 – 21 Nottingham (BP)
    Doncaster
    Nottingham
    Castle Park
    Attendance: 1,368
    Referee: Darren Gamage
    8 October 2016
    15:00
    Jersey Reds 10 – 36 London Scottish (BP)
    Jersey
    Scottish
    St Peter
    Attendance: 1,702
    Referee: John Meredith
    8 October 2016
    15:00
    (BP) London Irish 35 – 12 London Welsh
    Irish
    Welsh
    Madejski Stadium
    Attendance: 4,025
    Referee: Christophe Ridley
    9 October 2016
    15:00
    (BP) Cornish Pirates 28 – 35 Yorkshire Carnegie (BP)
    Pirates
    Carnegie
    Mennaye Field
    Attendance: 1,477
    Referee: Luke Pearce
    9 October 2016
    15:00
    Richmond 12 – 38 Ealing Trailfinders (BP)
    Richmond
    Ealing
    Athletic Ground
    Attendance: 1,108
    Referee: Andrew Jackson

    [18]

    Round 7

    28 October 2016
    20:00
    (BP) Yorkshire Carnegie 35 – 29 Jersey Reds (2BP)
    Yorkshire Carnegie
    Jersey
    Headingley Carnegie Stadium
    Attendance: 1,914
    Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
    29 October 2016
    14:00
    London Welsh 14 – 10 Doncaster Knights (BP)
    Welsh
    Doncaster
    Old Deer Park
    Attendance: 1,025
    Referee: Andrew Jackson
    29 October 2016
    15:00
    Ealing Trailfinders 24 – 23 Bedford Blues (BP)
    Ealing
    Bedford
    Trailfinders Sports Ground
    Attendance: 789
    Referee: Jack Makepeace
    29 October 2016
    15:00
    Rotherham Titans 26 – 24 Cornish Pirates (BP)
    Rotherham
    Pirates
    Clifton Lane
    Attendance: 1,021
    Referee: Matthew O'Grady
    30 October 2016
    15:00
    London Scottish 12 – 62 London Irish (BP)
    Irish
    Report
    Athletic Ground
    Attendance: 2,339
    Referee: Christophe Ridley
    30 October 2016
    15:00
    Nottingham 20 – 8 Richmond
    Nottingham
    Richmond
    Lady Bay Sports Ground
    Attendance: 1,015[19]
    Referee: Mike Hudson

    [20]

    Round 8

    5 November 2016
    14:30
    (BP) Doncaster Knights 29 – 23 London Scottish (BP)
    Doncaster
    Scottish
    Castle Park
    Attendance: 1,339
    Referee: Darren Gamage
    5 November 2016
    15:00
    (2BP) Bedford Blues 34 – 36 Nottingham (BP)
    Bedford
    Nottingham
    Goldington Road
    Attendance: 2,487
    Referee: Tom Foley
    5 November 2016
    15:00
    (BP) Ealing Trailfinders 50 – 24 Rotherham Titans (BP)
    Ealing
    Rotherham
    Trailfinders Sports Ground
    Attendance: 638
    Referee: Simon Harding
    5 November 2016
    15:00
    Jersey Reds 27 – 24 Cornish Pirates (BP)
    Jersey
    Pirates
    St Peter
    Attendance: 1,504
    Referee: Steve Lee
    5 November 2016
    15:00
    (BP) London Irish 41 – 17 Yorkshire Carnegie
    Irish
    Carnegie
    Madejski Stadium
    Attendance: 4,067
    Referee: Ian Tempest
    5 November 2016
    15:00
    Richmond 5 – 33 London Welsh (BP)
    Richmond
    Welsh
    Athletic Ground
    Attendance: 961
    Referee: Wayne Barnes

    [21]

