2014–15 RFU Championship

The 2014–15 RFU Championship, known for sponsorship reasons as the Greene King IPA Championship, is the sixth 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 is the second year of the competition's sponsorship with Greene King Brewery, which runs until 2017.[1] The twelve teams in the RFU Championship also competed in the British and Irish Cup, along with clubs from Ireland and Wales.[2] Matches in the RFU Championship were broadcast on Sky Sports.

2014–15 RFU Championship
Countries England
 Jersey
Date5 September 2014 – 27 May 2015
ChampionsWorcester Warriors
Runners-upBristol
RelegatedPlymouth Albion
Matches played138
Attendance377,794
(average 2,738 per match)
Highest attendance12,024 Worcester Warriors at home to Bristol on 27 May 2015
Lowest attendance631 Moseley at home to London Scottish on 8 November 2014
Top point scorerScotland Dougie Flockhart
(Doncaster Knights) 229 points
Top try scorerNew Zealand Mark Bright
(London Scottish) 26 tries

Worcester Warriors finished second during the regular season and became champions after beating Bristol 59 – 58 in the two-legged final. The Warriors overcame third-place London Scottish in the semifinal play-off, while Bristol (who finished first in the league table) beat fourth-place Rotherham Titans in the other semi-final. After thirteen seasons in the second tier of English rugby union, Plymouth Albion are relegated to the 2015–16 National League 1 for next season, after finishing in last place.[3]

Structure

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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.[4] 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 Premiership. If they fail to meet the criteria then there is no promotion.[5] There are no relegation play–offs; the bottom team is automatically relegated.[4] Following an agreement with the RFU in 2012, each RFU Championship club will receive £365,000 in funding from the RFU for the season.[6]

Participating teams and locations

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Ten of the teams that competed in the 2013–14 RFU Championship remain in the competition for the 2014–15 RFU Championship. London Welsh were promoted back into the English Premiership after defeating Bristol in the play-off final after being relegated into the RFU Championship the previous year.[7] They are replaced by Worcester Warriors after they were relegated to the RFU Championship after finishing last in the 2013–14 English Premiership.[8] Ealing Trailfinders were relegated into National League 1 after finishing bottom of the 2013–14 RFU Championship by one point.[9] They are replaced by Doncaster Knights, who returned to the RFU Championship at the first opportunity by finishing top of the 2013–14 National League 1 after being relegated in 2013.[10] This was the first time that a relegated team returned to the RFU Championship after being relegated the previous season since the RFU Championship was formed.[10]

Below is a list of the teams participating in the 2014–15 RFU Championship.[7][8][9][10][11][12]

Club Stadium Capacity Area Captain DOR/Head Coach
Bedford Blues Goldington Road 6,000 Bedford, Bedfordshire   Nick Fenton-Wells   Mike Rayner
Bristol Ashton Gate Stadium 21,497 Bristol   Dwayne Peel   Andy Robinson
Cornish Pirates Mennaye Field 4,000 (2,200 Seats) Penzance, Cornwall   Chris Morgan   Ian Davies
Doncaster Knights Castle Park rugby stadium 5,000 Doncaster, South Yorkshire   Michael Hills   Clive Griffiths
Jersey St. Peter 5,000 Saint Peter, Jersey   Alex Rae   Harvey Biljon
London Scottish Athletic Ground, Richmond 4,500 Richmond, London   Mark Bright   Mike Friday
Moseley Billesley Common 3,000+ Birmingham, West Midlands   Mike Powell   Kevin Maggs
Nottingham Rugby Meadow Lane
Lady Bay Sports Ground
19,588
2,000 (est)
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire   Brent Wilson   Martin Haag
Plymouth Albion The Brickfields 8,500 Plymouth, Devon   Iain Grieve   Graham Dawe
Rotherham Titans Clifton Lane
Abbeydale Park[n 1]
2,500
3,200
Rotherham, South Yorkshire
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
  Tom Holmes   Lee Blackett
Worcester Warriors Sixways Stadium 12,024 Worcester, Worcestershire   GJ van Velze   Dean Ryan
Yorkshire Carnegie Headingley Carnegie Stadium 21,062 Leeds, West Yorkshire   Ryan Burrows   Ian McGeechan
  1. ^ Rotherham would have to play their final league game and any play-off games at Abbeydale Park in Sheffield due to a dispute with Rotherham Cricket Club over ground sharing at Clifton Lane.[13][14]

