2023–24 RFU Championship

Rugby union competition in England

2023–24 RFU Championship

Countries|  England
Date| 20 October 2023 — 25 May 2024
Champions| Ealing Trailfinders (2nd title)
Matches played| 110
Attendance| 175,342
(average 1,594 per match)
Highest attendance| 5,047 – Coventry v Nottingham, 26 December 2023
Lowest attendance| 481 – London Scottish v Doncaster Knights, 9 March 2024
Tries scored| 895
(average 8.1 per match)
Top point scorer| 184 – Patrick Pellegrini, Coventry
Top try scorer| 16 – Matt Cornish, Ealing Trailfinders

<- 2022–23

2024–25 ->

The 2023–24 RFU Championship is the fifteen season of the RFU Championship, the professional second tier of rugby union in England. It features eleven English teams, with the 12th team, and reigning champions, Jersey Reds, withdrawing from the competition at the start of the season after going into liquidation.[1]

Ealing Trailfinders were crowned champions on 11 May 2024 with a game still to play, despite losing away to Doncaster Knights, thanks to Cornish Pirates defeating Coventry on the same day.[2] It would be Ealing's second Championship title in three years, but once again they would be denied promotion to the Premiership due to the minimum standard criteria.[3] No teams would be relegated this season due to Jersey's liquidation.

## Structure

[edit]

The eleven 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. Due to Jersey Reds dropping out of the league, and there being only eleven teams, there will be no relegation to National League 1, although the champions of National League will be promoted to become the twelfth team for the 2024–25 season.

## Teams

[edit]

Ten of the eleven teams played in last season's competition. Cambridge were promoted into the division as the champions of 2022–23 National League 1, replacing bottom placed Richmond who dropped down to the 2023–24 National League 1.[4]

| Club  | Stadium  | Capacity  | Area  | Previous season

|
|
|
|

Ampthill | Dillingham Park  | 3,000  | Ampthill, Bedfordshire | 8th
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 | Promoted from National League 1
Cornish Pirates | Mennaye Field | 4,000 (2,200 seats)  | Penzance, Cornwall | 5th
Coventry | Butts Park Arena | 5,200 (3,000 seats)  | Coventry, West Midlands | 3rd
Doncaster Knights | Castle Park | 5,183[5] (1,926 seats)  | Doncaster, South Yorkshire | 6th
Ealing Trailfinders | Trailfinders Sports Ground | 5,000 (2,115 seats)  | West Ealing, London | 2nd
Hartpury University | ALPAS Arena  | 2,000  | Hartpury, Gloucestershire | 7th
London Scottish | Athletic Ground | 4,500 (1,000 seats)  | Richmond, London | 11th
Nottingham | Lady Bay Sports Ground  | 3,500  | Nottingham, Nottinghamshire | 9th

Ampthill

Bedford Blues

Caldy

Cambridge

Cornish Pirates

Coventry

Doncaster Knights

Ealing Trailfinders

London Scottish

Hartpury University

Nottingham

class=notpageimage|

Locations of the 2023–24 RFU Championship teams

## Table

[edit]

2023–24 RFU Championship table Pos | Team

* v
* t
* e

| Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TB | LB | Pts

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | Ealing Trailfinders (C) | 20  | 16  | 0  | 4  | 823  | 417  | +406  | 16  | 2  | 82
2  | Cornish Pirates | 20  | 15  | 1  | 4  | 589  | 408  | +181  | 12  | 1  | 75
3  | Coventry | 20  | 14  | 0  | 6  | 698  | 428  | +270  | 15  | 2  | 73
4  | Bedford Blues | 20  | 12  | 0  | 8  | 590  | 563  | +27  | 13  | 4  | 65
5  | Hartpury University | 20  | 11  | 0  | 9  | 627  | 551  | +76  | 11  | 4  | 59
6  | Doncaster Knights | 20  | 11  | 1  | 8  | 509  | 529  | −20  | 9  | 2  | 57
7  | Ampthill | 20  | 10  | 0  | 10  | 573  | 607  | −34  | 14  | 2  | 56
8  | Nottingham | 20  | 8  | 0  | 12  | 487  | 615  | −128  | 13  | 2  | 47
9  | London Scottish | 20  | 4  | 1  | 15  | 510  | 614  | −104  | 10  | 7  | 35
10  | Caldy | 20  | 5  | 1  | 14  | 415  | 675  | −260  | 8  | 1  | 31
11  | Cambridge | 20  | 2  | 0  | 18  | 382  | 796  | −414  | 7  | 5  | 20

Updated to match(es) played on 25 May 2024. Source: "The Championship". England Rugby.
Rules for classification: If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:

1. Number of matches won
2. Difference between points for and against
3. Total number of points for
4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
5. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled

There is no relegation this season
(C) Champions (ineligible for Promotion play-off)

## Fixtures & results

[edit]

Fixtures for the season was announced by the RFU on 29 June 2023.[6]

### Round 1

[edit]

