RFU Championship–new format

Posted on May 21, 2012 in Championship

Following a period of consultation between the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and the Championship Clubs Committee, both parties are pleased to announce a new RFU Championship structure for season 2012-13.

Now in its third year, the RFU Championship currently adopts a two stage structure with a twenty-two round league season, followed by promotion and relegation play-offs.

The 2009-10 season saw Exeter Chiefs lift the inaugural trophy after topping their play-off group and winning the two legged final. Worcester Warriors enjoyed the same success last season, beating Cornish Pirates to return to the Aviva Premiership.

The agreed structure is designed to deliver optimum home games while continuing to provide an exciting season climax for Championship supporters.

The revised structure, which has been approved by the RFU Board, sees the 12 clubs compete in a league season across 22 rounds, with the bottom club relegated to SSE National League 1 and the top four clubs going on to compete in a two-legged semi-final and final. The winners of the semi-finals will go on to play in the RFU Championship final – also two legs.

The new structure will provide 11 home games for the Championship clubs and a minimum of six games in the revised British & Irish Cup.

The cross border competition will now run across nine weeks with six pool rounds, concluded by three weeks of knock-out stages (quarter-final, semi-final and final).

Rob Andrew, Professional Rugby Director of the RFU commented:

“Following consultation with the Championship Clubs Committee, we have come to a revised structure that meets with the approval of the clubs and the RFU Board.

“The reduction from an eight team promotion play-off to four will ultimately reward those clubs who best perform across the season, whilst encouraging a hugely competitive league to reach the top four.

“The amended structure also shows a further commitment to the British & Irish Cup which will include six pool matches played on a similar format to ERC competitions.

“The structure of the Championship has always been determined with the club’s input and agreement and this continues to be the case as we revise the competition for next season.  I would personally like to thank all the Championship clubs for their input into the new structure.”

Geoff Irvine, Chairman of the Championship Clubs, said:

"The clubs believe these changes will improve the competition, providing quality rather than quantity of fixtures. It should also help with congestion of fixtures which results in player welfare issues.

“The clubs are excited by the changes in the British & Irish Cup and believe that removing the playoff pools in the Championship will enable them to compete more vigorously in the Cup.”

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Gulliver and Armes sign for Bedford Blues

Posted on May 17, 2012 in Bedford

Bedford Blues have signed two Premiership stars for the 2012/13 Championship season – and both will be familiar names to the Goldington Road faithful.

After one season with Worcester Warriors, Ben Gulliver, who previously played for the Cornish Pirates, Plymouth and Coventry as well as a loan spell with Leicester Tigers, is making the move from Sixways.

Gulliver, 30, who stands at six foot five inches tall and weighs in at almost 17 and a half stone will add some much needed fire power and experience to the Blues second row.

Adding a bit of weight in the back row department will be former Bedford Blues Academy player Tom Armes who returns to Goldington Road after a four year stint with Leister Tigers.

Armes, who can play anywhere across the back row, was signed to the Leicester Academy and played in the ‘A’ League with Tigers before making his debut as a replacement in the Premiership win over Northampton in October 2009 followed up a week later by coming off the bench in the historic win over the then world champions South Africa.

The 21-year-old spent time with Championship rivals Nottingham during the 2010/11 season to gain some valuable game time but returns to his roots with a permanent move to Goldington Road.

Blues Director of Rugby Mike Rayer said: “I am thrilled to be able to welcome Ben and Tom to Goldington Road and I think everyone will be excited to see them in action for the Blues next season.

“We all know just how important a player Ben was for the Pirates and how influential he was down in the West Country. I have no doubts that after a stint in the Premiership, he will be fired up and raring to get going for us next term.

“Tom is a fantastic talent who we all know really well and I’m sure he will slot in perfectly within our back row. Tom headed off to Leicester with our best wishes but we are now delighted to welcome him back and I’m certain it won’t take long to get back into the swing of things.”

Jones respectful of Pirates threat

Posted on May 16, 2012 in London Welsh

If London Welsh are to win the Championship they’ll have to do something they haven’t managed all season, beat the Cornish Pirates.

The two games between the sides in the regular season produced a comfortable win for the Pirates at Mennaye Field, while three late Alex Davies penalties salvaged a 17-17 draw for Welsh at Old Deer Park.