League table

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2014–15 RFU Championship Table
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Bristol (F) 22 21 0 1 774 399 +375 18 1 103 Promotion play-off
2 Worcester Warriors (W) 22 19 0 3 858 335 +523 18 3 97
3 London Scottish (SF) 22 12 2 8 534 498 +36 10 2 64
4 Rotherham Titans (SF) 22 13 1 8 505 488 +17 5 2 61
5 Nottingham 22 12 0 10 461 578 −117 5 3 56
6 Yorkshire Carnegie 22 10 1 11 494 462 +32 7 5 54
7 Jersey 22 8 2 12 495 621 −126 5 7 48
8 Cornish Pirates 22 9 0 13 436 464 −28 4 5 45
9 Doncaster Knights 22 8 1 13 429 481 −52 3 6 43
10 Bedford Blues 22 7 0 15 433 604 −171 6 4 38
11 Moseley 22 5 1 16 441 637 −196 4 5 31
12 Plymouth Albion (R) 22 3 2 17 314 630 −316 1 5 22 Relegation
Updated to match(es) played on 5 July 2015. Source: "Greene King IPA Championship". NCA 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

Fixtures

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Round 1

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6 September 2014
14:30
Doncaster Knights27–6Plymouth Albion
Doncaster
Plymouth
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,303
Referee: Steve Lee
6 September 2014
15:00
(BP) London Scottish32–23Rotherham Titans
Scottish
Rotherham
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,087
Referee: Greg MacDonald
6 September 2014
15:00
Moseley22–22Jersey
Moseley
Jersey
Billesley
Attendance: 976
Referee: Thomas Foley
6 September 2014
15:00
Nottingham Rugby19–10Bedford Blues
Nottingham
Bedford
Meadow Lane
Attendance: 1,239
Referee: John Meredith
7 September 2014
14:40
Bristol Rugby23–19Worcester Warriors (BP)
Bristol
Worcester
Ashton Gate
Attendance: 8,549
Referee: Matt Carley
7 September 2014
15:00
Cornish Pirates18–29Yorkshire Carnegie (BP)
Pirates
Carnegie[usurped]
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,324
Referee: Simon Harding

[15]


Round 2

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13 September 2014
14:00
Bedford Blues15–42Rotherham Titans (BP)
Bedford
Rotherham
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,117
Referee: Steve Lee
13 September 2014
15:00
(BP) Jersey17–23Doncaster Knights
Jersey
Doncaster
St Peter
Attendance: 1,914
Referee: Darren Gamage
13 September 2014
15:00
(BP) Plymouth Albion17–24Nottingham Rugby (BP)
report
The Brickfields
Attendance: 1,232
Referee: Dean Richards
13 September 2014
15:00
Worcester Warriors23–7Moseley
Worcester
Moseley
Sixways Stadium
Attendance: 4,376
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
14 September 2014
14:30
Yorkshire Carnegie13–26Bristol Rugby
report
Headingley Stadium
Attendance: 2,022
Referee: Greg MacDonald
14 September 2014
15:00
Cornish Pirates19–30London Scottish (BP)
report
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,209
Referee: Tom Foley

[16]


Round 3

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19 September 2014
19:30
(BP) Moseley28–32Yorkshire Carnegie
Moseley
Billesley Common
Attendance: 794
Referee: Simon Harding
20 September 2014
14:30
Doncaster Knights16–32Worcester Warriors (BP)
Doncaster
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,426
Referee: Tom Foley
20 September 2014
15:00
(BP) London Scottish36–30Bedford Blues (2BP)
Bedford
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,379
Referee: Dean Richards
20 September 2014
15:00
Rotherham Titans30–25Plymouth Albion (BP)
Rotherham
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 1,100
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
21 September 2014
15:00
(BP) Bristol Rugby45–17Cornish Pirates
Ashton Gate
Attendance: 6,785
Referee: Darren Gamage
21 September 2014
15:45
Nottingham Rugby12–39Jersey (BP)
Jersey
Meadow Lane
Attendance: 1,389
Referee: Andrew Jackson

[17]


Round 4

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26 September 2014
19:45
(BP) Bristol Rugby42–17London Scottish
report
Ashton Gate
Attendance: 7,454
Referee: John Meredith
27 September 2014
15:00
(BP) Jersey29–32Rotherham Titans (BP)
Jersey
Rotherham
St Peter
Attendance: 2,384
Referee: David Procter
27 September 2014
15:00
Plymouth Albion22–31Bedfords Blues (BP)
report
Bedford
Brickfields
Attendance: 1,268
Referee: Ian Tempest
27 September 2014
15:00
(BP) Worcester Warriors55–16Nottingham Rugby
report
Sixways
Attendance: 3,826
Referee: Simon Harding
28 September 2014
14:30
Yorkshire Carnegie23–32Doncaster Knights (BP)
report[usurped]
Doncaster
Headingley Stadium
Attendance: 1,858
Referee: Steve Lee
28 September 2014
15:00
(BP) Cornish Pirates29–19Moseley
report
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,128
Referee: Andrew Jackson