    Round 9

    18 November 2016
    19:00
    (BP) London Scottish 16 – 17 Richmond
    Scottish
    Richmond
    Athletic Ground
    Attendance: 1,684
    Referee: Simon Harding
    18 November 2016
    19:45
    Nottingham 17 – 13 Ealing Trailfinders (BP)
    Nottingham
    Ealing
    Lady Bay Sports Ground
    Attendance: 1,050
    Referee: Matt O'Grady
    18 November 2016
    20:00
    Yorkshire Carnegie 24 – 6 Doncaster Knights
    Carnegie
    Doncaster
    Headingley Carnegie Stadium
    Attendance: 2,617
    Referee: Steve Lee
    19 November 2016
    12:00
    London Welsh 25 – 38 Bedford Blues (BP)
    Welsh
    Bedford
    Old Deer Park
    Attendance: 787
    Referee: Christophe Ridley
    19 November 2016
    13:00
    Cornish Pirates 24 – 35 London Irish (BP)
    Pirates
    Irish
    Mennaye Field
    Attendance: 2,043
    Referee: Fergus Kirby
    19 November 2016
    14:00
    Rotherham Titans 23 – 16 Jersey Reds (BP)
    Rotherham
    Jersey
    Clifton Lane
    Attendance: 918
    Referee: Mike Hudson

    [22]

    Round 10

    25 November 2016
    19:45
    (BP) Bedford Blues 10 – 13 London Scottish
    Bedford
    Scottish
    Goldington Road
    Attendance: 2,339
    Referee: Fergus Kirby
    25 November 2016
    19:45
    (BP) Richmond 31 – 39 Yorkshire Carnegie (BP)
    Richmond
    Carnegie
    Athletic Ground
    Attendance: 701
    Referee: Darren Gamage
    26 November 2016
    15:00
    Ealing Trailfinders 19 – 11 London Welsh
    Ealing
    Welsh
    Trailfinders Sports Ground
    Attendance: 792
    Referee: Michael Hudson
    27 November 2016
    14:00
    (BP) Doncaster Knights 26 – 35 Cornish Pirates
    Doncaster
    Pirates
    Castle Park
    Attendance: 2,748
    Referee: Jack Makepeace
    27 November 2016
    14:00
    (BP) London Irish 42 – 29 Jersey Reds (BP)
    Irish
    Jersey
    Madejski Stadium
    Attendance: 3,460
    Referee: John Meredith
    27 November 2016
    15:00
    Nottingham 19 – 19 Rotherham Titans
    Nottingham
    Rotherham
    Lady Bay Sports Ground
    Attendance: 1,037
    Referee: Christophe Ridley

    [23]

    Round 11

    2 December 2016
    19:00
    London Scottish 28 – 12 Ealing Trailfinders
    Scottish
    Ealing
    Athletic Ground
    Attendance: 951
    Referee: John Meredith
    2 December 2016
    20:00
    (BP) Yorkshire Carnegie 28 – 15 Bedford Blues
    Carnegie
    Bedford
    Headingley Carnegie Stadium
    Attendance: 1,894
    Referee: Andrew Jackson
    3 December 2016
    14:00
    (BP) London Welsh 26 – 20 Nottingham (2BP)
    Welsh
    Nottingham
    Old Deer Park
    Attendance: 531
    Referee: Jack Makepeace
    3 December 2016
    14:00
    Rotherham Titans 10 – 38 London Irish (BP)
    Rotherham
    Irish
    Clifton Lane
    Attendance: 1,342
    Referee: Andrew Jackson
    3 December 2016
    14:30
    (BP) Jersey Reds 35 – 29 Doncaster Knights (2BP)
    Jersey
    St Peters
    Attendance: 1,277
    Referee: Tom Foley
    4 December 2016
    14:00
    (BP) Cornish Pirates 23 – 26 Richmond (BP)
    Pirates
    Mennaye Field
    Attendance: 1,292
    Referee: Matthew O’Grady

    [24]