20 October 2023
19:30

Cornish Pirates| 21 – 0| London Scottish

|
|

| |
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,143
Referee: George Selwood

21 October 2023
14:00

(1 BP) Ampthill| 28 – 26| Cambridge (2 BP)

|
|

| |
Dillingham Park
Attendance: 708
Referee: Dan Rhys Jones

21 October 2023
14:30

Doncaster Knights| 20 – 18| Hartpury University (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Castle Park
Attendance: 2,056
Referee: Hamish Grant

21 October 2023
15:00

Bedford Blues| 21 – 41| Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,380
Referee: Mike Hudson

21 October 2023
15:00

(1 BP) Caldy| 31 – 41| Nottingham (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Paton Field
Attendance: 1,278
Referee: Joe James

[7]

Bye/s: Coventry

### Round 2

[edit]

28 October 2023
14:30

(1 BP) Cornish Pirates| 18 – 20| Bedford Blues

|
|

| |
Mennaye Fields
Attendance: 1,414
Referee: Jonathan Cook

28 October 2023
14:30

Hartpury University| 28 – 36| Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP)

|
|

| |
ALPAS Arena
Attendance: 486
Referee: Richard Gordon

28 October 2023
15:00

Cambridge| 14 – 61| Doncaster Knights (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Grantchester Road
Attendance: 1,308
Referee: Alexander Thomas

28 October 2023
15:00

(1 BP) Nottingham| 41 – 28| Ampthill (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 979
Referee: Andrew Wigley

28 October 2023
16:00

(1 BP) Coventry| 45 – 5| Caldy

|
|

| |
Butts Park Arena
Attendance: 2,611
Referee: Harry Walbaum

[8]

Bye/s: London Scottish

### Round 3

[edit]

4 November 2023
14:00

(1 BP) Ampthill| 34 – 24| Coventry (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Dillingham Park
Attendance: 757
Referee: Andrew Wigley

4 November 2023
14:00

(1 BP) Caldy| 29 – 19| London Scottish

|
|

| |
Paton Field
Attendance: 1,258
Referee: Michael Hudson

4 November 2023
14:00

(1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders| 64 – 7| Cambridge

|
|

| |
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 811
Referee: Jonathan Cook

4 November 2023
14:30

(1 BP) Doncaster Knights| 30 – 19| Nottingham

|
|

| |
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,872
Referee: Simon Harding

11 November 2023
15:00

(1 BP) Bedford Blues| 53 – 12| Hartpury University

|
|

| |
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,414
Referee: Alex Thomas

[9][10]

Bye/s: Cornish Pirates

### Round 4

[edit]

17 November 2023
19:45

London Scottish| 10 – 36| Ampthill (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 763
Referee: Jonathan Cook

17 November 2023
19:45

(1 BP) Nottingham| 26 – 38| Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,208
Referee: Andrew Jackson

18 November 2023
14:00

(1 BP) Cambridge| 22 – 40| Hartpury University (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Grantchester Road
Attendance: 1,085
Referee: Hamish Grant

18 November 2023
14:30

(1 BP) Cornish Pirates| 49 – 22| Caldy

|
|

| |
Mennaye Fields
Attendance: 1,454
Referee: George Selwood

18 November 2023
15:00

(1 BP) Coventry| 51 – 7| Doncaster Knights

|
|

| |
Butts Park Arena
Attendance: 3,417
Referee: Sara Cox

[11]

Bye/s: Bedford Blues

### Round 5

[edit]

24 November 2023
19:45

Hartpury University| 20 – 32| Nottingham (1 BP)

|
|

| |
ALPAS Arena
Attendance: 745
Referee: Mike Hudson

25 November 2023
14:00

Ampthill| 24 – 46| Cornish Pirates (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Dillingham Park
Attendance: 852
Referee: Harry Walbaum

25 November 2023
14:30

(1 BP) Doncaster Knights| 29 – 24| London Scottish (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Castle Park
Attendance: 2,264
Referee: Richard Gordon

25 November 2023
14:30

(1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders| 31 – 13| Coventry

|
|

| |
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,237
Referee: Matthew Carley

25 November 2023
15:00

(1 BP) Bedford Blues| 59 – 19| Cambridge

|
|

| |
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,998
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys

[12]

Bye/s: Caldy

### Round 6

[edit]

1 December 2023
19:45

(1 BP) Nottingham| 22 – 19| Cambridge (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,243
Referee: Hamish Smales

2 December 2023
14:00

Caldy| P – P| Bedford Blues

|
|

| |
Paton Field

* Postponed due to frozen pitch. Game to be rescheduled for 10 February 2024.[13]

2 December 2023
15:00

(1 BP) Coventry| 29 – 47| Hartpury University (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Butts Park Arena
Attendance: 3,146
Referee: Jonathan Cook

2 December 2023
15:00

London Scottish| 19 – 17| Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 835
Referee: Luke Pearce

3 December 2023
14:30

(1 BP) Cornish Pirates| 28 – 39| Doncaster Knights (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,286
Referee: Joe James

