Rearranged matches 19th March

So in reality it all hinges on Ealing v Pirates next week. What a shame it's not being televised. 

Low scoring draw will do nicely thanks

True enough but any which way exciting times

Champ 22/23 season to start 10th September.

castleparknight wrote: CC too late as they did not apply for the audit - no matter how ridiculous that idea is, 5 months before season end do we audit spend money not knowing the league outcome

Surely an audit would be superfluous if they elected a ground which already qualifies like Sandy Park or Home Park Plymouth. IMO its in rugby's interest to promote Pirates, Ealing or Donny. If they dont do it this year do they try again next season?

Edited by corporalcarrot - 22 Mar 2022 at 08:24

CC, you seem to be confused, the RFU has no interest in Rugby only in the Premiership.

I wish the very best of everything to Ealing, Doncaster, Pirates, and Jersey, the current big four of the Championship. And I hope that whoever wins this year’s league will overcome any issues and get to play in the Premiership next season.

But what about the other eight clubs, assuming London Scottish remain and Caldy get promoted? What are their aspirations?

My brother is a Bedford supporter and says they have no ambition to play in the Premiership. I find this hard to believe. I have been in a packed Goldington Road on several occasions and the atmosphere created was magnificent and worthy of a Premiership game. A full house of 5000 to 6000 is surely good enough. And with some planning this could probably be increased. I don’t know. And with all the develop going on around Bedford, why not plan for a relocation? I understand the 10,001 ruling but perhaps renting the MK Dons stadium is a good short term measure?

Coventry’s situation is similar.

But what about the rest? And as an example, let me use my team, Ampthill. Over the past decade or so they have clawed their way up the leagues and thoroughly deserve their place in the second tier of the English system. But their current facilities are a very long way from allowing the club to progress any further. A very long way. So what is the point of them being in the Championship? Well that’s simple. They have aspirations to get better and ultimately reach the top. Two years ago they announced plans to relocate, but COVID hit and then the RFU drastically cut their funding. Two body blows in one whammy, but they took it on the chin and kept on playing, surprising many people on the way. And now they are biding their time. Still full of ambition but realising it will take some time. They might fail, but going on the results of the first two seasons, they are not out of their rugby depth.

There is nothing anyone could do about COVID. It is just a pity that the influencers at the RFU are such pears. I am sure none of them actually know where Ampthill is!

So what are the aspirations for the likes of Richmond, Hartpury, Nottingham, London Scottish, and Caldy?