# 2015–16 RFU Championship

The 2015–16 RFU Championship, known for sponsorship reasons as the Greene King IPA Championship, is the seventh season of the professionalised format of the RFU Championship, the second tier of the English rugby union league system run by the Rugby Football Union. It is contested by eleven English clubs and one from Jersey in the Channel Islands. This is the third year of the competition's sponsorship with Greene King Brewery, which runs until 2017. The twelve teams in the RFU Championship also compete in the British and Irish Cup, along with clubs from Ireland and Wales. Some matches in the RFU Championship are broadcast on Sky Sports.
Moseley are relegated into the 2016–17 National League 1 after finishing bottom of the table. After seven years of trying for promotion (five of which they actually topped the league stage including during this season), Bristol finally did it. In front of a divisional and club record crowd of 16,084, Bristol managed to gain promotion to the Aviva Premiership despite losing 32–34 to away side (and league stage runners up), Doncaster Knights, due to an emphatic first leg victory, to go up 60 - 47 on aggregate.

## Structure

The Championship's structure has all the teams playing each other on a home and away basis. The play-off structure will remain the same as the previous year. The top four teams at the end of the home-and-way season qualify for the promotion play-offs which follow a 1 v 4, 2 v 3 system. The winners have to meet the RFU's Minimum Standards Criteria in order to be promoted to the Premiership. There is no promotion if grounds fail to meet the criteria. There are no relegation play-offs; the bottom team is automatically relegated. This the last year of a 2012 funding agreement with the RFU, where each club would have been given a grant of £380,000. Following claims, by Championship teams, including Plymouth Albion, that the current arrangement was not enough to sustain professional clubs, the RFU increased the annual funding to over £500,000 per club in a new agreement which will last until 2020.

## Teams

Ten of the teams, listed below, played in the championship last season. Worcester Warriors were promoted to the English Premiership defeating Bristol in the 2014–15 RFU Championship play-off final and are replaced by London Welsh, following their relegation from the 2014–15 English Premiership, after finishing bottom of the table and earning only one point. Plymouth Albion were relegated from the Championship after finishing bottom in the 2014–15 RFU Championship, ending a thirteen-year spell in the second tier of English rugby. They are replaced by Ealing Trailfinders who were promoted as champions of 2014–15 National League 1, returning to the RFU Championship after relegation the previous year.
| Club | Stadium | Capacity | Area | Captain | DOR/Head Coach |
| Bedford Blues | Goldington Road | 6,000 | Bedford, Bedfordshire | Nick Fenton-Wells | Mike Rayer |
| Bristol | Ashton Gate Stadium | 16,600 | Bristol | Dwayne Peel | Andy Robinson |
| Cornish Pirates | Mennaye Field | 4,000 (2,200 Seats) | Penzance, Cornwall | Chris Morgan | Ian Davies |
| Doncaster Knights | Castle Park rugby stadium | 5,000 | Doncaster, South Yorkshire | Michael Hills | Clive Griffiths |
| Ealing Trailfinders | Trailfinders Sports Ground | 3,020 (1,020 seats) | West Ealing, London | Danny Kenny | Ben Ward |
| Jersey | St Peter | 5,000 | Saint Peter, Jersey | Alex Rae | Harvey Biljon |
| London Scottish | Athletic Ground, Richmond | 4,500 | Richmond, London | Mark Bright | Mike Friday |
| London Welsh | Old Deer Park | 5,850 (1,000 seats) | Richmond, London | Matt Corker | Rowland Phillips |
| Moseley | Billesley Common | 3,000+ | Birmingham, West Midlands | Mike Powell | Kevin Maggs |
| Nottingham Rugby | Lady Bay Sports Ground | 2,000 (est) | Nottingham, Nottinghamshire | Daniel Montagu | Martin Haag |
| Rotherham Titans | Clifton Lane Herringthorpe Playing Fields | 2,500 Unknown capacity | Rotherham, South Yorkshire | Tom Holmes | Lee Blackett |
| Yorkshire Carnegie | Headingley Carnegie Stadium | 21,062 | Leeds, West Yorkshire | Ryan Burrows | Ian McGeechan |
* ↑ Capacity at Ashton Gate was down from 21,497 to 16,600 due to redevelopment work to modernise the stadium up to 27,000 for the 2016–17 season.

