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2020–21 RFU Championship

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The 2020–21 RFU Championship, also known as the 2020–21 Greene King IPA Championship for sponsorship reasons, was the twelfth season of the RFU Championship, the professional second tier of rugby union in England. It featured ten English teams and one from Jersey. The competition was sponsored by Greene King for the eighth successive season.[1] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, this season featured a truncated timeframe of just 16 weeks with a later start and fewer rounds.

2020–21 RFU Championship
Countries England
 Jersey
Date6 March 2021 — 20 June 2021
ChampionsSaracens (3rd title)
Runners-upEaling Trailfinders
Matches played56
Attendance4,188
(average 75 per match)
Highest attendance2,000
Saracens vs Ampthill
17 May 2021
Tries scored430
(average 7.7 per match)
Top point scorerEngland Owen Farrell
(Saracens)
102 points
Top try scorerSouth Africa Rayn Smid
(Ealing Trailfinders)
9 tries

Structure

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In a change from previous years, the eleven teams played each of the other teams once only, either home or away, to produce a ten-round season. The top two teams played each other in a two-legged play-off, with the winner promoted to the Premiership, if eligible. Due to the cancellation of the National League 1, there was no relegation.[2] The season began on 6 March 2021, and the final round of matches were played in May 2021.[3] Each team received one bye week, and there were three reserve weekends during the season.

RFU funding change

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Each club received approximately £375,000 in funding from the RFU in a phased return to the level of funding provided prior to 2016–17 season.[4][5] Following news of the funding change, several clubs announced their intention to switch to a semi-professional business model.[6][7]

Teams

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Locations of the 2020–21 RFU Championship teams
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Greater London RFU Championship teams

Nine of the eleven teams played in last season's competition. Yorkshire Carnegie, later renamed Leeds Tykes, were relegated to National League 1 after finishing bottom of the 2019–20 RFU Championship. They were replaced by Richmond who were promoted from 2019–20 National League 1 after just one year away from the Championship. Newcastle Falcons were promoted back to Premiership Rugby at the first attempt.[4] They were replaced in the RFU Championship by Saracens, who were relegated after finishing bottom of the 2019–20 Premiership Rugby table.[8]

On 2 February 2021, Ampthill announced that due to funding cuts and the costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, they might not be able to take part in the season.[9] However, after a large donation, they were able to participate.[10]

London Scottish did not participate due to the costs associated with the pandemic.[11]


Club Stadium Capacity Area Previous season
Ampthill Dillingham Park 3,000 Ampthill, Bedfordshire 5th
Bedford Blues Goldington Road 5,000 (1,700 seats)[a] Bedford, Bedfordshire 8th
Cornish Pirates Mennaye Field 4,000 (2,200 seats) Penzance, Cornwall 3rd
Coventry Butts Park Arena 4,000 (3,000 seats) Coventry, West Midlands 4th
Doncaster Knights Castle Park 5,000 (1,650 seats) Doncaster, South Yorkshire 10th
Ealing Trailfinders Trailfinders Sports Ground 4,000 (2,200 seats) West Ealing, London 2nd
Hartpury University ALPAS Arena 2,000 Hartpury, Gloucestershire 11th
Jersey Reds Stade Santander International 4,000 Saint Peter, Jersey 7th
Nottingham Lady Bay Sports Ground 3,500 Nottingham, Nottinghamshire 6th
Richmond Athletic Ground 4,500 (1,000 seats) Richmond, London Promoted from National League 1
Saracens StoneX Stadium 8,500 Hendon, Greater London Relegated from Premiership Rugby

Pre-season competition

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Ahead of the season, Ealing, Doncaster and Saracens participated in the Trailfinders Challenge Cup, as a pre-season warm-up. It took place between the 16 January and 20 February as a round-robin tournament where teams played each other home and away.[12]

Ealing Trailfinders won the competition with one game remaining, they received a trophy and £20,000.[13]

Table

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Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 Ealing Trailfinders (CH) 4 4 0 0 152 98 +54 21 13 3 0 19
2 Saracens 4 1 0 3 81 76 +5 12 9 2 1 9[b]
3 Doncaster Knights 4 1 0 3 56 115 −59 7 18 1 0 5[b]
Source: [citation needed]
Notes:
  1. ^ Goldington Road's capacity down from 6,000 to 5,000.
  2. ^ a b Cancelled Fixture: Doncaster Knights 4pts; Saracens 2pts