    Round 12

    24 December 2016
    13:15
    (BP) London Welsh 37 – 5 London Scottish
    Welsh
    Scottish
    Old Deer Park
    Attendance: 1,683
    Referee: Dean Richards
    24 December 2016
    14:00
    (BP) Ealing Trailfinders 16 – 22 Cornish Pirates
    Ealing
    Pirates
    Trailfinders Sports Ground
    Attendance: 856
    Referee: Michael Hudson
    24 December 2016
    15:00
    (BP) Richmond 20 – 26 London Irish
    Richmond
    Irish
    Athletic Ground
    Attendance: 2,891
    Referee: Karl Dickson
    26 December 2016
    14:00
    (BP) Nottingham 17 – 24 Yorkshire Carnegie
    Nottingham
    Carnegie
    Lady Bay Sports Ground
    Attendance: 1,208
    Referee: Fergus Kirby
    26 December 2016
    14:00
    Rotherham Titans 12 – 23 Doncaster Knights
    Rotherham
    Doncaster
    Clifton Lane
    Attendance: 1,872
    Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
    26 December 2016
    15:00
    (BP) Bedford Blues 39 – 37 Jersey (2BP)
    Bedford
    Jersey
    Goldington Road
    Attendance: 4,621
    Referee: Andrew Jackson

    [25]

    Round 13

    31 December 2016
    12:30
    (BP) Cornish Pirates 41 – 20 Nottingham
    Pirates
    Nottingham
    Mennaye Field
    Attendance: 1,635
    Referee: Jack Makepeace
    31 December 2016
    14:00
    (BP) London Irish 36 – 21 Bedford Blues
    Irish
    Bedford
    Madejski Stadium
    Attendance: 4,345
    Referee: John Meredith
    31 December 2016
    14:30
    (BP) Doncaster Knights 34 – 3 Richmond
    Doncaster
    Richmond
    Castle Park
    Attendance: 1,337
    Referee: Steve Lee
    1 January 2017
    14:00
    (BP) Jersey Reds 13 – 19 Ealing Trailfinders
    Jersey
    Ealing
    St Peters
    Attendance: 1,596
    Referee: Christophe Ridley
    1 January 2017
    14:00
    (BP) London Scottish 36 – 15 Rotherham Titans
    Scottish
    Rotherham
    Athletic Ground
    Attendance: 1,126
    Referee: Simon Harding
    1 January 2017
    15:00
    Yorkshire Carnegie 20 – 13 London Welsh (BP)
    Carnegie
    Welsh
    Headingley Carnegie Stadium
    Attendance: 2,117
    Referee: Tim Wigglesworth

    [26]

    Round 14

    28 January 2017
    14:30
    London Scottish 14 – 26 Yorkshire Carnegie
    Scottish
    Carnegie
    Athletic Ground
    Attendance: 1,175
    Referee: Dean Richards
    28 January 2017
    14:00
    Rotherham Titans 23 – 10 Richmond
    Rotherham
    Richmond
    Clifton Lane
    Attendance: 913
    Referee: Tom Foley
    28 January 2017
    15:00
    (BP) Bedford Blues 22 – 40 Doncaster Knights (BP)
    Bedford
    Doncaster
    Goldington Road
    Attendance: 1,901
    Referee: Ian Tempest
    28 January 2017
    15:00
    (BP) Ealing Trailfinders 22 – 23 London Irish
    Ealing
    Irish
    Trailfinders Sports Ground
    Attendance: 2,630
    Referee: JP Doyle
    29 January 2017
    15:00
    (BP) Nottingham 19 – 24 Jersey Reds
    Nottingham
    Jersey
    Lady Bay Sports Ground
    Attendance: 939
    Referee: Tim Wigglesworth

    [27]