[18]


Round 5

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4 October 2014
14:30
(BP) Doncaster Knights22–24Cornish Pirates
Doncaster
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,368
Referee: Greg MacDonald
4 October 2014
15:00
Bedford Blues25–20Jersey (BP)
Bedford
Jersey
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,394
Referee: Andrew Jackson
4 October 2014
15:00
Moseley14–59Bristol Rugby (BP)
report
report
Billesley Common
Attendance: 1,049
Referee: Steve Lee
4 October 2014
15:00
Rotherham Titans7–47Worcester Warriors (BP)
Rotherham
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 1,475
Referee: Ian Tempest
5 October 2014
13:00
Nottingham Rugby26–20Yorkshire Carnegie (BP)
report
Meadow Lane
Attendance: 1,077
Referee: Darren Gamage
5 October 2014
15:15
(BP) London Scottish64–16Plymouth Albion
report
Richmond Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,405
Referee: Tom Foley

[19]


Round 6

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7 November 2014
19:45
Bristol Rugby24–12Doncaster Knights
Report
Ashton Gate
Attendance: 7,589
Referee: Simon Harding
7 November 2014
19:45
(BP) Worcester Warriors42–12Bedford Blues
Report
Sixways
Attendance: 5,824
Referee: Steve Lee
7 November 2014
20:00
(BP) Yorkshire Carnegie0–6Rotherham Titans
Report
Headingley Stadium
Attendance: 2,551
Referee: Ian Tempest
8 November 2014
12:00
Moseley16–9London Scottish (BP)
Report
Billesley
Attendance: 631
Referee: David Proctor
8 November 2014
15:00
Jersey19–0Plymouth Albion
Report
St. Peter
Attendance: 1,630
Referee: Andrew Jackson
9 November 2014
15:00
Cornish Pirates13–32Nottingham Rugby (BP)
Report
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,010
Referee: Dean Richards

[20]


Round 7

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14 November 2014
18:45
(BP) London Scottish38–17Jersey
Report
Richmond Athletic Ground
Attendance: 2,108
Referee: Simon Harding
14 November 2014
19:45
Bedford Blues15–10Yorkshire Carnegie (BP)
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,414
Referee: John Meredith
14 November 2014
20:00
Nottingham Rugby13–27Bristol Rugby (BP)
Report
Meadow Lane
Attendance: 1,347
Referee: Darren Gamage
15 November 2014
14:00
Rotherham Titans21–13Cornish Pirates
Report
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 1,100
Referee: Andrew Jackson
15 November 2014
14:30
Doncaster Knights13–28Moseley (BP)
Report
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,252
Referee: Steve Lee
15 November 2014
17:00
Plymouth Albion10–22Worcester Warriors (BP)
Report
Brickfields
Attendance: 1,406
Referee: Greg MacDonald

[21]


Round 8

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21 November 2014
19:45
(BP) Worcester Warriors32–29Jersey (2BP)
Report
Sixways
Attendance: 5,908
Referee: John Meredith
21 November 2014
20:00
Yorkshire Carnegie19–19Plymouth Albion
Report
Headingley Stadium
Attendance: 1,265
Referee: David Proctor
22 November 2014
14:30
Doncaster Knights9–19London Scottish
Report
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,487
Referee: Darren Gamage
22 November 2014
15:00
(BP) Moseley26–27Nottingham Rugby
Report
Billesley
Attendance: 809
Referee: Greg MacDonald
23 November 2014
15:00
(BP) Bristol Rugby26–17Rotherham Titans
Report
Ashton Gate
Attendance: 6,428
Referee: Luke Pearce
23 November 2014
15:00
(BP) Cornish Pirates65–14Bedford Blues
Report
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,087
Referee: Simon Harding

[22]


Round 9

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20 December 2014
14:30
(BP) Jersey13–17Yorkshire Carnegie
Report
St Peter
Attendance: 1,862
Referee: Craig Maxwell Keys
20 December 2014
15:00
London Scottish17–34Worcester Warriors (BP)
Report
Richmond Athletic Ground
Attendance: 2,024
Referee: Dean Richards
21 December 2014
15:00
(BP) Nottingham Rugby24–3Doncaster Knights
Report
Meadow Lane
Attendance: 1,267
Referee: John Meredith
26 December 2014
14:00
(BP) Rotherham Titans22–26Moseley (BP)
Report
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 2,500
Referee: Craig Maxwell Keys
26 December 2014
15:00
(2BP) Bedford Blues24–28Bristol Rugby (BP)
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 4,401
Referee: Andrew Small
27 December 2014
15:00
Plymouth Albion19–27Cornish Pirates (BP)
Report
Brickfields
Attendance: 3,982
Referee: David Procter