Fixtures

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16 January 2021
15:00
Ealing Trailfinders27–26Saracens (1 BP)
Report
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 0
Referee: Jack Makepeace
23 January 2021
15:00
Doncaster KnightsCancelled
0–0[14]		Saracens
Castle Park
30 January 2021
15:00
(1 BP) Doncaster Knights26–46Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP)
Report
Castle Park
Attendance: 0
Referee: Hamish Smales
6 February 2021
13:00
(1 BP) Saracens26–39Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP)
Report
StoneX Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Mike Hudson
13 February 2021
16:15
(1 BP) Saracens29–10Doncaster Knights
Report
StoneX Stadium
Referee: Andrew Jackson
20 February 2021
15:00
(1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders40–20Doncaster Knights
Report
Trailfinders Sports Ground

Table

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2020–21 RFU Championship table
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Ealing Trailfinders (RU) 10 9 0 1 505 161 +344 9 0 45 Play-off place
2 Saracens (CH) 9 8 0 1 444 101 +343 8 0 40[a]
3 Doncaster Knights 10 8 0 2 236 225 +11 4 0 36
4 Cornish Pirates 10 6 0 4 268 210 +58 5 3 32
5 Coventry 10 6 0 4 252 282 −30 5 1 30
6 Jersey Reds 10 5 0 5 256 284 −28 4 0 24
7 Ampthill 10 4 0 6 217 325 −108 4 2 22
8 Bedford Blues 10 3 0 7 213 268 −55 2 3 17
9 Hartpury 9 2 0 7 228 360 −132 3 1 12[a]
10 Nottingham 10 2 0 8 169 344 −175 2 2 12
11 Richmond 10 1 0 9 138 366 −228 0 0 4
Updated to match(es) played on 31 May 2021. Source: "Greene King IPA 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
    Notes:
  1. ^ a b Cancelled Fixture: Saracens 0pts; Hartpury University 0pts

Fixtures & Results

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Fixtures for the season were announced by the RFU on 8 February 2021.[3] Jersey Reds played only 3 games at home, having switched with their opponents for their rounds 3 and 5 games based on travel concerns.[15]

Round 1

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6 March 2021
13:15
(1 BP) Hartpury38 – 15Richmond
Hartpury University
ALPAS Arena
Attendance: 0[a]
Referee: Christophe Ridley
6 March 2021
15:00
Cornish Pirates25 – 17Saracens
Pirates
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 0[a]
Referee: Sara Cox
6 March 2021
15:00
Coventry10 – 9Bedford Blues (1 BP)
Coventry
Butts Park Arena
Attendance: 0[a]
Referee: Hamish Smales
7 March 2021
13:00
(1 BP) Ampthill17 – 19Doncaster Knights
Ampthill
Dillingham Park
Attendance: 0[a]
Referee: Simon Harding
7 March 2021
13:00
Nottingham3 – 52Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP)
Trailfinders
Lady Bar Sports Ground
Attendance: 0[a]
Referee: Jack Makepeace
Bye/s: Jersey Reds

Round 2

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12 March 2021
18:00
Doncaster Knights20 – 19Coventry (1 BP)
Knights
Castle Park
Attendance: 0[a]
Referee: Hamish Smales
12 March 2021
19:45
Bedford Blues33 – 25Hartpury
Blues
Goldington Road
Attendance: 0[a]
Referee: Simon Harding
13 March 2021
13:30
(1 BP) Saracens45 – 13Jersey Reds
Saracens
StoneX Stadium
Attendance: 0[a]
Referee: Jack Makepeace
13 March 2021
14:00
Richmond7 – 27Cornish Pirates (1 BP)
Richmond
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 0[a]
Referee: George Selwood
13 March 2021
15:00
(1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders54 – 6Ampthill
Trailfinders
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 0[a]
Referee: Dean Richards
Bye/s: Nottingham

Round 3

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19 March 2021
18:00
Coventry19 – 55Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP)
Coventry
Butts Park Arena
Attendance: 0[a]
19 March 2021
19:30
Hartpury21 – 32Doncaster Knights (1 BP)
Knights
ALPAS Arena
Attendance: 0[a]
20 March 2021
13:30
Richmond23 – 15Jersey Reds
Richmond
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 0[a]
21 March 2021
12:30
(1 BP) Cornish Pirates27 – 12Bedford Blues
Pirates
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 0[a]
21 March 2021
13:00
(1 BP) Ampthill31 – 15Nottingham
Ampthill
Dillingham Park
Attendance: 0[a]
Bye/s: Saracens

Round 4

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27 March 2021
13:00
(1 BP) Bedford Blues20 – 25Jersey Reds
Blues
Goldington Road
Attendance: 0[a]
27 March 2021
15:00
Doncaster Knights17 – 15Cornish Pirates (1 BP)
Knights
Castle Park
Attendance: 0[a]
27 March 2021
17:45
Nottingham24 – 36Coventry (1 BP)
Nottingham
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 0[a]
28 March 2021
14:15
Richmond3 – 32Saracens (1 BP)
Richmond
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 0[a]
28 March 2021
15:00
(1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders75 – 19Hartpury
Trailfinders
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 0[a]
Bye/s: Ampthill

