Cambridge to host newly-promoted Chinnor on opening day of new RFU Championship season

Cambridge will have home advantage during the opening weekend of the 2024/25 RFU Championship season.

Richie Williams’ side, who finished bottom last term but were reprieved from relegation, are set to welcome newly-promoted Chinnor to Ellgia Fields on Saturday, 21 September.

Over the Christmas period Cambridge will face a local derby away at Bedford on 28 December, while they are set to sign off for the campaign on Saturday, 31 May in a reverse of the opening-day clash against Chinnor.

After last year’s drop out of Jersey left the league with 11 teams, the new season will mark a return to 12 clubs following the promotion of Chinnor from National League One.

A two-leg play-off for elevation to the Gallagher Premiership will take place on the weekends of 6-8 June and 13-15 June between the top placed team in the Championship – provided it meets the minimum standards criteria – and the last placed team in the Gallagher Premiership.

Championship committee chairman, Simon Halliday, said: “The value of the Championship was clear for all to see last season.

“The quality of rugby played was exceptional, crowds were up, and they were hugely entertained by fast, open and positive play which was particularly evident in the Premiership Cup.

“The role of our league as a conveyor belt of talent for English rugby will continue to feature strongly as we build and invest in our competition through the development of a new league in 25/26.

“The idea of promotion and relegation is now a long-term reality after recent council decisions and for the first time in some years there is the genuine chance for our clubs to challenge for the top table in English rugby. This brings equivalent excitement and jeopardy to the Premiership which we all desire and which is the lifeblood of any competition.”