[14]

Bye/s: Ampthill

### Round 7

[edit]

16 December 2023
13:30

(1 BP) Ampthill| 21 – 26| Caldy (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Dillingham Park
Attendance: 1,276
Referee: Jack Makepeace

16 December 2023
14:00

Cambridge| 19 – 33| Coventry (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Grantchester Road
Attendance: 1,183
Referee: Jonathan Cook

16 December 2023
14:30

(1 BP) Hartpury University| 33 – 31| London Scottish (2 BP)

|
|

| |
ALPAS Arena
Attendance: 743
Referee: Alexander Thomas

16 December 2023
15:00

(1 BP) Bedford Blues| 49 – 24| Nottingham (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,514
Referee: Andrew Wigley

16 December 2023
15:00

Ealing Trailfinders| A – A| Cornish Pirates

|
|

| |
Trailfinders Sports Ground

* Abandoned due to player suffering serious injury. Game to be rescheduled for 10 February 2024.[15]

[16]

Bye/s: Doncaster Knights

### Round 8

[edit]

23 December 2023
13:30

Ampthill| 22 – 31| Bedford Blues (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Dillingham Park
Attendance: 2,837
Referee: Alex Thomas

23 December 2023
14:00

Caldy| 24 – 19| Doncaster Knights (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Paton Field
Attendance: 1,500
Referee: Dan Rhys Jones

23 December 2023
14:30

Cornish Pirates| 14 – 7| Hartpury University (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 2,474
Referee: Joe James

23 December 2023
15:00

(2 BP) London Scottish| 26 – 28| Cambridge (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 520
Referee: Mike Hudson

26 December 2023
15:00

(1 BP) Coventry| 37 – 21| Nottingham

|
|

| |
Butts Park Arena
Attendance: 5,047
Referee: Harry Walbaum

[17][18]

Bye/s: Ealing Trailfinders

### Round 9

[edit]

1 January 2024
13:30

Bedford Blues| 19 – 34| Coventry (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Goldington Road
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Andrew Jackson

12 January 2024
19:45

Nottingham| P – P| London Scottish

|
|

| |
Lady Bay Sports Ground

* Postponed due to severe flooding causing Lady Bay Sports Ground to be closed for the foreseeable future. Game to be rescheduled for 15 March 2024.[19][20]

13 January 2024
14:00

(2 BP) Cambridge| 33 – 40| Cornish Pirates (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Grantchester Road
Attendance: 1,142
Referee: Harry Walbaum

13 January 2024
14:00

Doncaster Knights| 24 – 32| Ampthill (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,826
Referee: Andrew Jackson

13 January 2024
14:30

(1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders| 54 – 28| Caldy (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 750
Referee: Craig Maxwell Keys

[21][22]

Bye/s: Hartpury University

### Round 10

[edit]

20 January 2024
14:00

Ampthill| P – P| Ealing Trailfinders

|
|

| |
Dillingham Park

* Game postponed due to frozen pitch. Game to be rescheduled for 30 March 2024.[23]

20 January 2024
14:00

Caldy| 7 – 31| Hartpury University (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Paton Field
Attendance: 1,245
Referee: Charles Gayther

20 January 2024
14:30

(1 BP) Cornish Pirates| 41 – 12| Nottingham

|
|

| |
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,594
Referee: Hamish Grant

20 January 2024
14:30

Doncaster Knights| 26 – 20| Bedford Blues (2 BP)

|
|

| |
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,916
Referee: Joe James

20 January 2024
15:00

(2 BP) London Scottish| 38 – 40| Coventry (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 811
Referee: Richard Gordon

[24]

Bye/s: Cambridge

### Round 11

[edit]

26 January 2024
19:45

(1 BP) Bedford Blues| 32 – 25| London Scottish

|
|

| |
Goldington Road
Attendance: 3,307
Referee: Hamish Smales

27 January 2024
14:00

(1 BP) Cambridge| 33 – 14| Caldy

|
|

| |
Grantchester Road
Attendance: 1,199
Referee: George Selwood

27 January 2024
14:30

(1 BP) Hartpury University| 54 – 34| Ampthill (1 BP)

|
|

| |
ALPAS Arena
Attendance: 646
Referee: Alex Thomas

27 January 2024
15:00

(1 BP) Coventry| 19 – 21| Cornish Pirates

|
|

| |
Butts Park Arena
Attendance: 4,307
Referee: Joe James

27 January 2024
15:00

(1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders| 49 – 31| Doncaster Knights (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,157
Referee: Dan Rhys Jones

[25]

Bye/s: Nottingham

### Round 12

[edit]

3 February 2024
12:00

(1 BP) Doncaster Knights| 29 – 19| Cambridge

|
|

| |
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,382
Referee: Hamish Grant

3 February 2024
14:00

(2 BP) Ampthill| 36 – 43| Nottingham (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Dillingham Park
Attendance: 523
Referee: Andrew Wigley

3 February 2024
14:00

(1 BP) Caldy| 26 – 22| Coventry (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Paton Field
Attendance: 1,046
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys

3 February 2024
15:00

(1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders| 36 – 20| Hartpury University

|
|

| |
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 745
Referee: Michael Hudson

3 February 2024
16:00

(1 BP) Bedford Blues| 21 – 27| Cornish Pirates

|
|

| |
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,734
Referee: Andrew Jackson

[26]

Bye/s: London Scottish

### Rounds 6 & 7 (rescheduled games)

[edit]

10 February 2024
14:00

(1 BP) Caldy| 22 – 26| Bedford Blues

|
|

| |
Paton Field
Attendance: 895
Referee: Dan Rhys Jones

* Game rescheduled from 2 December 2023.