Round 5

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10 April 2021
13:30
Cornish Pirates10 – 38Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP)
Trailfinders
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 0[a]
10 April 2021
14:30
Doncaster Knights22 – 10Jersey Reds
Knights
Castle Park
Attendance: 0[a]
10 April 2021
16:30
Hartpury15 – 13Nottingham (1 BP)
Hartpury
ALPAS Arena
Attendance: 0[a]
11 April 2021
13:00
(1 BP) Saracens54 – 13Bedford Blues
Saracens
StoneX Stadium
Attendance: 0[a]
11 April 2021
14:30
(1 BP) Coventry26 – 15Ampthill
Coventry
Butts Park Arena
Attendance: 0[a]
Bye/s: Richmond

Round 6

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17 April 2021
12:30
Nottingham22 – 33Cornish Pirates (1 BP)
Pirates
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 0[b]
17 April 2021
13:00
(1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders64 – 17Jersey Reds
Trailfinders
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 0[b]
17 April 2021
16:15
(1 BP) Bedford Blues38 – 10Richmond
Blues
Goldington Road
Attendance: 0[b]
18 April 2021
13:00
(1 BP) Ampthill43 – 41Hartpury (2 BP)
Ampthill
Dillingham Park
Attendance: 0[b]
18 April 2021
15:00
Doncaster Knights15 – 50Saracens (1 BP)
Knights
Castle Park
Attendance: 0[b]
Bye/s: Coventry

Round 7

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24 April 2021
13:00
Hartpury24 – 47Coventry (1 BP)
Hartpury
ALPAS Arena
Attendance: 0[b]
24 April 2021
13:30
(1 BP) Cornish Pirates18 – 20Ampthill
Pirates
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 0[b]
24 April 2021
15:00
(1 BP) Jersey Reds55 – 12Nottingham
Reds
Stade Santander International
Attendance: 1,031[c]
24 April 2021
15:00
Richmond12 – 40Doncaster Knights (1 BP)
Richmond
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 0[b]
25 April 2021
15:00
(1 BP) Saracens48 – 20Ealing Trailfinders
Trailfinders
StoneX Stadium
Attendance: 0[b]
Bye/s: Bedford Blues

Round 8

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1 May 2021
13:45
Ampthill14 – 29Jersey Reds (1 BP)
Ampthill
Dillingham Park
Attendance: 0[b]
1 May 2021
15:00
Coventry19 – 30Cornish Pirates
Coventry
Butts Park Arena
Attendance: 0[b]
1 May 2021
15:30
(1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders69 – 7Richmond
Trailfinders
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 0[b]
1 May 2021
17:30
Nottingham0 – 56Saracens (1 BP)
Saracens
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 0[b]
2 May 2021
13:00
(1 BP) Doncaster Knights27 – 19Bedford Blues
Knights
Castle Park
Attendance: 0[b]
Bye/s: Hartpury

Round 9

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14 May 2021
19:45
Bedford Blues17 – 40Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP)
Trailfinders
Goldington Road
Attendance: 0[b]
15 May 2021
15:00
Jersey Reds10 – 34Coventry (1 BP)
Reds
Stade Santander International
Attendance: 1,157[c]
15 May 2021
15:00
Richmond17 – 34Nottingham (1 BP)
Richmond
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 0[b]
15 May 2021
15:30
(1 BP) Cornish Pirates52 – 26Hartpury (1 BP)
Pirates
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 0[b]
17 May 2021
19:30
(1 BP) Saracens69 – 12Ampthill
Saracens
StoneX Stadium
Attendance: 2,000[d]
Bye/s: Doncaster Knights

Round 10

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22 May 2021
13:00
Hartpury19 – 50Jersey Reds (1 BP)
Hartpury
ALPAS Arena
Attendance: [d]
22 May 2021
15:00
(1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders38 – 15Doncaster Knights
Trailfinders
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: [d]
22 May 2021
17:00
Coventry0 – 73Saracens (1 BP)
Saracens
Butts Park Arena
Attendance: [d]
23 May 2021
13:00
(1 BP) Ampthill31 – 22Richmond
Ampthill
Dillingham Park
Attendance: [d]
23 May 2021
13:00
Nottingham22 – 20Bedford Blues (1 BP)
Nottingham
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: [d]
Bye/s: Cornish Pirates