## Table

2015–16 RFU Championship table :
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TB | LB | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
| 1 | Bristol (C) | 22 | 20 | 0 | 2 | 718 | 397 | +321 | 14 | 1 | 95 | Promotion play-off place |
| 2 | Doncaster Knights (F) | 22 | 15 | 2 | 5 | 588 | 470 | +118 | 10 | 5 | 79 | Promotion play-off place |
| 3 | Yorkshire Carnegie (SF) | 22 | 14 | 0 | 8 | 655 | 466 | +189 | 15 | 7 | 78 | Promotion play-off place |
| 4 | Bedford Blues (SF) | 22 | 12 | 0 | 10 | 623 | 599 | +24 | 10 | 6 | 64 | Promotion play-off place |
| 5 | London Welsh | 22 | 11 | 1 | 10 | 442 | 528 | −86 | 9 | 3 | 58 | |
| 6 | Jersey | 22 | 11 | 1 | 10 | 465 | 466 | −1 | 5 | 6 | 57 | |
| 7 | Nottingham Rugby | 22 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 494 | 483 | +11 | 9 | 7 | 56 | |
| 8 | London Scottish | 22 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 463 | 453 | +10 | 2 | 7 | 49 | |
| 9 | Cornish Pirates | 22 | 8 | 1 | 13 | 530 | 570 | −40 | 8 | 7 | 49 | |
| 10 | Rotherham Titans | 22 | 8 | 0 | 14 | 454 | 621 | −167 | 3 | 3 | 38 | |
| 11 | Ealing Trailfinders | 22 | 6 | 1 | 15 | 523 | 605 | −82 | 5 | 6 | 37 | |
| 12 | Moseley (R) | 22 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 416 | 715 | −299 | 6 | 4 | 26 | Relegation place |
* Number of matches won
* Difference between points for and against
* Total number of points for
* Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
* Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled

## Fixtures
### Round 1

* 4 September 2015 19:45
| (BP) London Scottish | 19 – 23 | Moseley |
| | Scottish Moseley | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 888 Referee: Darren Gamage
* 5 September 2015 14:30
| (2BP) Doncaster Knights | 33 – 35 | London Welsh (BP) |
| | Welsh | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 1,019 Referee: Greg MacDonald
* 6 September 2015 14:00
| Rotherham Titans | 24 – 23 | Ealing Trailfinders (BP) |
| | Rotherham Ealing | |
* Herringthorpe Playing Fields Attendance: 887 Referee: Matthew O’Grady
* 6 September 2015 15:00
| (BP) Bristol Rugby | 23 – 29 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| | Bristol Bedford | |
* Ashton Gate Attendance: 6,063 Referee: Tom Foley
* 6 September 2015 15:00
| Cornish Pirates | 18 – 14 | Nottingham (BP) |
| | Pirates Nottingham | |
* The Mennaye Attendance: 1,447 Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
* 6 September 2015 15:00
| (BP) Yorkshire Carnegie | 39 – 22 | Jersey |
| | Carnegie Jersey | |
* Headingley Attendance: 2,037 Referee: Andrew Jackson
* ↑ Rotherham Titans played at Herringthorpe Stadium due to the local cricket club using Clifton Road on the same date.

### Round 2

* 12 September 2015 15:00
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 38 – 32 | Moseley (2BP) |
| | Bedford Moseley | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 2,239 Referee: Simon Harding
* 12 September 2015 15:00
| Ealing Trailfinders | 17 – 37 | London Scottish (BP) |
| | Ealing Scottish | |
* Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 744 Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
* 12 September 2015 15:00
| Jersey | 17 – 15 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| | Jersey Pirates | |
* St Peter Attendance: 2,146 Referee: Andrew Small
* 13 September 2015 14:00
| Rotherham Titans | 11 – 20 | Yorkshire Carnegie |
| | Rotherham Carnegie | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,437 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
* 13 September 2015 15:00
| (2BP) Nottingham Rugby | 30 – 36 | Doncaster Knights (BP) |
| | Nottingham | |
* Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 794 Referee: Darren Gamage
* 13 September 2015 15:15
| London Welsh | 22 – 36 | Bristol Rugby (BP) |
| | Welsh Bristol | |
* Old Deer Park Attendance: 2,032 Referee: Greg Garner

