English Championship

This is where you will find all of The Rugby Paper’s English Championship news, interviews, reports, opinion and other content.

Young duo extends London Scottish stay

19 April 2016 0 comments

London Scottish have confirmed that young duo Alec Coombes and Harry Sheppard have signed new contracts for next season. Inside-centre Sheppard, 19, made his first-team […]

Mike Rayer’s magicians can give Bristol the Blues

14 April 2016 0 comments

Bedford are the team most likely to threaten Bristol‘s bid for Championship glory, according to London Scottish head coach Peter Richards. Mike Rayer’s Blues have […]

Kevin Maggs urges RFU to make Tier Two level playing field

6 April 2016 0 comments

Moseley boss Kevin Maggs has urged the RFU to have another look at Championship funding to ensure a more level competition. Maggs believes a greater […]

Marco Mama’s back to help Bristol achieve dream

17 March 2016 0 comments

Bristol fans should have no concerns over Marco Mama’s commitment to their play-off cause, according to first-team coach Sean Holley. Powerful back-rower Mama, a product […]

STATEMENT: Dwayne Peel retires from rugby

2 March 2016 0 comments

Wales star Dwayne Peel will retire from rugby with immediate effect due to an ongoing shoulder injury. The Bristol skipper – who made twenty appearances […]

Former England Sevens star Nick Royle makes history

27 February 2016 0 comments

Nick Royle’s late try on January 24 helped Caldy snatch victory at Broadstreet, but little did he know it also made him the most prolific […]

Scotland flanker Roddy Grant proving a big hit for Exiles

19 February 2016 0 comments

Roddy Grant has been the catalyst behind London Scottish‘s rise up the Championship table this season according to head coach Peter Richards. Last week’s 19-17 […]

Justin Burnell takes over at Rotherham

16 February 2016 0 comments

Rotherham Titans have announced the appointment of Justin Burnell as their new Head Coach. Burnell will take over with immediate effect replacing former Wales international Mark Jones […]

Mark Jones and Rotherham part ways

16 February 2016 0 comments

Rotherham have today announced the immediate departure of Head Coach Mark Jones. Titans Chairman Nick Cragg commented: “Results over the last 3 months have not […]

We’re flying thanks to Kevin Sinfield says Dave Doherty

16 January 2016 0 comments

Carnegie centurion Dave Doherty credits the British & Irish Cup – and the growing impact of Kevin Sinfield – for the Championship club’s recent revival. […]

Union novice Kevin Sinfield ‘happy to be learning’

1 January 2016 0 comments

Kevin Sinfield has won everything there is to win in Rugby League but he has set himself one last rugby challenge – taking Yorkshire Carnegie […]

RFU ‘should fund welfare’ for Championship players

17 December 2015 0 comments

Nottingham legend Dave Jackson reckons it is high time Championship professionals were properly represented by the Rugby Players’ Association. While Premiership players receive a full […]

Kevin Sinfield ‘so different’ from Sam Burgess switch

4 December 2015 0 comments

Dual code international John Bentley believes Rhinos legend will make a success of his switch to Rugby Union.

Change the maul rule to get brighter rugby

20 November 2015 0 comments

Bedford boss Mike Rayer believes laws relating to the maul need revising after statistics showed that nearly as many tries are being scored by forwards […]

Bristol’s risen Phoenix Gavin Henson is enjoying his revival

17 October 2015 0 comments

The one good thing about hitting rock bottom is that the only way is up – but as Gavin Henson can testify, the climb back is a lot slower than the free fall.

Gavin Henson is even hungrier now after final heartache

23 September 2015 0 comments

Gavin Henson has been backed to be Bristol‘s promotion catalyst by head coach Sean Holley, following the fly-half’s return from serious injury almost a month […]

Ben Prescott forced to retire

16 September 2015 0 comments

London Scottish have today announced that Ben Prescott has been forced to retire from rugby due to a neck and shoulder injury. The prop made […]

Ambitious London Welsh demand clarity on promotion plan

14 August 2015 2 comments

London Welsh head coach Rowland Phillips has called for clarity over promotion arrangements before the new Championship campaign kicks-off on September 5. With Premiership proposals […]

Flyer Josh Drauniniu on crusade to shake off Dean Ryan rejection

16 July 2015 0 comments

After a season to forget with Worcester Josh Drauniniu returns to London Welsh with one goal, to play rugby again. The winger, 29, spent the […]

Play-offs? Not Jersey says cagey boss Harvey Biljon

2 July 2015 1 comment

Jersey rugby director has poured scorn on Justin Burnell’s belief that his side can be Championship play-off candidates next season.