10 February 2024
15:00

(1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders| 40 – 12| Cornish Pirates

|
|

| |
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 732
Referee: Alexander Thomas

* Game rescheduled from 16 December 2023.

[27]

* * *

### Round 13

[edit]

23 February 2024
19:45

(1 BP) Nottingham| 14 – 20| Doncaster Knights

|
|

| |
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,039
Referee: Alex Thomas

24 February 2024
14:00

Cambridge| 7 – 57| Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Grantchester Road
Attendance: 1,309
Referee: Joe James

24 February 2024
14:30

(1 BP) Coventry| 34 – 6| Ampthill

|
|

| |
Butts Park Arena
Attendance: 2,507
Referee: Dan Rhys Jones

24 February 2024
14:30

(1 BP) Hartpury University| 41 – 35| Bedford Blues (2 BP)

|
|

| |
ALPAS Arena
Attendance: 1,213
Referee: Richard Gordon

24 February 2024
14:30

London Scottish| 33 – 33| Caldy (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 604
Referee: Sara Cox

[28]

Bye/s: Cornish Pirates

### Round 14

[edit]

1 March 2024
19:45

(1 BP) Hartpury University| 61 – 10| Cambridge

|
|

| |
ALPAS Arena
Attendance: 1,312
Referee: Sara Cox

2 March 2024
14:00

(1 BP) Ampthill| 35 – 12| London Scottish

|
|

| |
Dillingham Park
Attendance: 605
Referee: Christophe Ridley

2 March 2024
14:00

Caldy| 14 – 32| Cornish Pirates (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Paton Field
Attendance: 1,024
Referee: Ian Tempest

2 March 2024
14:30

Doncaster Knights| 12 – 27| Coventry

|
|

| |
Castle Park
Attendance: 2,038
Referee: Luke Pearce

2 March 2024
14:30

(1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders| 52 – 26| Nottingham (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Trailfinder Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,560
Referee: Adam Leal

[29]

Bye/s: Bedford Blues

### Round 15

[edit]

8 March 2024
19:45

(1 BP) Nottingham| 0 – 3| Hartpury University

|
|

| |
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,049
Referee: Hamish Grant

9 March 2024
13:00

London Scottish| 20 – 34| Doncaster Knights

|
|

| |
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 481
Referee: Matthew Carley

9 March 2024
14:30

(1 BP) Coventry| 34 – 32| Ealing Trailfinders (2 BP)

|
|

| |
Butts Park Arena
Attendance: 3,182
Referee: Tom Foley

9 March 2024
15:00

Cambridge| 12 – 22| Bedford Blues (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Grantchester Road
Attendance: 1,989
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe

10 March 2024
14:30

(1 BP) Cornish Pirates| 33 – 14| Ampthill

|
|

| |
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,247
Referee: Hamish Grant

[30]

Bye/s: Caldy

### Round 9 (rescheduled game)

[edit]

15 March 2024
19:45

(1 BP) Nottingham| 31 – 28| London Scottish (2 BP)

|
|

| |
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 938
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys

* Game rescheduled from 12 January 2024.

[31]

* * *

### Round 16

[edit]

23 March 2024
14:30

Doncaster Knights| 27 – 27| Cornish Pirates (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Castle Park
Attendance: 2,012
Referee: George Selwood

23 March 2024
14:30

Hartpury University| 17 – 47| Coventry (1 BP)

|
|

| |
ALPAS Arena
Attendance: 1,202
Referee: Dan Rhys Jones

23 March 2024
15:00

(1 BP) Bedford Blues| 27 – 14| Caldy

|
|

| |
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,526
Referee: Hamish Grant

23 March 2024
15:00

(1 BP) Cambridge| 15 – 20| Nottingham

|
|

| |
Grantchester Road
Attendance: 1,434
Referee: Alexander Thomas

23 March 2024
15:00

(1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders| 52 – 35| London Scottish (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,051
Referee: Charles Gayther

[32]

Bye/s: Ampthill

### Round 10 (rescheduled game)

[edit]

30 March 2024
15:00

(1 BP) Ampthill| 29 – 21| Ealing Trailfinders

|
|

| |
Dillingham Park
Attendance: 1,015
Referee: Harry Walbaum

* Game rescheduled from 20 January 2024.