    Round 15

    4 February 2017
    14:00
    (BP) Richmond 49 – 26 Bedford Blues (BP)
    Richmond
    Bedford
    Athletic Ground
    Attendance: 1,019
    Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
    4 February 2017
    14:30
    Doncaster Knights 21 – 29 Ealing Trailfinders
    Doncaster
    Ealing
    Castle Park
    Attendance: 1,452
    Referee: Matt Carley
    5 February 2017
    14:30
    Cornish Pirates 25 – 24 London Scottish (BP)
    Pirates
    Scottish
    Mennaye Field
    Attendance: 1,301
    Referee: Fergus Kirby
    5 February 2017
    15:00
    (BP) London Irish 60 – 14 Nottingham
    Irish
    Nottingham
    Madejski Stadium
    Attendance: 2,586[28]
    Referee: Simon Harding[29]
    5 February 2017
    15:00
    (BP) Yorkshire Carnegie 56 – 26 Rotherham Titans (BP)
    Carnegie
    Headingley Carnegie Stadium
    Attendance: 1,846
    Referee: Andrew Jackson

    [30]

    Round 16

    17 February 2017
    19:45
    Nottingham 7 – 29 Doncaster Knights (BP)
    Nottingham
    Doncaster
    Lady Bay Sports Ground
    Attendance: 1,275
    Referee: Luke Pearce
    18 February 2017
    14:00
    (2BP) London Scottish 33 – 37 Jersey Reds (BP)
    Scottish
    Jersey
    Athletic Ground
    Attendance: 1,371
    Referee: Greg McDonald
    18 February 2017
    14:00
    Rotherham Titans 21 – 36 Bedford Blues (BP)
    Rotherham
    Bedford
    Clifton Lane
    Attendance: 859
    Referee: Ben Blain
    18 February 2017
    15:00
    (BP) Ealing Trailfinders 27 – 20 Richmond (BP)
    Ealing
    Richmond
    Trailfinders Sports Ground
    Attendance: 1,022
    Referee: Steve Lee
    18 February 2017
    15:00
    Yorkshire Carnegie 27 – 42 Cornish Pirates (BP)
    Carnegie
    Pirates
    Headingley Carnegie Stadium
    Attendance: 1,354
    Referee: Matthew O'Grady

    [31]

    Round 17

    24 February 2017
    19:45
    Jersey Reds 24 – 19 Yorkshire Carnegie (BP)
    Jersey
    Carnegie
    St Peter
    Attendance: 1,493
    Referee: Christophe Ridley
    25 February 2017
    15:00
    Bedford Blues 16 – 29 Ealing Trailfinders
    Bedford
    Ealing
    Goldington Road
    Attendance: 2,094
    Referee: Matthew O'Grady
    25 February 2017
    15:00
    (BP) London Irish 29 – 20 London Scottish
    Irish
    Scottish
    Madejski Stadium
    Attendance: 2,572
    Referee: Michael Hudson
    25 February 2017
    15:00
    Richmond 22 – 7 Nottingham
    Richmond
    Nottingham
    Athletic Ground
    Attendance: 624
    Referee: Fergus Kirby
    26 February 2017
    15:00
    (BP) Cornish Pirates 34 – 5 Rotherham Titans
    Pirates
    Rotherham
    Mennaye Field
    Attendance: 1,056
    Referee: John Stevens

    [32]

    Round 18

    4 March 2017
    14:00
    London Scottish 14 – 48 Doncaster Knights (BP)
    Scottish
    Doncaster
    Athletic Ground
    Attendance: 1,236
    Referee: Christophe Ridley
    4 March 2017
    14:00
    Rotherham Titans 12 – 51 Ealing Trailfinders (BP)
    Rotherham
    Ealing
    Clifton Lane
    Attendance: 773
    Referee: Ian Tempest
    5 March 2017
    14:00
    (BP) Cornish Pirates 5 – 7 Jersey Reds
    Pirates
    Jersey
    Mennaye Field
    Attendance: 1,535
    Referee: Simon Harding
    5 March 2017
    15:00
    (BP) Nottingham 21 – 24 Bedford Blues
    Nottingham
    Bedford
    Lady Bay Sports Ground
    Attendance: 1,153
    Referee: Greg Macdonald[33]
    5 March 2017
    15:00
    (BP) Yorkshire Carnegie 14 – 20 London Irish
    Carnegie
    Irish
    Headingley Carnegie Stadium
    Attendance: 3,136
    Referee: Luke Pearce

