Championship Launches With Greene King Ipa
The Greene King IPA Championship season officially launched at St Margaret’s Pub & Dine on Wednesday, which played host to all twelve captains from the second tier of professional rugby, as well as former England and Scotland head coach Andy Robinson, now in charge at Bristol Rugby.
Having secured a title sponsor in Greene King IPA, the Championship is set to begin its new season by continuing its policy on innovation.
The league debuted Ref Cam, half-time interviews and changing room access in the second tier last year, and the Championship and Sky Sports have also extend their partnership to include 18 games this season.
Speaking at the launch, RFU professional rugby director Rob Andrew said: ‘Only five years ago, we were launching the first season of the Championship at Twickenham, signalling a new second tier of professional rugby. Now we are approaching the fifth season of the competition and under a new sponsor in Greene King IPA.’
‘The Championship continues to produce exciting young talent, and we have seen a number of those players go onto the international stage, with the 2013 British & Irish Lions and England U20s Junior World Championship squads both claiming Championship players. It is clear to see the positive impact the second tier of professional rugby has on the game in this country.’
The fifth season of the Championship will kick-off with the Greene King IPA 1 Big Rugby Weekend, a triple bill of double headers taking place across three neutral venues on 14th & 15th September.
Designed to start the new season with a festival of Championship rugby, the 1 Big Rugby Weekend will see newcomers Ealing Trailfinders take on London Scottish before 2012 champions London Welsh mark their return to the competition against last season’s runner-up Bedford Blues.
Taking place at the ground of former Championship club Doncaster Knights, Moseley will do battle with Rotherham Titans while last year’s losing semi-finalists Nottingham Rugby and Leeds Carnegie will go head-to-head at Castle Park.
In the final double header, the West Country clubs come out in force at Sandy Park, home of inaugural Championship winners Exeter Chiefs.
Under the reigns of new head coach James Shanahan, Plymouth Albion will take to the field against Jersey in the first fixture of the day, before Andy Robinson’s men from Bristol face Cornish Pirates. Both fixtures are live on Sky Sports HD.