[33]

* * *

### Round 17

[edit]

5 April 2024
19:30

Cornish Pirates| 17 – 26| Ealing Trailfinders

|
|

| |
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,914
Referee: Dan Rhys Jones

5 April 2024
19:45

(1 BP) London Scottish| 29 – 26| Hartpury University (2 BP)

|
|

| |
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 517
Referee: Michael Hudson

5 April 2024
19:45

Nottingham| 24 – 34| Bedford Blues (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,286
Referee: Richard Gordon

5 April 2024
20:00

(1 BP) Coventry| 64 – 12| Cambridge

|
|

| |
Butts Park Arena
Attendance: 2,964
Referee: Hamish Grant

6 April 2024
15:00

Caldy| 20 – 29| Ampthill (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Paton Field
Attendance: 1,021
Referee: Alexander Thomas

[34]

Bye/s: Doncaster Knights

### Round 18

[edit]

13 April 2024
14:30

(1 BP) Hartpury University| 25 – 30| Cornish Pirates (1 BP)

|
|

| |
ALPAS Arena
Attendance: 1,603
Referee: Alex Thomas

13 April 2024
15:00

(2 BP) Bedford Blues| 24 – 29| Ampthill (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Goldington Road
Attendance: 3,711
Referee: Jack Makepeace

13 April 2024
15:00

Cambridge| 13 – 43| London Scottish (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Grantchester Road
Attendance: 2,054
Referee: Richard Gordon

14 April 2024
14:30

(1 BP) Doncaster Knights| 29 – 7| Caldy

|
|

| |
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,594
Referee: Michael Hudson

14 April 2024
15:00

(1 BP) Nottingham| 26 – 52| Coventry (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Lady Bay Sports Meadow
Attendance: 1,303
Referee: Joe James

[35]

Bye/s: Ealing Trailfinders

### Round 19

[edit]

20 April 2024
15:00

(1 BP) Ampthill| 49 – 9| Doncaster Knights

|
|

| |
Dillingham Park
Attendance: 1,028
Referee: George Selwood

20 April 2024
15:00

Caldy| 18 – 49| Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Paton Field
Attendance: 1,254
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys

20 April 2024
15:00

(1 BP) Coventry| 54 – 19| Bedford Blues

|
|

| |
Butts Park Arena
Attendance: 3,781
Referee: Harry Walbaum

20 April 2024
15:00

(1 BP) London Scottish| 45 – 27| Nottingham (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 814
Referee: Jonathan Cook

21 April 2024
14:30

(1 BP) Cornish Pirates| 45 – 18| Cambridge

|
|

| |
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,414
Referee: Andrew Wigley

[36]

Bye/s: Hartpury University

### Round 20

[edit]

3 May 2024
19:45

Nottingham| 7 – 29| Cornish Pirates (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,150
Referee: Hamish Grant

3 May 2024
20:00

(1 BP) Coventry| 27 – 14| London Scottish

|
|

| |
Butts Park Arena
Attendance: 2,771
Referee: Joe James

4 May 2024
14:30

(1 BP) Hartpury University| 57 – 36| Caldy (1 BP)

|
|

| |
ALPAS Arena
Attendance: 670
Referee: Dan Rhys Jones

4 May 2024
15:00

(1 BP) Bedford Blues| 32 – 29| Doncaster Knights (2 BP)

|
|

| |
Goldington Road
Attendance: 3,037
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys

4 May 2024
15:00

(1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders| 57 – 14| Ampthill

|
|

| |
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,156
Referee: Sara Cox

[37]

Bye/s: Cambridge

### Round 21

[edit]

11 May 2024
14:30

Cornish Pirates| 22 – 12| Coventry

|
|

| |
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 2,302
Referee: Harry Walbaum

11 May 2024
14:30

Doncaster Knights| 20 – 12| Ealing Trailfinders

|
|

| |
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,552
Referee: Alex Thomas

* Ealing Trailfinders are champions.[2]

11 May 2024
15:00

(1 BP) Ampthill| 36 – 44| Hartpury University (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Dillingham Park
Attendance: 997
Referee: Simon Harding

11 May 2024
15:00

(1 BP) Caldy| 31 – 28| Cambridge (2 BP)

|
|

| |
Paton Field
Attendance: 1,295
Referee: Andrew Jackson

11 May 2024
15:00

(2 BP) London Scottish| 31 – 34| Bedford Blues (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,053
Referee: Richard Gordon

[38]

Bye/s: Nottingham

### Round 22

[edit]

24 May 2024
19:45

(1 BP) Nottingham| 28 – 8| Caldy

|
|

| |
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,417
Referee: Andrew Wigley

25 May 2024
14:30

(1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders| 59 – 12| Bedford Blues

|
|

| |
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 2,155
Referee: Harry Walbaum

25 May 2024
14:30

(1 BP) Hartpury University| 43 – 14| Doncaster Knights

|
|

| |
ALPAS Arena
Attendance: 720
Referee: Jonathan Cook

25 May 2024
15:00

(1 BP) Cambridge| 28 – 37| Ampthill (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Grantchester Road
Attendance: 1,489
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys

25 May 2024
15:00

(1 BP) London Scottish| 28 – 37| Cornish Pirates (1 BP)

|
|

| |
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 924
Referee: Simon Harding

[39]

Bye/s: Coventry

## Attendances

[edit]

Club  | Home
Games  | Total  | Average  | Highest  | Lowest  | % Capacity

|
|
|
|
|
|

Ampthill | 10 | 10,598 | 1,060 | 2,837 | 523 | 35%
Bedford Blues | 10 | 30,621 | 3,062 | 5,000 | 2,380 | 61%
Caldy | 10 | 11,816 | 1,182 | 1,500 | 895 | 30%
Cambridge | 10 | 14,192 | 1,419 | 2,054 | 1,085 | 65%
Cornish Pirates | 10 | 16,242 | 1,624 | 2,474 | 1,143 | 41%
Coventry | 10 | 33,733 | 3,373 | 5,047 | 2,507 | 65%
Doncaster Knights | 10 | 18,512 | 1,851 | 2,264 | 1,382 | 36%
Ealing Trailfinders | 10 | 11,354 | 1,135 | 2,155 | 732 | 23%
Hartpury | 10 | 9,340 | 934 | 1,603 | 486 | 47%
London Scottish | 10 | 7,322 | 732 | 1,053 | 481 | 16%
Nottingham | 10 | 11,612 | 1,161 | 1,417 | 938 | 33%

## 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]

As of 25 May 2024

Source: [39]

| Rank  | Player  | Club  | Points

|
|
|

1 |  Patrick Pellegrini | Coventry | 184
2 |  Harry Bazalgette | Hartpury | 181
3 |  Craig Willis | Ealing Trailfinders | 144
4 |  Will Maisey | Bedford Blues | 138
5 |  Russell Bennett | Doncaster Knights | 115
6 |  Gwyn Parks | Ampthill | 105
7 |  Bruce Houston | Cornish Pirates | 101
8 |  Alec Lloyd-Seed | London Scottish | 85
9 |  Matt Cornish | Ealing Trailfinders | 80

### Most tries

[edit]

As of 25 May 2024

Source: [39]

| Rank  | Player  | Club  | Tries

|
|
|

1 |  Matt Cornish | Ealing Trailfinders | 16
2 |  Seán French | Bedford Blues | 15
James Martin | Coventry
3 |  Brandon Jackson-Richards | Ampthill | 14
4 |  Dean Adamson | Bedford Blues | 13
5 |  Tobias Elliot | Ampthill | 12
Matt Gallagher | Caldy
Ryan Hutler | Coventry
William Wand | Coventry
David Williams | Nottingham

## See also

[edit]

* 2023–24 Premiership Rugby
* 2023–24 Premiership Rugby Cup

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Jersey Reds' financial challenges lead to club ceasing trading". Jersey Reds. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
2. ^ a b "Doncaster win the battle but Ealing are champions". The RugbyPaper. No. 817\. 12 May 2024. p. 22-23.
3. ^ "Doncaster Knights has met the Minimum Standards Criteria for promotion". Championship Rugby. 20 March 2024.
4. ^ "Cambridge Rugby Club celebrate being crowned National League 1 champions and a place in the RFU Championship after Birmingham Moseley victory". Cambridge Independent. 2023-04-29. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
5. ^ "A right mess entirely of the RFU's making". The RugbyPaper. No. 703\. 6 March 2022. p. 11.
6. ^ "2023/24 FIXTURES ANNOUNCED". Championship Rugby. 29 June 2023.
7. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 788\. 22 October 2023. p. 32-33, 39.
8. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 789\. 29 October 2023. p. 36-37, 41.
9. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 790\. 5 November 2023. p. 28-29, 38.
10. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 791\. 12 November 2023. p. 20, 34.
11. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 792\. 19 November 2023. p. 28-29, 38.
12. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 793\. 26 November 2023. p. 24-25, 36.
13. ^ "OFFICIAL STATEMENT- CALDY V BEDFORD BLUES". Caldy Rugby Club. 2023-12-02. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
14. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 794\. 3 December 2023. p. 24-25, 36.
15. ^ "MATCH POSTPONED - EALING TRAILFINDERS V CORNISH PIRATES". Ealing Trailfinders. 16 December 2023.
16. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 796\. 17 December 2023. p. 22-23, 40.
17. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 797\. 24 December 2023. p. 22-23, 28.
18. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 798\. 27 December 2023. p. 30-31, 38.
19. ^ "MATCH POSTPONED!". Nottingham Rugby. 8 January 2024.
20. ^ "NOTTINGHAM RUGBY NEEDS YOUR HELP AT A VERY DIFFICULT TIME". Nottingham Rugby. 8 January 2024.
21. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 799\. 7 January 2024. p. 14, 32.
22. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 800\. 14 January 2024. p. 22-23, 40.
23. ^ "MATCH POSTPONED - AMPTHILL V EALING TRAILFINDERS". Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club. 20 January 2024.
24. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 801\. 21 January 2024. p. 24-25, 36.
25. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 802\. 28 January 2024. p. 16-17, 40.
26. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 803\. 4 February 2024. p. 26-27, 40.
27. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 804\. 11 February 2024. p. 26, 40.
28. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 806\. 25 February 2024. p. 20-21, 40.
29. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 807\. 3 March 2024. p. 14-15, 32.
30. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 808\. 10 March 2024. p. 18-19, 40.
31. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 809\. 17 March 2024. p. 18, 40.
32. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 810\. 24 March 2024. p. 20-21, 40.
33. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 811\. 31 March 2024. p. 24, 34.
34. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 812\. 7 April 2024. p. 20-21, 40.
35. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 813\. 14 April 2024. p. 20-21, 40.
36. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 814\. 21 April 2024. p. 24-25, 35.
37. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 816\. 5 May 2024. p. 16-17, 32.
38. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 817\. 12 May 2024. p. 22-23, 32.
39. ^ a b c "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 819\. 26 May 2024. p. 16-17, 38.