Iain Grieve: RPA must do far more for us in tier two

19 June 2015 1 comment

Former Plymouth Albion captain believes it is imperative Championship players are properly represented by the RPA.

EXCLUSIVE: BT Sport set to showcase Championship rugby

10 June 2015 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE BT Sport are ready to add the Championship to their growing rugby portfolio. The broadcaster is said to be close to agreeing […]

Keep promotion, it gives clubs hope, says RPA boss Damian Hopley

5 June 2015 0 comments

Championship clubs must continue to have access to the top-flight and says the RFU should think carefully before endorsing Premiership plans.

Martin Haag: Don’t stop clubs from daring to dream

9 May 2015 0 comments

No clubs should be denied the chance of ‘doing a Bournemouth’.

Five years? That’s a prison term argue Championship bosses

6 May 2015 2 comments

Championship clubs react furiously to suggestions of a five-year moratorium on promotion and relegation in Premiership.

Danny Cipriani’s advice helps Cooper Vuna get up to speed

6 May 2015 0 comments

Worcester wing sensation Cooper Vuna says advice from former Melbourne Rebels teammate Danny Cipriani has helped him settle into English rugby in double-quick time. Vuna […]

Kevin Sinfield can’t wait to kick off challenge at Yorkshire Carnegie

6 May 2015 2 comments

Leeds outfit the best chance possible of being a success in Rugby Union.

Plymouth Albion statement on James Shanahan

14 April 2015 0 comments

Plymouth Albion and head coach James Shanahan have parted company with three games remaining in the Championship season. The news follows Sunday’s 27-16 defeat to […]

Yorkshire Carnegie appoint Bryan Redpath as head coach

13 March 2015 0 comments

Yorkshire Carnegie have announced that Bryan Redpath will be their new head coach next season. The former scrum-half, 44, who signed a two-year contract, joins […]

EXCLUSIVE: Yorkshire Carnegie suspend Tommy McGee

6 March 2015 0 comments

Sir Ian McGeechan to oversee training in the build-up to Bedford game.

Time that RFU recognised tier two contribution – Peter Vosper

4 March 2015 0 comments

Negotiations between the RFU and the Championship clubs over a new funding deal are nearing completion and Peter Vosper, Plymouth Albion‘s recently appointed chairman, hopes […]

New breed of coaches make us all feel young! – Jonathan Thomas

19 February 2015 0 comments

Worcester Warriors and former Wales back-rower Jonathan Thomas hails the advent of young coaches.

Jim McKay arrival at Worcester shows gulf in club resources

13 February 2015 0 comments

When Nottingham played Championship high-flyers Worcester on Sunday in their second game since moving from 20,000-capacity Meadow Lane to Lady Bay, a training ground with […]

National One salary cap ‘would spell disaster’

13 February 2015 0 comments

“Salary cap would be the death knell for the community game” – Cinderford treasurer Barry Holmes

Dean Ryan: RFU have left second tier to wither

13 February 2015 1 comment

Worcester boss believes the Championship is in crisis and has called for an urgent review of how the RFU is managing English rugby’s second tier.

Nick Abendanon still hopes for an England recall

10 February 2015 0 comments

Europe’s in-form full-back questions the rationale behind England’s policy on overseas-based players.

Tier two players must be ‘part of the union’ – Christian Day

17 December 2014 0 comments

Plans to provide Championship players with full trade union support could become a reality in 2016.

Christian Day demands consistency over concussion protocols

4 December 2014 0 comments

RPA chairman brands inconsistencies in application of concussion protocols at pro level as “stupid”.

EXCLUSIVE: Yorkshire Carnegie sack head coach Gary Mercer

23 November 2014 1 comment

Sixth consecutive league game without a win was the final straw for Kiwi coach.

Plymouth Albion demand review of concussion protocols

21 November 2014 2 comments

Championship club demand a review of concussion protocols after B&I Cup incident.

George Watkins: I’ll win back Bristol fans by playing well

14 November 2014 0 comments

Dream of playing for Wales remains alive despite being released early from his Cardiff Blues contract.

Ignacio Mieres is benefitting from Paul Grayson’s weekly tutorial

17 October 2014 2 comments

Worcester fly-half says ex-England international deserves much of the credit for his improved accuracy in front of goal.

Matthew Morgan to miss Autumn Tests

8 October 2014 1 comment

Matthew Morgan faces a three-month spell on the sidelines after fracturing his ankle. The Bristol fly-half suffered the injury last Saturday in the 59-14 win […]