    [34]

    Round 19

    18 March 2017
    14:00
    (BP) London Irish 39 – 10 Cornish Pirates
    Irish
    Pirates
    Madejski Stadium
    Attendance: 11,671[a 1]
    Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
    18 March 2017
    14:30
    Richmond 8 – 19 London Scottish
    Richmond
    Scottish
    Athletic Ground
    Attendance: 1,575
    Referee: Ben Blaine
    18 March 2017
    15:00
    (BP) Ealing Trailfinders 59 – 12 Nottingham
    Ealing
    Nottingham
    Trailfinders Sports Ground
    Attendance: 682
    Referee: Matthew O'Grady
    18 March 2017
    15:00
    Jersey Reds 17 – 9 Rotherham Titans
    Jersey
    Rotherham
    St Peter
    Attendance: 1,235
    Referee: Andrew Jackson
    19 March 2017
    15:00
    Doncaster Knights 31 – 26 Yorkshire Carnegie (2 BP)
    Doncaster
    Carnegie
    Castle Park
    Attendance: 1,996
    Referee: Dean Richards

    [36]

    1. ↑ London Irish's attendance of 11,671 was a RFU Championship regular season record. Note this does not include RFU Championship playoff games or games in the old National Division One prior to the Championship's inception in 2009-10.[35]

    Round 20

    25 March 2017
    14:00
    (BP) London Scottish 22 – 41 Bedford Blues (BP)
    Scottish
    Bedford
    Athletic Ground
    Attendance: 1,301
    Referee: Fergus Kirby
    25 March 2017
    14:00
    Rotherham Titans 7 – 46 Nottingham (BP)
    Rotherham
    Nottingham
    Clifton Lane
    Attendance: 937
    Referee: John Meredith
    25 March 2017
    15:00
    Jersey Reds 15 – 11 London Irish (BP)
    Irish
    Jersey
    St Peter
    Attendance: 3,317
    Referee: Matthew Carley
    26 March 2017
    15:00
    (BP) Cornish Pirates 34 – 17 Doncaster Knights
    Pirates
    Doncaster
    Mennaye Field
    Attendance: 1,248
    Referee: Matthew O'Grady
    26 March 2017
    15:00
    (BP) Yorkshire Carnegie 41 – 3 Richmond
    Carnegie
    Richmond
    Headingley Carnegie Stadium
    Attendance: 1,164
    Referee: Mike Hudson

    [37]

    Round 21

    8 April 2017
    14:30
    Doncaster Knights 24 – 20 Jersey Reds (BP)
    Doncaster
    Jersey
    Castle Park
    Attendance: 1,698
    Referee: Greg McDonald
    8 April 2017
    15:00
    (BP) Bedford Blues 27 – 43 Yorkshire Carnegie (BP)
    Bedford
    Carnegie
    Goldington Road
    Attendance: 2,685
    Referee: Jamie Leahy
    8 April 2017
    15:00
    (BP) Ealing Trailfinders 72 – 29 London Scottish (BP)
    Ealing
    Scottish
    Trailfinders Sports Ground
    Attendance: 896
    Referee: Jack Makepeace
    8 April 2017
    15:00
    (BP) London Irish 82 – 3 Rotherham Titans
    Irish
    Madejski Stadium
    Attendance: 1,786
    Referee: Simon Harding
    8 April 2017
    15:00
    (BP) Richmond 35 – 32 Cornish Pirates (2BP)
    Richmond
    Pirates
    Athletic Ground
    Attendance: 1,191
    Referee: John Meredith

    [38]

