2020–21 RFU Championship

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
Date	6 March 2021 — 20 June 2021
Champions	Saracens (3rd title)
Runners-up	Ealing Trailfinders
Matches played	56
Attendance	4,188 (average 75 per match)
Highest attendance	2,000 Saracens vs Ampthill 17 May 2021
Tries scored	430 (average 7.7 per match)
Top point scorer	Owen Farrell (Saracens) 102 points
Top try scorer	Rayn Smid (Ealing Trailfinders) 9 tries
← 2019–20 2021–22 →

Structure

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

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

London

Ampthill

Bedford

Cornish Pirates

Coventry

Doncaster

Hartpury

Jersey Reds

Nottingham

London teams:
Ealing
Richmond
Saracens

Locations of the 2020–21 RFU Championship teams

Richmond

Saracens

Ealing

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

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

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. Cancelled Fixture: Doncaster Knights 4pts; Saracens 2pts

Fixtures

16 January 2021 15:00

Ealing Trailfinders	27–26	Saracens (1 BP)
	Report

Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 0 Referee: Jack Makepeace

23 January 2021 15:00

Doncaster Knights	Cancelled 0–0[14]	Saracens

Castle Park

30 January 2021 15:00

(1 BP) Doncaster Knights	26–46	Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP)
	Report

Castle Park Attendance: 0 Referee: Hamish Smales

6 February 2021 13:00

(1 BP) Saracens	26–39	Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP)
	Report

StoneX Stadium Attendance: 0 Referee: Mike Hudson

13 February 2021 16:15

(1 BP) Saracens	29–10	Doncaster Knights
	Report

StoneX Stadium Referee: Andrew Jackson

20 February 2021 15:00

(1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders	40–20	Doncaster Knights
	Report

Trailfinders Sports Ground

Table

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. Cancelled Fixture: Saracens 0pts; Hartpury University 0pts

Fixtures & Results

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

6 March 2021 13:15

(1 BP) Hartpury	38 – 15	Richmond
	Hartpury University

ALPAS Arena Attendance: 0[a] Referee: Christophe Ridley

6 March 2021 15:00

Cornish Pirates	25 – 17	Saracens
	Pirates

Mennaye Field Attendance: 0[a] Referee: Sara Cox

6 March 2021 15:00

Coventry	10 – 9	Bedford Blues (1 BP)
	Coventry

Butts Park Arena Attendance: 0[a] Referee: Hamish Smales

7 March 2021 13:00

(1 BP) Ampthill	17 – 19	Doncaster Knights
	Ampthill

Dillingham Park Attendance: 0[a] Referee: Simon Harding

7 March 2021 13:00

Nottingham	3 – 52	Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP)
	Trailfinders

Lady Bar Sports Ground Attendance: 0[a] Referee: Jack Makepeace

Bye/s: Jersey Reds

---

Round 2

12 March 2021 18:00

Doncaster Knights	20 – 19	Coventry (1 BP)
	Knights

Castle Park Attendance: 0[a] Referee: Hamish Smales

12 March 2021 19:45

Bedford Blues	33 – 25	Hartpury
	Blues

Goldington Road Attendance: 0[a] Referee: Simon Harding

13 March 2021 13:30

(1 BP) Saracens	45 – 13	Jersey Reds
	Saracens

StoneX Stadium Attendance: 0[a] Referee: Jack Makepeace

13 March 2021 14:00

Richmond	7 – 27	Cornish Pirates (1 BP)
	Richmond

Athletic Ground Attendance: 0[a] Referee: George Selwood

13 March 2021 15:00

(1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders	54 – 6	Ampthill
	Trailfinders

Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 0[a] Referee: Dean Richards

Bye/s: Nottingham

---

Round 3

19 March 2021 18:00

Coventry	19 – 55	Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP)
	Coventry

Butts Park Arena Attendance: 0[a]

19 March 2021 19:30

Hartpury	21 – 32	Doncaster Knights (1 BP)
	Knights

ALPAS Arena Attendance: 0[a]