### Round 3

* 19 September 2015 14:30
| Doncaster Knights | 31 – 27 | Jersey (BP) |
| | Jersey | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 1,052 Referee: Tom Foley
* 19 September 2015 14:30
| London Scottish | 24 – 12 | Bedford Blues |
| | Scottish Bedford | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,154 Referee: Matt Carley
* 19 September 2015 15:00
| Moseley | 6 – 17 | London Welsh |
| | Moseley Welsh | |
* Billesley Common Attendance: 966 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
* 20 September 2015 15:00
| (BP) Bristol Rugby | 46 – 31 | Nottingham Rugby (BP) |
| | Bristol | |
* Ashton Gate Attendance: 5,544 Referee: Dean Richards
* 20 September 2015 15:00
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 24 – 26 | Rotherham Titans |
| | Pirates Rotherham | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,274 Referee: Luke Pearce
* 20 September 2015 15:00
| (BP) Yorkshire Carnegie | 40 – 28 | Ealing Trailfinders (BP) |
| | Carnegie Ealing | |
* Headingley Attendance: 1,938 Referee: Greg MacDonald

### Round 4

* 26 September 2015 14:00
| (BP) London Welsh | 30 – 24 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Old Deer Park Attendance: 1,697 Referee: Darren Gamage
* 26 September 2015 15:00
| Ealing Trailfinders | 28 – 17 | Cornish Pirates |
| | Report | |
* Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 863 Referee: Simon Harding
* 26 September 2015 15:00
| Jersey | 7 – 24 | Bristol Rugby |
| | Report | |
* St Peter Attendance: 2,053 Referee: Luke Pearce
* 26 September 2015 15:00
| Rotherham Titans | 30 – 23 | Doncaster Knights (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,721 Referee: Andrew Jackson
* 26 September 2015 15:00
| (2BP) Yorkshire Carnegie | 27 – 30 | London Scottish |
| | Report | |
* Headingley Attendance: 1,329 Referee: Steve Lee
* 27 September 2015 15:00
| (BP) Nottingham Rugby | 34 – 22 | Moseley |
| | Report | |
* Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 623 Referee: Greg MacDonald

### Round 5

* 3 October 2015 14:30
| Doncaster Knights | 23 – 17 | Ealing Trailfinders (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 1,231 Referee: Steve Lee
* 3 October 2015 14:30
| London Scottish | 11 – 10 | London Welsh (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,438 Referee: Andrew Small
* 3 October 2015 15:00
| Bedford Blues | 28 – 19 | Nottingham |
| | Report | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 2,101 Referee: Greg Garner
* 3 October 2015 15:00
| Moseley | 18 – 29 | Jersey |
| | Report | |
* Billesley Common Attendance: 830 Referee: Matthew O'Grady
* 4 October 2015 15:00
| (BP) Bristol Rugby | 28 – 12 | Rotherham Titans |
| | Report | |
* Ashton Gate Attendance: 4,560 Referee: Craig Maxwell Keys
* 4 October 2015 15:00
| Cornish Pirates | 13 – 26 | Yorkshire Carnegie (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,184 Referee: Tom Foley

### Round 6

* 9 October 2015 19:45
| Nottingham Rugby | 30 – 10 | London Welsh |
| | Report | |
* Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 797 Referee: Luke Pearce
* 9 October 2015 20:00
| Yorkshire Carnegie | 27 – 20 | Doncaster Knights (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Headingley Attendance: 2,373 Referee: Andrew Small
* 10 October 2015 14:45
| (BP) Jersey | 34 – 27 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| | Report | |
* St Peter Attendance: 2,010 Referee: Andrew Jackson
* 10 October 2015 15:00
| (BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 21 – 26 | Bristol Rugby |
| | Report | |
* Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 874 Referee: Ian Tempest
* 10 October 2015 15:00
| (BP) Rotherham Titans | 37 – 27 | Moseley |
| | Report | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,132 Referee: Dean Richards
* 11 October 2015 15:00
| Cornish Pirates | 21 – 17 | London Scottish (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,054 Referee: Greg Garner