Round 11

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29 May 2021
14:00
SaracensCancelled
0 – 0[e]		Hartpury
StoneX Stadium
29 May 2021
14:00
Richmond22 – 42Coventry (1 BP)
Richmond
Athletic Ground
Attendance: [d]
29 May 2021
14:00
(1 BP) Bedford Blues32 – 28Ampthill (2 BP)
Blues
Goldington Road
Attendance: [d]
29 May 2021
15:00
(1 BP) Jersey Reds32 – 31Cornish Pirates (2 BP)
Reds
Stade Santander International
Attendance: [c]
29 May 2021
16:30
(1 BP) Doncaster Knights29 – 24Nottingham (1 BP)
Castle Park
Attendance: [d]
Bye/s: Ealing Trailfinders

Final

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The top two teams took part in a two-legged final to determine the champion. The top ranked team at the end of the league season chose which leg they play at home. The matches were played on 13 and 20 June 2021. Subject to meeting the minimum criteria, the champion would be promoted to Premiership Rugby. On 22 May, both Ealing Trailfinders and Saracens qualified for the final. The final was confirmed on 3 June, with Ealing Trailfinders playing the first leg at home.

In June 2021, it was confirmed that only Saracens were eligible for promotion, as Ealing Trailfinders did not meet an RFU deadline, despite having a groundshare in place. Trailfinders intended to appeal the decision, as they claim they were not given adequate information from the league.[17]

With an aggregate score of 117–15, Saracens won the final to take their first second-tier title since 1995 and earn promotion to the Premiership.[18]

First leg

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13 June 2021
16:30
Ealing Trailfinders0 – 60Saracens
ReportTry: Itoje 11' c
Davies 24' c
George 40' c
B. Vunipola (2) 43' c, 54' c
Penalty try 64'
Tompkins 73' c
Maitland 79' m
Con: Farrell (6/7) 12', 25', 40+1', 44', 55', 74'
Pen: Farrell (2/3) 5', 33'
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)

Second leg

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20 June 2021
15:30
Saracens57 – 15Ealing Trailfinders
Try: Mak. Vunipola 35' c
Daly 42' c
Koch 46' c
George 52' c
Tompkins 56' m
Lewington 64' c
Penalty try 72'
Whiteley 77' c
Con: Farrell (4/4) 37', 42', 47', 53'
Man. Vunipola (2/3) 66', 78'
Pen: Farrell (1/1) 7'		ReportTry: Penalty try 1'
Burns 80' m
Pen: Willis (1/1) 26'
StoneX Stadium
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)

Leading scorers

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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.

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Match played behind closed doors due to local restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Match played behind closed doors due to national restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
  3. ^ a b c Spectators limited due to island restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Capacity limited to 25% due to national restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
  5. ^ Hartpury University have returned a number of positive COVID-19 tests and are therefore unable to field a side. No team received any match points.[16]

References

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  1. ^ "Greene King IPA extends RFU partnership". SportsPro Media. Retrieved 2019-05-24.
  2. ^ "RFU Council votes in favour of no Premiership relegation". England Rugby. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Greene King IPA Championship fixtures confirmed for upcoming season". Greene King Championship. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Update on RFU Funding of Greene King IPA Championship". Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 2020-02-11.
  5. ^ "Update on RFU Funding of Greene King IPA Championship". Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 2020-02-23.
  6. ^ "RFU funding cut update". London Scottish Rugby. 2020-02-28. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
  7. ^ "PLANNING FOR NEXT SEASON". Nottingham Rugby. 2020-04-17. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
  8. ^ "Saracens relegated from Premiership at end of 2019–20 season for salary cap breaches". 19 January 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  9. ^ "Mark Lavery on ITV News - Mon 1st Feb 2021". Ampthill Rugby. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  10. ^ "ARUFC Participation Statement - 2021 Greene King IPA Championship Season". Ampthill Rugby. 5 February 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  11. ^ "London Scottish decline DCMS loans to play 1st XV". London Scottish Rugby. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  12. ^ "Saracens to take part in Trailfinders Challenge Cup". Saracens. 2021-01-07. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  13. ^ "Ealing Trailfinders Crowned Trailfinders Challenge Cup Champions". www.ealingtrailfinders.com. Archived from the original on 2021-02-14. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  14. ^ "Cancelled: Doncaster Knights vs Saracens Men". Saracens. 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
  15. ^ "Reds set to take their place as Championship confirms start date for new season". Jersey Reds. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
  16. ^ "Saracens v Hartpury University Decision". www.championshiprugby.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2021-05-31. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  17. ^ "Ealing dispute RFU ruling on failure to meet Premiership stadium criteria". The Guardian. 2021-06-12. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  18. ^ "Saracens 57-15 Ealing: Players 'showed faith in club', says Mark McCall as Sarries promoted back to Premiership". BBC Sport. 2021-06-20. Retrieved 2021-06-20.
  19. ^ a b "England Championship - Player stats". It's Rugby. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
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