[23] [24]


Round 10

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27 December 2014
14:30
Yorkshire Carnegie17–36Worcester Warriors (BP)
Report
Headingley Stadium
Attendance: 2,705
Referee: Darren Gamage
1 January 2015
15:00
(BP) Bristol Rugby55–18Plymouth Albion
Report
Ashton Gate
Attendance: 10,701
Referee: Craig Maxwell Keyes
3 January 2015
15:00
Cornish Pirates30–12Jersey
Report
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,727
Referee: Tom Foley
3 January 2015
15:00
Moseley15–23Bedford Blues
Report
Billesley
Attendance: 867
Referee: Simon Harding
4 January 2015
12:45
(BP) Doncaster Knights21–23Rotherham Titans
Report
Castle Park
Attendance: 3,676
Referee: Dean Richards
4 January 2015
15:00
Nottingham Rugby22–21London Scottish (BP)
Report
Meadow Lane
Attendance: 1,083
Referee: Steve Lee

[25]


Round 11

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10 January 2015
14:00
Rotherham Titans19–28Nottingham Rugby
Report
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 1,107
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
10 January 2015
15:00
(BP) Bedford Blues35–29Doncaster Knights (BP)
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,114
Referee: Andrew Jackson
10 January 2015
15:00
Jersey17–27Bristol Rugby (BP)
Report
St Peter
Attendance: 2,054
Referee: Darren Gamage
10 January 2015
15:00
(BP) London Scottish26–22Yorkshire Carnegie (BP)
Report
Richmond Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,570
Referee: Tom Foley
10 January 2015
15:00
Plymouth Albion19–18Moseley (BP)
Report
Brickfields
Attendance: 1,881
Referee: Ian Tempest
10 January 2015
15:00
(BP) Worcester Warriors62–26Cornish Pirates (BP)
Report
Sixways
Attendance: 6,415
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys

[26]


Round 12

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16 January 2015
19:45
(BP) London Scottish27–15Cornish Pirates
Report
Richmond Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,346
Referee: Wayne Barnes
17 January 2015
14:00
(BP) Rotherham Titans34–19Bedford Blues
Report
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 1,386
Referee: Greg McDonald
17 January 2015
14:30
(BP) Doncaster Knights19–26Jersey
Report
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,343
Referee: Simon Harding
17 January 2015
15:00
Moseley10–50Worcester Warriors (BP)
Report
Billesley Common
Attendance: 1,677
Referee: Andrew Jackson
18 January 2015
15:00
(BP) Bristol Rugby29–28Yorkshire Carnegie (2BP)
Report
Ashton Gate
Attendance: 7,291
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
18 January 2015
15:00
Nottingham Rugby22–19Plymouth Albion (BP)
Report
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,650

[27]


Round 13

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31 January 2015
15:00
Bedford Blues12–29London Scottish (BP)
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,441
Referee: Ian Tempest
31 January 2015
15:00
Jersey12–10Nottingham Rugby (BP)
Report
St Peter
Attendance: 1,775
Referee: Andrew Small
31 January 2015
15:00
(BP) Plymouth Albion22–8Rotherham Titans
Report
Brickfields
Attendance: 1,268
Referee: Steve Lee
31 January 2015
15:00
(BP) Worcester Warriors25–5Doncaster Knights
Report
Sixways Stadium
Attendance: 5,643
Referee: JP Doyle
1 February 2015
15:00
(BP) Cornish Pirates45–38Bristol Rugby (2BP)
Report
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 2,390
Referee: Greg Garner
1 February 2015
15:00
(BP) Yorkshire Carnegie32–17Moseley
Report
Headingley Stadium
Attendance: 2,141
Referee: Dean Richards

[28]


Round 14

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7 February 2015
14:00
Rotherham Titans20–20Jersey
Report
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 1,018
Referee: Matthew O'Grady
7 February 2015
14:30
Doncaster Knights29–16Yorkshire Carnegie
Report
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,575
Referee: Tom Foley
7 February 2015
15:00
(BP) Bedford Blues38–8Plymouth Albion
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 1,833
Referee: Simon Harding
7 February 2015
15:00
London Scottish17–25Bristol Rugby (BP)
Report
Richmond Athletic Ground
Attendance: 2,098
Referee: JP Doyle
7 February 2015
15:00
Moseley22–18Cornish Pirates (BP)
Report
Billesley
Attendance: 869
Referee: Matt Carley
8 February 2015
15:00
Nottingham Rugby3–58Worcester Warriors (BP)
Report
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,320
Referee: Greg Garner