### Round 7

* 16 October 2015 19:30
| (BP) Moseley | 38 – 25 | Ealing Trailfinders |
| | Report | |
* Billesley Common Attendance: 975 Referee: Darren Gamage
* 16 October 2015 19:45
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 46 – 28 | Rotherham Titans (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 2,574 Referee: Simon Harding
* 16 October 2015 19:45
| (BP) London Scottish | 17 – 18 | Nottingham Rugby |
| | Report | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 894 Referee: Matthew O'Grady
* 17 October 2015 14:00
| (BP) Doncaster Knights | 28 – 11 | Cornish Pirates |
| | Report | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 1,219 Referee: Ian Tempest
* 17 October 2015 14:00
| London Welsh | 14 – 8 | Jersey (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Old Deer Park Attendance: 842 Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
* 18 October 2015 13:30
| (BP) Bristol Rugby | 47 – 42 | Yorkshire Carnegie (2BP) |
| | Report | |
* Ashton Gate Attendance: 5,185 Referee: Andrew Jackson

### Round 8

* 23 October 2015 19:45
| (BP) Jersey | 27 – 29 | Nottingham Rugby (BP) |
| | Report | |
* St Peter Attendance: 2,016 Referee: Ian Tempest
* 24 October 2015 14:00
| Cornish Pirates | 10 – 40 | Bristol Rugby (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,890 Referee: Darren Gamage
* 24 October 2015 14:00
| Doncaster Knights | 19 – 10 | London Scottish |
| | Report | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 1,159 Referee: John Meredith
* 24 October 2015 14:00
| (BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 21 – 23 | Bedford Blues |
| | Report | |
* Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 748 Referee: Steve Lee
* 24 October 2015 14:00
| Rotherham Titans | 32 – 16 | London Welsh |
| | Report | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,087 Referee: Andrew Jackson
* 25 October 2015 14:00
| (BP) Yorkshire Carnegie | 52 – 19 | Moseley |
| | Report | |
* Headingley Attendance: 1,821 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth

### Round 9

* 6 November 2015 19:30
| (BP) Moseley | 24 – 19 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Billesely Common Attendance: 1,145 Referee: Andrew Small
* 6 November 2015 19:45
| Bristol Rugby | 27 – 39 | Doncaster Knights (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Ashton Gate Attendance: 6,979 Referee: Dean Richards
* 7 November 2015 14:00
| London Scottish | 5 – 20 | Jersey |
| | Report | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,007 Referee: Steve Lee
* 7 November 2015 14:00
| London Welsh | 3 – 27 | Ealing Trailfinders |
| | Report | |
* Old Deer Park Attendance: 803 Referee: Simon Harding
* 7 November 2015 15:00
| Bedford Blues | 22 – 21 | Yorkshire Carnegie (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 2,224 Referee: Matthew O'Grady
* 8 November 2015 15:00
| (BP) Nottingham Rugby | 11 – 17 | Rotherham Titans |
| | Report | |
* Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 954 Referee: John Meredith

### Round 10

* 27 November 2015 19:45
| (BP) Bristol Rugby | 37 – 13 | London Scottish |
| | Report | |
* Ashton Gate Attendance: 7,145 Referee: Andrew Small
* 27 November 2015 20:00
| (BP) Yorkshire Carnegie | 7 – 10 | London Welsh |
| | Report | |
* Headingley Attendance: 3,672 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
* 28 November 2015 14:00
| Rotherham Titans | 6 – 27 | Jersey (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 895 Referee: John Meredith
* 28 November 2015 14:30
| (BP) Doncaster Knights | 34 – 11 | Moseley |
| | Report | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 1,493 Referee: Andrew Jackson
* 28 November 2015 15:00
| (BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 22 – 34 | Nottingham Rugby (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 310 Referee: Greg Macdonald
* 29 November 2015 15:00
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 32 – 31 | Bedford Blues (2BP) |
| | Report | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,025 Referee: Dean Richards

### Round 11

* 4 December 2015 19:45
| (BP) Jersey | 35 – 7 | Ealing Trailfinders |
| | Report | |
* St Peter Attendance: 2,100 Referee: Ian Tempest
* 4 December 2015 19:45
| Nottingham Rugby | 14 – 13 | Yorkshire Carnegie (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 1,864 Referee: Steve Lee
* 5 December 2015 14:00
| London Welsh | 19 – 38 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Old Deer Park Attendance: 1,055 Referee: Darren Gamage
* 5 December 2015 15:00
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 13 – 18 | Doncaster Knights |
| | Report | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 2,077 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
* 5 December 2015 15:00
| London Scottish | 21 – 16 | Rotherham Titans (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 884 Referee: Dean Richards
* 5 December 2015 15:00
| (BP) Moseley | 28 – 39 | Bristol Rugby (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Billesley Common Attendance: 993 Referee: Matt O'Grady