20 March 2021 13:30

Richmond	23 – 15	Jersey Reds
	Richmond

Athletic Ground Attendance: 0[a]

21 March 2021 12:30

(1 BP) Cornish Pirates	27 – 12	Bedford Blues
	Pirates

Mennaye Field Attendance: 0[a]

21 March 2021 13:00

(1 BP) Ampthill	31 – 15	Nottingham
	Ampthill

Dillingham Park Attendance: 0[a]

Bye/s: Saracens

---

Round 4

27 March 2021 13:00

(1 BP) Bedford Blues	20 – 25	Jersey Reds
	Blues

Goldington Road Attendance: 0[a]

27 March 2021 15:00

Doncaster Knights	17 – 15	Cornish Pirates (1 BP)
	Knights

Castle Park Attendance: 0[a]

27 March 2021 17:45

Nottingham	24 – 36	Coventry (1 BP)
	Nottingham

Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 0[a]

28 March 2021 14:15

Richmond	3 – 32	Saracens (1 BP)
	Richmond

Athletic Ground Attendance: 0[a]

28 March 2021 15:00

(1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders	75 – 19	Hartpury
	Trailfinders

Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 0[a]

Bye/s: Ampthill

---

Round 5

10 April 2021 13:30

Cornish Pirates	10 – 38	Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP)
	Trailfinders

Mennaye Field Attendance: 0[a]

10 April 2021 14:30

Doncaster Knights	22 – 10	Jersey Reds
	Knights

Castle Park Attendance: 0[a]

10 April 2021 16:30

Hartpury	15 – 13	Nottingham (1 BP)
	Hartpury

ALPAS Arena Attendance: 0[a]

11 April 2021 13:00

(1 BP) Saracens	54 – 13	Bedford Blues
	Saracens

StoneX Stadium Attendance: 0[a]

11 April 2021 14:30

(1 BP) Coventry	26 – 15	Ampthill
	Coventry

Butts Park Arena Attendance: 0[a]

Bye/s: Richmond

---

Round 6

17 April 2021 12:30

Nottingham	22 – 33	Cornish Pirates (1 BP)
	Pirates

Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 0[b]

17 April 2021 13:00

(1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders	64 – 17	Jersey Reds
	Trailfinders

Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 0[b]

17 April 2021 16:15

(1 BP) Bedford Blues	38 – 10	Richmond
	Blues

Goldington Road Attendance: 0[b]

18 April 2021 13:00

(1 BP) Ampthill	43 – 41	Hartpury (2 BP)
	Ampthill

Dillingham Park Attendance: 0[b]

18 April 2021 15:00

Doncaster Knights	15 – 50	Saracens (1 BP)
	Knights

Castle Park Attendance: 0[b]

Bye/s: Coventry

---

Round 7

24 April 2021 13:00

Hartpury	24 – 47	Coventry (1 BP)
	Hartpury

ALPAS Arena Attendance: 0[b]

24 April 2021 13:30

(1 BP) Cornish Pirates	18 – 20	Ampthill
	Pirates

Mennaye Field Attendance: 0[b]

24 April 2021 15:00

(1 BP) Jersey Reds	55 – 12	Nottingham
	Reds

Stade Santander International Attendance: 1,031[c]

24 April 2021 15:00

Richmond	12 – 40	Doncaster Knights (1 BP)
	Richmond

Athletic Ground Attendance: 0[b]

25 April 2021 15:00

(1 BP) Saracens	48 – 20	Ealing Trailfinders
	Trailfinders

StoneX Stadium Attendance: 0[b]

Bye/s: Bedford Blues

---

Round 8

1 May 2021 13:45

Ampthill	14 – 29	Jersey Reds (1 BP)
	Ampthill

Dillingham Park Attendance: 0[b]

1 May 2021 15:00

Coventry	19 – 30	Cornish Pirates
	Coventry

Butts Park Arena Attendance: 0[b]

1 May 2021 15:30

(1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders	69 – 7	Richmond
	Trailfinders

Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 0[b]