    Round 22

    15 April 2017
    15:00
    (BP) Cornish Pirates 40 - 40 Bedford Blues (2 BP)
    Pirates
    Bedford
    Mennaye Field
    Attendance: 1,703
    Referee: Dean Richards
    15 April 2017
    15:00
    Doncaster Knights 5 – 22 London Irish
    Doncaster
    Irish
    Castle Park
    Attendance: 2,089
    Referee: Andrew Jackson
    15 April 2017
    15:00
    (BP) Jersey Reds 28 - 17 Richmond
    Jersey
    Richmond
    St Peter
    Attendance: 2,210
    Referee: Fergus Kirby
    15 April 2017
    15:00
    London Scottish 19 - 46 Nottingham (BP)
    Scottish
    Nottingham
    Athletic Ground
    Attendance: 1,130
    Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe
    15 April 2017
    15:00
    (BP) Yorkshire Carnegie 33 – 20 Ealing Trailfinders
    Carnegie
    Ealing
    Headingley Carnegie Stadium
    Attendance: 1,362
    Referee: Matthew O'Grady

    [39]

    Play-offs

    Semi-finals

    The semi-finals follow a 1 v 4, 2 v 3 system – with the games being played over two-legs and the higher placed team choosing which leg they play at home. The matches are due to be played on 28/30 April 2017 and 5/6 May 2017.[3] London Irish and Yorkshire finished 1st and 2nd respectively and have both chosen to play the second leg at home.[40][41] It was announced on 27 April that both London Irish and Yorkshire Carnegie were eligible for promotion while Doncaster Knights and Ealing Trailfinders did not apply for audit for minimum standards criteria and therefore will not be promoted should they win the championship.[42]

    First leg

    28 April 2017
    19:45
    Ealing Trailfinders 16 – 34 Yorkshire Carnegie
    Ealing
    Yorkshire
    Trailfinders Sports Ground
    Attendance: 966
    Referee: Ian Tempest

    [43]

    30 April 2017
    15:00
    Doncaster Knights 3 – 35 London Irish
    Irish
    Doncaster
    Castle Park
    Attendance: 2,173
    Referee: Luke Pearce

    Second leg

    5 May 2017
    19:45
    Yorkshire Carnegie 18 – 20 Ealing Trailfinders
    Carnegie
    Ealing
    Headingley Carnegie Stadium
    Attendance: 2,216
    Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
    • Yorkshire Carnegie won 52 – 36 on aggregate

    [44]

    6 May 2017
    13:15
    London Irish 39 – 22 Doncaster Knights
    Irish
    Doncaster
    Madejski Stadium
    Attendance: 4,644
    Referee: Matt O’Grady
    • London Irish won 74 – 25 on aggregate

    [44]

    Final

    The final is played over two legs – with the higher placed team deciding which leg they play at home.

    First leg

    17 May 2017
    19:45
    Yorkshire Carnegie 18 – 29 London Irish
    Yorkshire
    Irish
    Headingley Carnegie Stadium
    Attendance: 4,126
    Referee: JP Doyle

    Second leg

    24 May 2017
    19:45
    London Irish 55 – 48 Yorkshire Carnegie
    Irish
    Carnegie
    Madejski Stadium
    Attendance: 7,830
    Referee: Matthew Carley
    • London Irish won 84 – 66 on aggregate and are promoted to the Premiership

    Attendances

    • Includes playoff games.
    Club Home
    Games    		 Total Average Highest Lowest % Capacity
    Bedford Blues10[b 1]25,1522,5154,6211,90142%
    Cornish Pirates1116,1321,4672,0431,05637%
    Doncaster Knights11[b 2]19,1101,7372,7481,07935%
    Ealing Trailfinders12[b 3]10,9739142,63043830%
    Jersey Reds10[b 4]17,6871,7693,3171,23544%
    London Irish13[b 5]57,1494,39611,6711,78618%
    London Scottish1114,4141,3102,33995129%
    London Welsh6[b 6]5,8279711,68353117%
    Nottingham10[b 7]11,1441,1141,53892437%
    Richmond1112,2751,1162,89162425%
    Rotherham Titans1112,4081,1281,87277345%
    Yorkshire Carnegie13[b 8]26,9312,0724,1261,16410%

