Its the weekend – which means its yet another dose of pulsating Championship rugby. Despite the Championship not getting the TV coverage it richly deserves, The Rugby Paper is the only place for the best Championship coverage.
Each of the four games provide a story line of their own. We can’t wait!
London Scottish‘s fixture with Ealing Trailfinders has been postponed due to a covid outbreak in the Scottish squad.
Jersey Reds v Richmond – 14:00
Fourth-placed Jersey Reds host Richmond on the Channel Island. Reds have a seven-point gap between themselves and fifth placed Hartpury.
Last time out, the Channel Islanders beat Ampthill 12-17. Jersey Director of Rugby Harvey Biljon was a relieved man after a difficult few weeks for his side. They islanders had seen their promotion bid dented with back-to-back defeats before the visit to Ampthill. Two wins in two for Reds would be the perfect response to Reds’ back-to-back losses.
Last weekend, ninth-placed Richmond narrowly edged out Bedford Blues 22-19. After completing the league double over Bedford, Richmond Head Coach said: βI’m really relieved to get over the line.β
In October, Jersey Reds emerged victorious at Richmond β winning 20-26.
Doncaster v Ampthill – 14:30
Without a game last weekend, Doncaster were leap-frogged by Ealing at the summit of the Championship. Doncaster will be looking to return to the top of the table this weekend with Ealing’s postponement. Currently, Doncaster sit five points behind Ealing having played a game more than the Trailfinders. The Cornish Pirates are further breathing down their necks. Β Β
Last time out, seventh-placed Ampthill lost to Jersey Reds. Paul Turner said: βOther than our two tries it was a game of defending which kept us in the game but wasn’t going to get us the win.
In October’s reverse fixture, Doncaster narrowly edged Ampthill 18-20 in a thriller.
Bedford Blues v Hartpury – 15:00
Bedford will be looking to avoid a hat-trick of defeats when Hartpury come to town on Saturday. Sixth-placed Blues sit two points behind fifth-placed Hartpury.
Last weekend, Bedford were narrowly defeated by Richmond. The final whistle game with Bedford agonisingly under the posts. Blues Director of Rugby Mike Rayer will be looking to improve this weekend, saying βtoo many errors and dull penaltiesβ ultimately cost them at Richmond.
Hartpury clawed back a draw with table-footers London Scottish in a game they ought to have lost. Director of Rugby John Barnes said: βWe’re disappointed. We played well for ten minutes but errors and ill-discipline gave Scottish everything they needed. They were more physical and unlucky not to win. Nathan Hughes was our best player. Sadly, nobody else stepped up to match his efforts.β
Bedford handsomely defeated Hartpury in October, winning 19-42 on the road in Gloucestershire.
Coventry v Cornish Pirates – 15:00
Coventry will be looking to put last week’s battering at the hands of Ealing to bed with victory over Cornish Pirates.
Eight-placed Coventry are still trying to find their best form this term β with a real lack of consistency. Young gun fly-half Evan Mitchell told TRP that the club are still trying to battle their way to fourth or fifth in the table. Cornish Pirates will provide a stern-test for their credentials.
Cornish sit in third place and are looking to jump above Doncaster and move into second. With two games in hand, they know that two victories can put pressure on Ealing at the summit. Last weekend, young fly-half Harry Bazalgette kicked 17-points in his first Championship start in a comprehensive 52-17 victory. It was Pirates’ first game in six weeks after three Covid postponements and two scheduled blank weekends, Pirates led 14-0 after ten minutes and Paver said: βWe went out there with a lot of energy.
October’s reverse fixture saw the Pirates run out 40-5 winners over Coventry.
POSTPNED – London Scottish v Ealing Trailfinders – 15:00
The table-toppers visit to bottom of the table London Scottish was postponed on Thursday due to a covid outbreak in the Scottish squad.
This coming Sunday’s edition of The Rugby Paper is the only centralised place for reports and reaction from all five Championship games.
Love the Championship? Subscribe to The Rugby Paper now!
By BEN REDWOOD