1 May 2021 17:30

Nottingham	0 – 56	Saracens (1 BP)
	Saracens

Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 0[b]

2 May 2021 13:00

(1 BP) Doncaster Knights	27 – 19	Bedford Blues
	Knights

Castle Park Attendance: 0[b]

Bye/s: Hartpury

---

Round 9

14 May 2021 19:45

Bedford Blues	17 – 40	Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP)
	Trailfinders

Goldington Road Attendance: 0[b]

15 May 2021 15:00

Jersey Reds	10 – 34	Coventry (1 BP)
	Reds

Stade Santander International Attendance: 1,157[c]

15 May 2021 15:00

Richmond	17 – 34	Nottingham (1 BP)
	Richmond

Athletic Ground Attendance: 0[b]

15 May 2021 15:30

(1 BP) Cornish Pirates	52 – 26	Hartpury (1 BP)
	Pirates

Mennaye Field Attendance: 0[b]

17 May 2021 19:30

(1 BP) Saracens	69 – 12	Ampthill
	Saracens

StoneX Stadium Attendance: 2,000[d]

Bye/s: Doncaster Knights

---

Round 10

22 May 2021 13:00

Hartpury	19 – 50	Jersey Reds (1 BP)
	Hartpury

ALPAS Arena Attendance: [d]

22 May 2021 15:00

(1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders	38 – 15	Doncaster Knights
	Trailfinders

Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: [d]

22 May 2021 17:00

Coventry	0 – 73	Saracens (1 BP)
	Saracens

Butts Park Arena Attendance: [d]

23 May 2021 13:00

(1 BP) Ampthill	31 – 22	Richmond
	Ampthill

Dillingham Park Attendance: [d]

23 May 2021 13:00

Nottingham	22 – 20	Bedford Blues (1 BP)
	Nottingham

Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: [d]

Bye/s: Cornish Pirates

---

Round 11

29 May 2021 14:00

Saracens	Cancelled 0 – 0[e]	Hartpury

StoneX Stadium

29 May 2021 14:00

Richmond	22 – 42	Coventry (1 BP)
	Richmond

Athletic Ground Attendance: [d]

29 May 2021 14:00

(1 BP) Bedford Blues	32 – 28	Ampthill (2 BP)
	Blues

Goldington Road Attendance: [d]

29 May 2021 15:00

(1 BP) Jersey Reds	32 – 31	Cornish Pirates (2 BP)
	Reds

Stade Santander International Attendance: [c]

29 May 2021 16:30

(1 BP) Doncaster Knights	29 – 24	Nottingham (1 BP)

Castle Park Attendance: [d]

Bye/s: Ealing Trailfinders

Final

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

13 June 2021 16:30

Ealing Trailfinders	0 – 60	Saracens
	Report	Try: 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)

Team details

FB 15 David Johnston RW 14 Dean Hammond OC 13 Max Bodilly IC 12 Matt Gordon LW 11 James Cordy-Redden  47' FH 10 Craig Willis SH 9 Craig Hampson N8 8 Rayn Smid (c) OF 7 Simon Uzokwe  40' BF 6 Kieran Murphy RL 5 James Cannon LL 4 Bobby de Wee TP 3 Kyle Whyte  36' HK 2 Shaun Malton LP 1 Will Davis  40' Substitutions: HK 16 Michael van Vuuren PR 17 James Gibbons  40' PR 18 Lewis Thiede  36' LK 19 Simon Linsell FL 20 Guy Thompson  40' 64' to 74' SH 21 Jordan Burns FB 22 Luke Daniels  47' FL 23 Malon Al-Jiboori Coach: Ben Ward FB 15 Alex Goode  76' RW 14 Alex Lewington OC 13 Elliot Daly  62' IC 12 Nick Tompkins LW 11 Sean Maitland FH 10 Owen Farrell (c)  76' SH 9 Aled Davies N8 8 Billy Vunipola OF 7 Jackson Wray BF 6 Michael Rhodes  49' RL 5 Tim Swinson  66' LL 4 Maro Itoje TP 3 Vincent Koch  60' HK 2 Jamie George  62' LP 1 Mako Vunipola  57' Substitutions: HK 16 Tom Woolstencroft  62' PR 17 Ralph Adams-Hale  57' PR 18 Alec Clarey  60' LK 19 Callum Hunter-Hill  66' FL 20 Sean Reffell  49' SH 21 Tom Whiteley  76' CE 22 Duncan Taylor  62' WG 23 Rotimi Segun  76' Coach: Mark McCall Man of the Match: Tim Swinson (Saracens) Assistant referees: Paul Dix Jamie Leahy Television match official: Stuart Terheege