* v
* t
* e

RFU Championship

2024–25 teams|

* Ampthill
* Bedford Blues
* Caldy
* Cambridge
* Chinnor
* Cornish Pirates
* Coventry
* Doncaster Knights
* Ealing Trailfinders
* Hartpury University
* London Scottish
* Nottingham

Former clubs|

* Birmingham-Solihull
* Blackheath
* Bracknell
* Bristol Bears
* Cornish All Blacks
* Esher
* Exeter Chiefs
* Fylde
* Gosforth
* Harlequins
* Henley
* Jersey Reds
* Liverpool St Helens
* London Irish
* London Welsh
* Manchester
* Morley
* Moseley
* Newbury
* Newcastle Falcons
* Northampton Saints
* Orrell
* Otley
* Plymouth Albion
* Richmond
* Rosslyn Park
* Rotherham Titans
* Rugby Lions
* Sale Sharks
* Saracens
* Sedgley Park
* Wakefield
* Waterloo
* West Hartlepool
* Worcester Warriors
* Yorkshire Carnegie

Seasons|

| National Division Two|

* 1987–88
* 1988–89
* 1989–90
* 1990–91
* 1991–92
* 1992–93
* 1993–94
* 1994–95
* 1995–96
* 1996–97

|

Premiership Two|

* 1997–98
* 1998–99
* 1999–00

National Division One|

* 2000–01
* 2001–02
* 2002–03
* 2003–04
* 2004–05
* 2005–06
* 2006–07
* 2007–08
* 2008–09

Championship|

* 2009–10
* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* 2024–25

RFU Championship Cup|

* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* ~~2020–21~~
* 2021–22
* 2022–23

Premiership Rugby Cup|

* 2023–24
* 2024–25

Representative team|

* RFU Championship XV

* v
* t
* e

RFU Championship venues 2024–25

Current grounds|

* ALPAS Arena
* Athletic Ground, Richmond
* Butts Park Arena
* Castle Park
* Dillingham Park
* Kingsey Road
* Goldington Road
* Grantchester Road
* Lady Bay Sports Ground
* The Menaye
* Paton Field
* Trailfinders Sports Ground

Previous grounds|

* Abbeydale Park
* Ashton Gate
* The Avenue
* Beacon Park (Plymouth)
* Billesley Common
* Bramley Sports Ground (Southgate)
* Brantingham Park (Hull Ionians R.U.F.C.)
* Brickfields
* Bridge Road (Headingley)
* Brierton Lane (Hartlepool)
* Bournbrook
* Clifton Lane
* College Grove
* Copthall Stadium
* Coundon Road
* County Ground (Exeter)
* Cross Green
* Damson Park
* Dry Leas
* Franklin's Gardens
* Grove Park
* Headingley
* Heywood Road
* Ireland Avenue
* Kassam Stadium
* Kingston Park
* Kenwyn
* Lily Hill Park
* Madejski Stadium
* Meadow Lane
* Memorial Stadium
* Molesey Road
* Moss Lane (St Helens)
* New Ground (Gosforth)
* Old Deer Park
* Priory Lane (Roehampton)
* Recreation Ground (Camborne)
* The Reddings
* Rectory Field
* Sandy Park
* Scatcherd Lane (Morley)
* Sharmans Cross
* Sixways Stadium
* St Anthony's Road (Blundellsands)
* Stade Santander International
* The Sycamores (West Park Leeds RUFC)
* Twickenham Stoop
* Webb Ellis Road
* Wharfeside Avenue (Threshfield)

* v
* t
* e

Rugby union in England

Governing body|

* Rugby Football Union
* Rugby Football Union for Women (merged into the RFU)