    [45][43][44]

    Notes
    1. ↑
      • Due to London Welsh's expulsion Bedford only played 10 home games.
    2. ↑
      • Due to London Welsh's expulsion Doncaster only played 10 home games in the league stage. As they reached the promotion playoffs they played 11 homes games overall.
    3. ↑
      • Ealing Trailfinders played 12 home games as they reached the promotion playoff semi-finals.
    4. ↑
      • Due to London Welsh's expulsion Jersey only played 10 home games.
    5. ↑
      • London Irish played 13 home games as they reached the promotion playoff final.
    6. ↑
      • London Welsh only played 6 home games as they were expelled from the Championship in January 2017 after going into liquidation.[2]
    7. ↑
      • Due to London Welsh's expulsion Nottingham only played 10 home games.
    8. ↑
      • Yorkshire Carnegie played 13 home games as they reached the promotion playoff final.

    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). Stats also cover playoff games.

    Season records

    • Updated to 17 May 2017

    See also

    References

    1. ↑ "Greene King IPA to sponsor RFU Championship" (Press release). Rugby Football Union. 26 June 2013. Archived from the original on 1 July 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
    2. 1 2 3 4 "London Welsh: RFU refuses permission for Exiles to stay in Championship". BBC Sport. 24 January 2017.
    3. 1 2 3 "Greene King IPA Championship fixtures confirmed". England Rugby. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
    4. ↑ "Bristol, Yorkshire Carnegie and Doncaster meet Premiership promotion criteria". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
    5. ↑ "Championship: 'Extra RFU funding is not enough', Plymouth chief". BBC Sport. 13 March 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
    6. ↑ Pilnick, Brent (2016-04-21). "Championship rugby: Cornish Pirates call for RFU to increase funding for second tier". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2016-05-06.
    7. ↑ "Play-off system removed from Greene King IPA Championship from next season" (Press release). Premiership Rugby Limited. 3 March 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
    8. 1 2 3 "Richmond RFC accept promotion, but without help of professionals". Plymouth Herald. 2016-04-29. Retrieved 2016-05-06.
    9. ↑ Williams, Adam (2016-05-02). "London Irish: What next for club following Premiership relegation?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2016-05-06.
    10. ↑ "London Welsh: Championship club to go into liquidation". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
    11. ↑ Newcombe, Jon (28 August 2016). "Sorry, but it's curtains for Richmond". RugbyPaper (415). pp. 24–25.
    12. ↑ "Championship". RugbyPaper (416). 4 September 2016. pp. 26–27 & 40.
    13. ↑ "Championship". RugbyPaper (417). 11 September 2016. pp. 26–27 & 38.
    14. ↑ "Championship 16/17 Match overview Nottingham VS Cornish Pirates". Rugby Statbunker. 2016-09-18.
    15. ↑ "Championship". RugbyPaper (418). 18 September 2016. pp. 26–27 & 38.
    16. ↑ "Championship". RugbyPaper (419). 25 September 2016. pp. 26–27 & 38.
    17. ↑ "Championship". RugbyPaper (420). 2 October 2016. pp. 28–29 & 38.
    18. ↑ "Championship". RugbyPaper (421). 9 October 2016. pp. 26–27 & 38.
    19. ↑ "Championship 16/17 Match overview Nottingham VS Richmond". Rugby Statbunker. 2016-10-30.
    20. ↑ "Championship". RugbyPaper (424). 30 October 2016. pp. 28–29 & 38.
    21. ↑ "Championship". RugbyPaper (425). 6 November 2016. pp. 26–27 & 38.