Second leg

20 June 2021 15:30

Saracens	57 – 15	Ealing 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'	Report	Try: Penalty try 1' Burns 80' m Pen: Willis (1/1) 26'

StoneX Stadium Attendance: 2,000 Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)

Team details

FB 15 Alex Goode RW 14 Alex Lewington OC 13 Elliot Daly  54' IC 12 Nick Tompkins LW 11 Sean Maitland FH 10 Owen Farrell (c)  54' SH 9 Aled Davies  58' N8 8 Billy Vunipola  62' OF 7 Jackson Wray 1' to 11' BF 6 Michael Rhodes  51' RL 5 Tim Swinson LL 4 Maro Itoje  54' TP 3 Vincent Koch  54' HK 2 Jamie George  54' LP 1 Mako Vunipola  54' Substitutions: HK 16 Tom Woolstencroft  54' PR 17 Ralph Adams-Hale  54' PR 18 Alec Clarey  54' LK 19 Callum Hunter-Hill  54' FL 20 Andy Christie  62' SH 21 Tom Whiteley  58' FH 22 Manu Vunipola  54' CE 23 Duncan Taylor  54' Coach: Mark McCall FB 15 David Johnston RW 14 Luke Daniels  51' OC 13 Max Bodilly IC 12 Pat Howard  62' LW 11 Angus Kernohan  58' FH 10 Craig Willis SH 9 Craig Hampson N8 8 Rayn Smid (c) OF 7 Guy Thompson BF 6 Malon Al-Jiboori RL 5 Harry Casson  51' LL 4 Bobby de Wee TP 3 Elliot Millar-Mills  54'  72' HK 2 Shaun Malton  54' LP 1 Kyle Whyte  54' Substitutions: HK 16 Michael van Vuuren  54' PR 17 James Gibbons  54' PR 18 Lewis Thiede 72' to end'  54' LK 19 Simon Linsell  51' FL 20 Simon Uzokwe  54'  72' SH 21 Jordan Burns  62' FH 22 Bill Johnston  58' FL 23 Harry Dugmore  51'  54' Coach: Ben Ward Man of the Match: Jackson Wray (Saracens) Assistant referees: Matthew Carley Karl Dickson Television match official: Claire Hodnett

Leading scorers

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.

Most points As of 20 June 2021 Source:[19] Rank Player Club Points 1 Owen Farrell Saracens 102 2 Brendan Cope Jersey Reds 84 3 Sam Olver Doncaster Knights 75 4 Tony Fenner Coventry 68 5 Craig Willis Ealing Trailfinders 63 6 Will Maisey Bedford Blues 54 Joshua Bragman Hartpury University 8 Louis Grimoldby Ampthill 47 9 Rayn Smid Ealing Trailfinders 45 10 Alex Lewington Saracens 40

Most tries As of 20 June 2021 Source:[19] Rank Player Club Tries 1 Rayn Smid Ealing Trailfinders 9 2 Alex Lewington Saracens 8 3 Sean Maitland Saracens 7 Jordan Burns Ealing Trailfinders Dan Frost Cornish Pirates 6 Nick Tompkins Saracens 6 Max Bodilly Ealing Trailfinders Tom Duncan Cornish Pirates Ben Foley Hartpury University 10 6+ players tied Various 5

Notes

1. Match played behind closed doors due to local restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Match played behind closed doors due to national restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. Spectators limited due to island restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
4. 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]