[29]


Round 15

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14 February 2015
12:35
(BP) Worcester Warriors49–10Rotherham Titans
Report
Sixways Stadium
Attendance: 5,983
Referee: Ian Tempest
14 February 2015
15:00
Jersey17–3Bedford Blues
Report
St Peter
Attendance: 1,848
Referee: Craig Maxwell Keys
15 February 2015
15:00
(BP) Bristol Rugby52–24Moseley (BP)
Report
Ashton Gate
Attendance: 7,568
Referee: Andrew Jackson
15 February 2015
15:00
Cornish Pirates13–30Doncaster Knights
Report
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,256
Referee: Dean Richards
15 February 2015
15:00
Plymouth Albion12–12London Scottish
Report
Brickfields
Attendance: 1,175
Referee: Matt Carley
15 February 2015
15:00
(BP) Yorkshire Carnegie43–14Nottingham Rugby
Report
Headingley Stadium
Attendance: 1,145
Referee: Greg MacDonald

[30]


Round 16

edit
20 February 2015
20:00
(BP) Nottingham Rugby14–16Cornish Pirates
Report
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,121
Referee: Darren Gamage
21 February 2015
14:00
(BP) Rotherham Titans40–15Yorkshire Carnegie
Report
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 1,451
Referee: Simon Harding
21 February 2015
14:30
Doncaster Knights12–27Bristol Rugby (BP)
Report
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,552
Referee: Andrew Small
21 February 2015
15:00
Bedford Blues17–32Worcester Warriors (BP)
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,683
Referee: Tom Foley
21 February 2015
15:00
(BP) London Scottish35–3Moseley
Report
Richmond Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,553
Referee: Greg MacDonald
21 February 2015
15:00
Plymouth Albion18–17Jersey (BP)
Report
Brickfields
Attendance: 1,272
Referee: Luke Pearce

[31]


Round 17

edit
6 March 2015
19:30
(BP) Moseley17–20Doncaster Knights
Report
Billesley
Attendance: 1,116
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
6 March 2015
19:45
(BP) Bristol Rugby51–17Nottingham Rugby
Report
Ashton Gate
Attendance: 7,870
Referee: Tom Foley
7 March 2015
15:00
Jersey18–31London Scottish
Report
St Peter
Attendance: 2,223
Referee: Steve Lee
7 March 2015
15:00
(BP) Worcester Warriors29–8Plymouth Albion
Report
Sixways
Attendance: 4,582
Referee: Ian Tempest
8 March 2015
15:00
Yorkshire Carnegie15–8Bedford Blues (BP)
Report
Headingley Stadium
Attendance: 1,846
Referee: David Procter
8 March 2015
15:15
Cornish Pirates10–28Rotherham Titans
Report
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,230
Referee: Greg MacDonald

[32]


Round 18

edit
20 March 2015
19:45
Bedford Blues21–31Cornish Pirates (BP)
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,633
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
20 March 2015
19:45
London Scottish13–13Doncaster Knights
Report
Richmond Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,648
Referee: Greg Garner
21 March 2015
15:00
Jersey23–21Worcester Warriors (BP)
Report
St Peter
Attendance: 2,909
Referee: Andrew Small
21 March 2015
15:00
(BP) Nottingham Rugby49–32Moseley (BP)
Report
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,046
Referee: Steve Lee
21 March 2015
15:00
Plymouth Albion17–28Yorkshire Carnegie (BP)
Report
Brickfields
Attendance: 1,772
Referee: Darren Gamage
21 March 2015
15:00
Rotherham Titans25–27Bristol Rugby
Report
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 1,243
Referee: Dean Richards

[33]


Round 19

edit
27 March 2015
19:30
(2BP) Moseley26–32Rotherham Titans (BP)
Report
Billesley Common
Attendance: 983
Referee: Andrew Small
28 March 2015
14:30
(2BP) Doncaster Knights25–28Nottingham Rugby
Report
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,473
Referee: Ian Tempest
28 March 2015
15:00
(BP) Worcester Warriors56–15London Scottish
Report
Sixways Stadium
Attendance: 6,697
Referee: Greg MacDonald
29 March 2015
15:00
(BP) Bristol Rugby38–14Bedford Blues
Report
Ashton Gate
Attendance: 7,435
Referee: Steve Lee
29 March 2015
15:00
Cornish Pirates27–16Plymouth Albion
Report
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,650
Referee: Dean Richards
28 March 2015
15:00
Yorkshire Carnegie16–12Jersey (BP)
Report
Headingley Stadium
Attendance: 1,561
Referee: Andrew Jackson

