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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Confidence in Crane as winger re-signs

Posted on May 18, 2012 in Nottingham

In one scintillating passage of play winger Rhys Crane earned a contract extension with Nottingham.

The 26-year-old is the first player to pen a new deal with the Green and Whites for the 2012/13 RFU Championship, adding to the 13 players already contracted for the new campaign.

Despite enduring a nightmare season, which amounted to three cameo appearances and more than 13 months on the sidelines with injury, Crane’s potential could not be ignored.

From little more than 100 minutes of game time, between recovering from knee surgery, a broken jaw, a debut lasting just 30 seconds and a career-first red card, he still found time to convince Nottingham Director of Rugby Glenn Delaney to re-sign him.

It was his explosive impact off the bench against London Welsh in the final match of the season, putting on a big hit to win possession before crossing for a try with his first touch of the ball, which sealed it.

“He earned his contract off the bench that day. He showed us exactly what he is about, adding energy and enthusiasm to the game at a time that it was lacking on the pitch,” Delaney said.

“He showed fantastic desire to play for this club, his attitude, application and potential is everything we look for in a player.

“He is clearly a talented player who had a horrendous season with injury. That broken jaw that took him out against Esher in December isn’t the sort of start anyone wanted for him.”

With a thorough understanding of Crane’s recent injuries, Delaney didn’t hesitate in signing the athletic back.

“He is no more of a risk than any other player, he proved his fitness at the end of last season and has put those knee problems behind him,” Delaney said.

“We are not worried about what’s happened in the past, we are only concerned about what he can do for us in the future.”

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Scotland International Phil Godman Signs For London Scottish

Posted on May 18, 2012 in Edinburgh, London Scottish

Phil Godman, capped 23 times by Scotland, has signed for London Scottish from Edinburgh Rugby.

The 29 year old Edinburgh born fly half has also represented Scotland at U18, U19 and U21 level before winning his first cap for the senior international side against Romania in June 2005.

He made his RBS Six Nations debut against Wales at Murrayfield in February 2007.

Godman captained Merchiston Castle School to victory in the Scottish Schools Cup in 2000 before signing a professional contract with Newcastle Falcons. He moved to Edinburgh Rugby from Newcastle in 2004.

Godman: “I’m excited to be joining a club with such a prestigious history. Obviously, with its Scottish heritage, it was a definite attraction for me. After a few injuries recently, I’m looking forward to kick-starting my career and getting on the pitch for London Scottish.”

Director of Rugby Simon Amor is excited about the signing of Godman as the club continues its search for Scottish talent, with Godman being the third Scot signed by the club this month.

Amor: “A core part of the London Scottish philosophy is always being on the lookout for Scottish talent. The signing of Phil’s calibre not only fits into this philosophy, but his quality shows the ambitions of the club as we prepare for a second year in the Championship.”

Amor also believes Godman’s experience can only benefit players such as young fly half Dan Mugford.

Amor: “I’m hugely excited. Dan is an exciting young talent, proven with his accolades this season as top try scorer, top points scorer and voted the Supporters Player of the Season. Having two excellent fly halves at the club can only benefit us and Dan will learn a lot from Phil. This fits in with our philosophy of developing younger players who have the potential to play at the highest level.”

Mallinder signs new contract with the Saints

Posted on May 17, 2012 in Northampton

Northampton Saints today announced that director of rugby Jim Mallinder has signed a new contract with the club, which will extend his tenure at Franklin’s Gardens until at least 2015.

In just five short years Mallinder has taken the Saints from the pain of relegation to being considered one of the top clubs in Aviva Premiership Rugby and in the Heineken Cup.

Indeed the club has not enjoyed such consistent levels of success – four trophies; five finals in five years, including the 2011 Heineken Cup final; and three successive Aviva Premiership Rugby semi-finals – since the 1950s and 60s.

Individuals have also flourished under the Yorkshireman’s guidance, with a modern-day record of eight players chosen in England’s 2012 Six Nations Elite Player Squad and no fewer than six England regulars having made their international debut since joining the club.

Mallinder has also rejuvenated the Saints Academy, appointing Dusty Hare to manage a production line which is now providing the first team squad with a steady stream of exciting young and talented players.

Already Aviva Premiership Rugby’s longest-serving current director of rugby, by the end of his new contract Mallinder will have been in charge of the team at Franklin’s Gardens for eight years, stability which chairman Leon Barwell says is vitally important for the continued growth and development of the club.

“Jim signing his new contract is terrific news for the club and underpins our aspirations for the future,” he said. “As we see so often in sports across the world having continuity of management is crucial in a club’s long-term success, and this is exactly what Jim brings to the Saints.

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Exiles confirm Oxford as the venue for the final

Posted on May 15, 2012 in London Welsh

London Welsh RFC have announced that the Kassam Stadium, Oxford, will be the venue for the ‘Home’ leg of their Championship Final against Cornish Pirates on May 30th.

Pirates will host the first leg – venue to be confirmed – on May 23rd. Both games will be televised on Sky Sports and both will kick-off at 7.45pm.

London Welsh have taken this opportunity to showcase the Kassam Stadium because it is one of the grounds where the club could play next season if they are promoted to the Aviva Premiership.

It is the home of Oxford United F.C. but the stadium was always designed for rugby as well as football. It offers high quality playing and spectator facilities plus excellent floodlighting which was a factor in the club’s decision.

London Welsh will be making special travel arrangements for its loyal band of supporters – full details will be announced in due course