Of course, the Pirates also came out on top, 18-10, in last year’s one-off semi-final at Mennaye Field.

“The Cornish Pirates are a very good side,” said Jones. “They don’t rely on any particular type of rugby or strength, they’ve got the ability to play all types of rugby and I would be very respectful of that.

“That’s what you’ve got to have. To have a sniff of going up you’ve got to be able to pay all types of rugby.

“They’ve got a good kicking full back, they’ve a very sound organised pack of forwards and they finished third and we finished fourth in the regular season.

“But throughout the season both teams have grown and we’re really looking forward to an opportunity to show ourselves at the highest level in this league.

“From where we were in September to where we are now is chalk and cheese. We’re a confident side with the ability to play a bit of football, and just like the Cornish Pirates we can also play all types of games as and when it suits.”

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Bedford Blues bid farewell to eight players

Posted on May 15, 2012 in Bedford

Bedford Blues have announced they will be parting company with eight players following the club’s failure to win the Championship.

Currently there are eight members of the squad who will be leaving Goldington Road this week and all go with the best wishes of the Board of Directors, coaches and fans.

After four seasons with the Blues, prop Sam Walsh is heading off to pastures new as is fellow front row compatriot Nico Steenkamp. The Blues will also be bidding a fond farewell to three second row forwards in Sean Tomes, Sam Pailor and Billy Johnson.

In the backs, fly half Jamie Lennard has put pen to paper on a deal to take him back to Doncaster Knights where he played before joining Premiership outfit London Irish while wingers Handre Schmidt and Dave Vincent are also leaving the Blues this summer.

Speaking about the departures, Blues Director of Rugby Mike Rayer said: “We’ve enjoyed a fine season and everyone is disappointed to have fallen at the semi-final stage as we pushed for the Championship title.

“All of the players who are leaving us were an important part of the team that did so well this season but we have identified some areas that we need to change and unfortunately it means that we have to say goodbye to some familiar faces.

“On behalf of all the coaches, directors and the fans, I want to say a big thank you to all of the lads for their hard work and dedication during their time with us and we wish them all the best for the future.

“Looking ahead to next season I can confirm that we have identified four players who we are in negotiations with, 17 players have already re-signed, a couple more have agreed new deals in principle and we are waiting to hear back from a few more. All-in-all things are looking very bright for the 2012/13 campaign and we will have more news shortly.”

Scott hails Welsh ‘heart’ as Exiles reach Championship final

Posted on May 14, 2012 in London Welsh

London Welsh try scorer Nick Scott (pictured) hailed the Exiles’ “heart” after a gutsy defensive effort propelled the Old Deer Park outfit into their first-ever Championship final.

It’s was Scott’s second half try that proved the difference as Welsh lost the 2nd leg of their Championship semi-final with Bedford Blues 24-17, but took the tie 30-27 overall.

“It feels amazing; all the boys put in a monumental effort in defence, so much heart and so much grit,” said Scott. “It’s what the club deserves and has been building towards.

“There was so much heart in that performance, everyone put it in. I’m just glad we’re going to the final for the first time.”

Scott pounced for his sixth try in ten appearances for the Exiles since joining the club on loan from Bath, when he chased down Gordon Ross’ kick and capitalised on a mistake by Blues centre Henry Staff.

“I wasn’t getting much ball in hand, so I just chased hard. A kick is only as good as the chase. I got a bit of luck, but I’ll take that every day,” he said.

“You’ve just got to put the pressure on and you never know what’s going to happen. That will probably happen maybe one in ten times, but as long as you keep putting yourself in that position that one time is beautiful.

“I was getting a bit worried. Last weekend I had the ball slapped out of my hand as I was going over. I was so glad to get back on the score sheet.”
Scott’s try and an Alex Davies penalty saw Welsh open up a 30-13 lead on aggregate, but there would be late drama at Old Deer Park as tries from Don Barrell and Neil Cochrane – the latter after what looked like a clear knock on by Alex Rae – reduced the gap to just three points with eight minutes to go.

“We all thought it was a knock on, so credit to the boys for coming back from that,” said Scott.

“The momentum was with Bedford but we stopped that, we got a few penalties, we put it in their half and came away with the win.”