[34]


Round 20

edit
11 April 2015
14:30
Jersey28–26Cornish Pirates (2BP)
Report
St Peter
Attendance: 2,241
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
11 April 2015
15:00
(BP) Bedford Blues31–21Moseley
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 1,907
Referee: Tom Foley
11 April 2015
15:00
(BP) London Scottish34–29Nottingham Rugby (2BP)
Report
Richmond Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,892
Referee: Dean Richards
11 April 2015
15:00
Plymouth Albion7–65Bristol Rugby (BP)
Report
Brickfields
Attendance: 1,985
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
11 April 2015
15:00
Rotherham Titans26–25Doncaster Knights (2BP)
Report
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 1,724
Referee: Andrew Small
11 April 2015
15:00
(BP) Worcester Warriors39–26Yorkshire Carnegie (BP)
Report
Sixways Stadium
Attendance: 6,045
Referee: Ian Tempest

[35]


Round 21

edit
17 April 2015
19:45
(BP) Bristol Rugby40–29Jersey (BP)
Report
Ashton Gate
Attendance: 7,649
Referee: Greg MacDonald
17 April 2015
20:00
Nottingham Rugby10–21Rotherham Titans
Report
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,514
Referee: Thomas Foley
18 April 2015
14:30
Doncaster Knights25–19Bedford Blues (BP)
Report
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,569
Referee: David Proctor
18 April 2015
15:00
Cornish Pirates8–69Worcester Warriors (BP)
Report
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 2,259
Referee: Darren Gamage
18 April 2015
15:00
Moseley29–0Plymouth Albion
Report
Billesley
Attendance: 2,306
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
19 April 2015
15:00
(BP) Yorkshire Carnegie46–7London Scottish
Report
Headingley Stadium
Attendance: 1,568
Referee: Simon Harding

[36]


Round 22

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25 April 2015
15:00
Bedford Blues17–26Nottingham Rugby
Report
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,517
Referee: Andrew Small
25 April 2015
15:00
(BP) Jersey40–21Moseley
Report
St Peter
Attendance: 2,157
Referee: David Proctor
25 April 2015
15:00
(BP) Plymouth Albion16–19Doncaster Knights
Report
Brickfields
Attendance: 1,486
Referee: Matthew O'Grady
25 April 2015
15:00
Rotherham Titans19–3London Scottish
Report
Abbeydale Park, Sheffield
Attendance: 1,554
Referee: Andrew Jackson
25 April 2015
15:00
(BP) Worcester Warriors26–30Bristol Rugby
Report
Sixways Stadium
Attendance: 10,395
Referee: Craig Maxwell Keys
25 April 2015
15:00
Yorkshire Carnegie27–5Cornish Pirates
Report
Headingley Stadium
Attendance: 1,624
Referee: Steve Lee

[37]

Play-offs

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Semi-finals

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The semifinals followed a 1 v 4, 2 v 3 system – with the games being played over two-legs with the higher placed team deciding who played at home in the first leg.

First leg

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2 May 2015
13:30
Bristol Rugby32–20Rotherham Titans
Report
Ashton Gate
Attendance: 7,381
Referee: Matt Carley

2 May 2015
13:45
London Scottish22–27Worcester Warriors
Report
Richmond Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,825
Referee: Greg Garner

Second leg

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8 May 2015
19:45
Worcester Warriors38–15London Scottish
Report
Sixways Stadium
Attendance: 6,658
Referee: Ian Tempest
  • Worcester Warriors won 65 – 37 on aggregate

10 May 2015
13:45
Rotherham Titans16–24Bristol Rugby
Report
Abbeydale Park, Sheffield
Attendance: 3,227
Referee: Dean Richards
  • Bristol Rugby won 56 – 36 on aggregate

Final

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The final is played over two legs – with the higher placed team deciding who played at home in the first leg.