National teams|

| Men's|

* England
* England A
* 7's
* U-21
* U-20
* U-18
* British & Irish Lions
* England Counties XV

|

Women's|

* Women's
* 7's

International competitions|

| Men's|

* World Cup
* Six Nations
* Rugby World Cup Sevens
* Sevens World Series
* Sevens Grand Prix Series
* Commonwealth Games

|

Women's|

* World Cup
* Six Nations
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Competition divisions|

| Men's|

* Premiership
* Championship
* National Leagues
* London and SE Division
* Northern Division
* Midland Division
* South West Division
* United Hospitals Cup

|

Women's|

* Premiership Women's Rugby

European competitions|

* European Rugby Champions Cup
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National competitions|

* Premiership Rugby
* Premiership Cup
* RFU Championship
* Championship Cup
* National League 1
* National League 2 East
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* RFU Intermediate Cup
* RFU Senior Vase
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* Premiership Rugby Sevens Series
* Women's Premiership
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London and South East
competitions|

* Regional 1 South East
* Regional 1 South Central
* Regional 2 Anglia
* Regional 2 South Central
* Regional 2 South East
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* London 1 North
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* London 2 North West
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* London 3 North West
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* Counties 2 Eastern Counties
* London 3 Essex
* Eastern Counties 1
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* Eastern Counties 3
* Counties 2 Essex
* Counties 2 Hampshire
* Counties 3 Hampshire
* Counties 4 Hampshire
* Hampshire Cups
* Counties 1 Herts/Middlesex
* Herts/Middlesex 2
* Hertfordshire Cups
* Middlesex Cups
* Counties 3 Kent
* Counties 4 Kent
* Counties 5 Kent
* Kent Cups
* Counties 1 Surrey/Sussex
* Counties 2 Surrey
* Counties 3 Surrey
* Counties 4 Surrey
* Counties 5 Surrey
* Surrey Cups
* Counties 2 Sussex
* Sussex 1
* Sussex Cups

Midland competitions|

* Regional 1 Midlands
* Regional 2 North Midlands
* Regional 2 West Midlands
* Regional 2 East Midlands
* Counties 1 Midlands West (North)
* Counties 1 Midlands West (South)
* Midlands 2 East (North)
* Midlands 2 East (South)
* Midlands 3 West (North)
* Midlands 3 West (South)
* Midlands 3 East (North)
* Midlands 3 East (South)
* Midlands 4 West (North)
* Midlands 4 West (South)
* Midlands 4 East (North)
* Midlands 4 East (South)
* Midlands 5 West (South)
* Leicestershire Cups
* North Midlands Cups
* Staffordshire Cups
* Warwickshire Cups

Northern competitions|

* Regional 1 North East
* Regional 1 North West
* Regional 2 North
* Regional 2 North East
* Regional 2 North West
* North 1 East
* North 1 West
* North 2 West
* Counties 1 ADM Lancashire & Cheshire
* Lancs/Cheshire 1
* Lancs/Cheshire 2
* Cheshire Cups
* Lancashire Cups
* Counties 1 Cumbria
* Cumbria Cups
* Counties 1 Durham & Northumberland
* Counties 2 Durham & Northumberland
* Counties 3 Durham & Northumberland
* Durham Cups
* Northumberland Cups
* Counties 1 Yorkshire
* Counties 2 Yorkshire
* Counties 3 Yorkshire
* Counties 4 Yorkshire
* Yorkshire Cups

South West competitions|

* Regional 1 South West
* Regional 2 Severn
* Regional 2 South West
* Counties 1 Southern North
* Counties 1 Southern South
* Counties 1 Western North
* Counties 1 Western West
* Counties 2 Cornwall
* Counties 3 Cornwall
* Cornwall Cups
* Counties 2 Devon
* Counties 3 Devon East
* Counties 3 Devon West
* Devon Cups
* Gloucester Premier
* Gloucester 1
* Gloucester 2 North
* Gloucester 2 South
* Gloucestershire Cups
* Counties 2 Somerset
* Somerset 1
* Somerset 2 North
* Somerset 2 South
* Somerset 3 North
* Somerset 3 South
* Somerset Cups
* Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier
* Oxfordshire Cups
* Dorset & Wilts 1 North
* Dorset & Wilts 1 South
* Dorset & Wilts 2 North
* Dorset & Wilts 2 South
* Dorset & Wilts 3 North

County competitions|

* Division 1
* Division 2
* Division 3

Discontinued competitions|

* Anglo-Welsh Cup
* Cornwall/Devon League
* Divisional Championship
* National League 2 South
* North Premier
* RFU Knockout Cup
* South West 1 East

Related articles|

* International players
* Clubs
* Churchill Cup
* Calcutta Cup
* Millennium Trophy
* Ella-Mobbs Trophy
* Hillary Shield

Other|

* English rugby union system
* Timeline of rugby union on UK television

*[Pos]: Position
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[Pld]: Matches played
*[W]: Matches won
*[D]: Matches drawn
*[L]: Matches lost
*[PF]: Match points for
*[PA]: Match points against
*[PD]: Match points difference
*[TB]: Try bonus competition points
*[LB]: Losing bonus competition points
*[Pts]: Total competition points