    22. ↑ "Championship". RugbyPaper (427). 20 November 2016. pp. 28–29 & 38.
    23. ↑ "Championship". RugbyPaper (428). 27 November 2016. pp. 26–27 & 38.
    24. ↑ "Championship". RugbyPaper (429). 4 December 2016. pp. 30–31 & 40.
    25. ↑ "Championship". RugbyPaper (432). 27 December 2016. pp. 24–25 & 28.
    26. ↑ "Championship". RugbyPaper (433). 1 January 2017. pp. 24–26.
    27. ↑ "Championship". RugbyPaper (437). 28 January 2017. pp. 14–15 & 40.
    28. ↑ "FULL TIME: London Irish 60-14 Nottingham". The Reading Chronicle. 5 February 2017.
    29. ↑ "REFEREES TO 6 FEBRUARY 2017". Rugby 365. 31 January 2017.
    30. ↑ "Championship". RugbyPaper (438). 5 February 2017. pp. 28–29 & 38.
    31. ↑ "Greene King IPA Championship". The RugbyPaper (440). 19 February 2017. pp. 18–19 & 38.
    32. ↑ "Greene King IPA Championship". The RugbyPaper (441). 26 February 2017. pp. 32–33 & 39.
    33. ↑ "REFEREES TO 6 MARCH 2017". Rugby 365. 28 February 2017.
    34. ↑ "Greene King IPA Championship". The RugbyPaper (442). 5 March 2017. pp. 26–37 & 38.
    35. ↑ "MATCH REPORT: IRISH GUARANTEE TOP SPOT IN FRONT OF RECORD CROWD". London Irish. 18 March 2017.
    36. ↑ "Greene King IPA Championship". The RugbyPaper (444). 19 March 2017. pp. 30–31 & 41.
    37. ↑ "Greene King IPA Championship". The RugbyPaper (445). 26 March 2017. pp. 26–27 & 38.
    38. ↑ "Greene King IPA Championship". The RugbyPaper (447). 9 April 2017. pp. 28–29 & 38.
    39. 1 2 3 "Greene King IPA Championship". The RugbyPaper (448). 16 April 2017. pp. 28–29 & 34.
    40. ↑ "Irish Guarantee top spot in front of record crowd". London Irish. London Irish Scottish Richmond Limited. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
    41. ↑ "Greene King IPA Championship 2016/17 play-offs confirmed". Doncaster Knights. Dncaster Rugby Football Club. Retrieved 15 April 2017.
    42. ↑ "Championship play-offs: Doncaster Knights and Ealing Trailfinders do not want promotion". BBC Sport. 27 April 2017. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
    43. 1 2 "Greene King IPA Championship". The RugbyPaper (450). 30 April 2017. pp. 26–27 & 36.
    44. 1 2 3 "Greene King IPA Championship". The RugbyPaper (450). 30 April 2017. pp. 26–27 & 34.
    45. 1 2 "Championship 16/17 Home attendances". Rugby Statbunker. 25 May 2017.
    46. ↑ "Championship 16/17 Leading top scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 24 May 2017.
    47. ↑ "Championship 16/17 Leading try scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 24 May 2017.
    48. ↑ "Championship 16/17 Most tries in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 17 May 2017.
    49. ↑ "Championship 16/17 Most conversions in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 17 May 2017.
    50. ↑ "Championship 16/17 Most penalties in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 17 May 2017.
    51. ↑ "Championship 16/17 Most drop goals in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 17 May 2017.
    52. ↑ "Championship 16/17 Most points in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 17 May 2017.
    53. ↑ "Championship 16/17 Most tries in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 17 May 2017.
    54. ↑ "Championship 16/17 Most conversions in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 17 May 2017.
    55. ↑ "Championship 16/17 Most penalties in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 17 May 2017.
    56. ↑ "Championship 16/17 Most drop goals in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 17 May 2017.
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