First leg

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20 May 2015
19:45
Bristol Rugby28–29Worcester Warriors
Try: Eadie 14', Lemi (2) 35', 71'
Con: Henson (2/2), Robinson (0/1)
Pen: Henson 3', 49' (2/4), Robinson 76' (1/1)
Report
Report
Try: Betty 11', Penalty 19', Vuna 28', Biggs 38', Annett 80'
Con: Lamb (2/5)
Pen: Lamb (0/1), Pennell (0/1)
Ashton Gate
Attendance: 12,010
Referee: Wayne Barnes
FB 15   Jack Wallace
RW 14   Charlie Amesbury
OC 13   Gareth Maule
IC 12   Gavin Henson   70'
LW 11   David Lemi
FH 10   Matthew Morgan   56'
SH 9   Dwayne Peel (c)   73'
N8 8   Mitch Eadie
OF 7   Jack Lam
BF 6   Ryan Jones   18'   35'   50'
RL 5   Mark Sorenson
LL 4   Glen Townson   50'
TP 3   Gaston Cortes   18' to 28'   70'
HK 2   Chris Brooker   70'
LP 1   Kyle Traynor
Replacements:
HK 16   Max Crumpton   70'
TP 17   Anthony Perenise   18'   25' to 35'   70'
LK 18   Ben Glynn   50'
FL 19   Marco Mama   50'
SH 20   Tom Kessell   73'
FB 21   Nicky Robinson   56'
CE 22   Jack Tovey   70'
Coach:   Andy Robinson
FB 15   Chris Pennell
RW 14   Tom Biggs
OC 13   Alex Grove
IC 12   Ryan Mills
LW 11   Cooper Vuna   75'
FH 10   Ryan Lamb
SH 9   Jean-Baptiste Bruzulier
N8 8   Gerrit-Jan van Velze (c)
OF 7   Sam Betty
BF 6   Mike Williams
RL 5   Jonathan Thomas
LL 4   James Percival   64'
TP 3   Nick Schonert   73'
HK 2   Agustín Creevy   76'
LP 1   Val Rapava-Ruskin   62'
Replacements:
HK 16   Niall Annett   76'
LP 17   Ryan Bower   62'
TP 18   Joe Rees   73'
FL 19   Leonardo Senatore   64'
SH 20   Jamie Shillcott
CE 21   Ravai Fatiaki
WG 22   Ben Howard   75'
Coach:   Dean Ryan

Touch judges:
  Luke Pearce
  Ian Tempest
Television match official:
  Graham Hughes

Second leg

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27 May 2015
19:45
Worcester Warriors30–30Bristol Rugby
Try: Pennell (2) 32', 80'
Con: Lamb (3/3)
Pen: Lamb 6', 25', 34' (3/4)
Drop: Lamb (0/1)
Report
Report
Try: Lam 60', Tovey 67', Morgan 71'
Con: Robinson (3/3)
Pen: Robinson 16', 29', 44' (3/6)
Sixways Stadium
Attendance: 12,024
Referee: JP Doyle
FB 15   Chris Pennell
RW 14   Tom Biggs
OC 13   Alex Grove   70'
IC 12   Ryan Mills
LW 11   Cooper Vuna   60' to 70'
FH 10   Ryan Lamb
SH 9   Jean-Baptiste Bruzulier
N8 8   Gerrit-Jan van Velze (c)
OF 7   Sam Betty   67'
BF 6   Mike Williams
RL 5   Jonathan Thomas
LL 4   James Percival
TP 3   Nick Schonert   69'
HK 2   Agustín Creevy   65'
LP 1   Val Rapava-Ruskin   48'
Replacements:
HK 16   Niall Annett   65'
LP 17   Ryan Bower   48'
TP 18   Joe Rees   69'
FL 19   Leonardo Senatore   67'
SH 20   Jamie Shillcott
CE 21   Ravai Fatiaki
FB 22   Ben Howard   70'
Coach:   Dean Ryan
FB 15   Jack Wallace   57'
RW 14   Charlie Amesbury
OC 13   Jack Tovey
IC 12   Ben Mosses
LW 11   David Lemi
FH 10   Nicky Robinson
SH 9   Dwayne Peel (c)   79' to 80'
N8 8   Mitch Eadie
OF 7   Jack Lam   74' to 80'
BF 6   Marco Mama
RL 5   Mark Sorenson   74'
LL 4   Ben Glynn
TP 3   Gaston Cortes   54'
HK 2   Chris Brooker   70'
LP 1   Kyle Traynor
Replacements:
HK 16   Max Crumpton   70'
TP 17   Anthony Perenise   54'
LK 18   Glen Townson   74'
FL 19   Olly Robinson
SH 20   Tom Kessell
FB 21   Matthew Morgan   57'
CE 22   Gareth Maule
Coach:   Andy Robinson

Touch judges:
  Luke Pearce
  Greg Garner
Television match official:
  David Grashoff

Worcester win 59 – 58 on aggregate

Attendances

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  • Includes play-off games where applicable
Club Home
Games
Total Average Highest Lowest % Capacity
Bedford Blues 11 27,454 2,496 4,401 1,833 42%
Bristol Rugby 13 104,710 8,055 12,010 6,428 37%
Cornish Pirates 11 16,270 1,479 2,390 1,010 37%
Doncaster Knights 11 18,024 1,639 3,676 1,252 33%
Jersey 11 22,997 2,091 2,909 1,630 42%
London Scottish 12 19,935 1,661 2,108 1,087 37%
Moseley 11 12,077 1,098 2,306 631 37%
Nottingham Rugby 11 14,053 1,278 1,650 1,046 34%
Plymouth Albion 11 18,727 1,702 3,982 1,175 20%
Rotherham Titans 12 18,885 1,574 3,227 1,018 64%
Worcester Warriors 13 84,376 6,490 12,024 3,826 54%
Yorkshire Carnegie 11 20,286 1,844 2,705 1,145 9%

[38][39]

Individual statistics

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  • Note that points scorers includes tries as well as conversions, penalties and drop goals. Stats also include promotion play-offs.

RFU Dream Team XV

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The RFU Dream Team is picked by the coaches of the twelve championship teams. Bristol playmaker Morgan attracted the highest number of votes for an individual player with eight, one more than Cornish Pirates pair Tom Kessell and Darren Barry and Nottingham's Shaun Malton. Meanwhile, London Scottish number 8 Bright makes the Dream Team for the third year in a row and is the only player to retain his place from last season.[40]

  • 15 Paul Jarvis (Doncaster Knights)
  • 14 Sam Smith (Worcester Warriors)
  • 13 Max Stelling (Worcester Warriors)
  • 12 Andy Symons (Worcester Warriors)
  • 11 David Lemi (Bristol Rugby)
  • 10 Matthew Morgan (Bristol Rugby)
  •  9 Tom Kessell (Cornish Pirates)
  •  1 Sam Lockwood (Jersey)
  •  2 Shaun Malton (Nottingham Rugby)
  •  3 Harry Williams (Jersey)
  •  4 Mike Williams (Worcester Warriors)
  •  5 Darren Barry (Cornish Pirates)
  •  6 Alex Rieder (Rotherham Titans)
  •  7 Jack Preece (Rotherham Titans)
  •  8 Mark Bright (London Scottish)

Season records

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References

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  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 5 June 2014.
  2. ^ "Rugby Football Union to fund travel for Cup games". BBC Sport. 2010-11-04. Retrieved 2014-06-05.
  3. ^ Marsh, Paddy (19 April 2015). "It's all over for Albion". Cornwall Independent.
  4. ^ a b "Championship: RFU to abolish play-off pool stages". BBC Sport. 17 May 2012. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  5. ^ "Premiership is no go for now admits chief Irvine". Bedfordshire News. 2011-03-13. Retrieved 2014-06-05.
  6. ^ Pilnick, Brent (2012-08-22). "RFU unveils new funding deal for Championship clubs". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2014-06-05.
  7. ^ a b "Bristol 20–21 London Welsh – Determined London Welsh bounce straight back into the Premiership". ESPN. Retrieved 2014-06-05.
  8. ^ a b Press Association. "Premiership roundup: Relegated Worcester edge out Gloucester". The Guardian. Retrieved 2014-06-05.
  9. ^ a b Pryor, Tim (2014-04-26). "Jersey secure RFU Championship survival after 41–31 Bedford win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2014-06-05.
  10. ^ a b c "GOING UP! Doncaster Knights seal promotion to Championship". Doncaster Free Press. 2014-04-26. Retrieved 2014-06-05.
  11. ^ "Championship table". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
  12. ^ "Nottingham Rugby to leave Meadow Lane home in 2015". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  13. ^ "Rugby: Rotherham Titans may move to Abbeydale, Sheffield". thestar.co.uk. 1 April 2015.
  14. ^ "Change of venue for Titans v London Scottish". rotherhamrugby.co.uk. 1 April 2015. Archived from the original on 4 April 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  15. ^ "Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 312. 7 September 2014. pp. 20–21 & 36.
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  17. ^ "Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 314. 21 September 2014. pp. 24–25 & 34.
  18. ^ "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 315. 28 September 2014. pp. 24–25 & 34.
  19. ^ "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 317. 5 October 2014. pp. 26–27 & 36.
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  25. ^ "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 329. Rugby Paper Ltd. 5 January 2014. pp. 22–23 & 32.
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  28. ^ "RFU Championship". The RUGBYPaper. No. 333. Rugby Paper Ltd. 1 February 2015. pp. 14–15 & 38.
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  38. ^ a b "Championship 14/15 Home attendance". Rugby Statbunker. 25 April 2015.
  39. ^ a b "Championship Playoffs 14/15 Home attendance". Rugby Statbunker. 27 May 2015.
  40. ^ "Championship Dream XV 2014/15". RFU. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
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