### Round 12

* 26 December 2015 14:30
| Doncaster Knights | 26 – 12 | Nottingham Rugby |
| | Report | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 2,921 Referee: Matthew O'Grady
* 26 December 2015 15:00
| (2BP) London Scottish | 22 – 28 | Ealing Trailfinders (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,260 Referee: Andrew Jackson
* 26 December 2015 15:00
| (2BP) Moseley | 24 – 31 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Billesely Common Attendance: 1,431 Referee: Craig Maxwell Keys
* 27 December 2015 14:00
| Cornish Pirates | 16 – 10 | Jersey (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 2,340 Referee: Andrew Small
* 27 December 2015 15:00
| (BP) Bristol Rugby | 35 – 0 | London Welsh |
| | Report | |
* Ashton Gate Attendance: 11,170 Referee: Luke Pearce
* 27 December 2015 15:00
| (BP) Yorkshire Carnegie | 43 – 9 | Rotherham Titans |
| | Report | |
* Headingley Attendance: 3,292 Referee: Greg Macdonald

### Round 13

* 1 January 2016 15:00
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 31 – 19 | London Scottish |
| | Report | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 4,341 Referee: Ian Tempest
* 2 January 2016 13:30
| (BP) London Welsh | 32 – 6 | Moseley |
| | Report | |
* Old Deer Park Attendance: 1,327 Referee: Darren Gamage
* 2 January 2016 14:00
| Rotherham Titans | 21 – 38 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,307 Referee: Andrew Jackson
* 2 January 2016 14:30
| Jersey | 17 – 17 | Doncaster Knights |
| | Report | |
* St Peter Attendance: 1,870 Referee: Dean Richards
* 2 January 2016 14:30
| (BP) Nottingham Rugby | 10 – 16 | Bristol Rugby |
| | Report | |
* Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 1,197 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
* 2 January 2016 15:00
| Ealing Trailfinders | 29 – 45 | Yorkshire Carnegie (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 621 Referee: Matt O'Grady

### Round 14

* 30 January 2016 15:00
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 64 – 20 | London Welsh |
| | Report | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 2,612 Referee: Andrew Small
* 30 January 2016 15:00
| London Scottish | 22 – 20 | Yorkshire Carnegie (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,236 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
* 30 January 2016 15:00
| Moseley | 8 – 24 | Nottingham Rugby |
| | Report | |
* Billesley Common Attendance: 1,011 Referee: Ian Tempest
* 31 January 2016 15:00
| (BP) Bristol Rugby | 35 – 12 | Jersey |
| | Report | |
* Ashton Gate Attendance: 6,398 Referee: Matt Carley
* 31 January 2016 15:00
| Cornish Pirates | 30 – 15 | Ealing Trailfinders |
| | Report | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,348 Referee: John Meredith
* 31 January 2016 15:15
| (BP) Doncaster Knights | 34 – 24 | Rotherham Titans |
| | Report | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 3,287 Referee: Andrew Jackson

### Round 15

* 6 February 2016 14:00
| (BP) London Welsh | 17 – 19 | London Scottish |
| | Report | |
* Old Deer Park Attendance: 1,207 Referee: Dean Richards
* 6 February 2016 14:00
| Rotherham Titans | 17 – 36 | Bristol Rugby (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,236 Referee: Greg MacDonald
* 6 February 2016 15:00
| Ealing Trailfinders | 17 – 17 | Doncaster Knights |
| | Report | |
* Trailfinders Ground Attendance: 425 Referee: Andrew Small
* 6 February 2016 15:00
| Jersey | 22 – 18 | Moseley (BP) |
| | Report | |
* St Peter Attendance: 1,526 Referee: Steve Lee
* 7 February 2016 15:00
| (BP) Nottingham Rugby | 18 – 20 | Bedford Blues |
| | Report | |
* Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 1,067 Referee: John Meredith
* 7 February 2016 15:00
| (BP) Yorkshire Carnegie | 33 – 26 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Headingley Stadium Attendance: 2,107 Referee: Matthew O'Grady

### Round 16

* 12 February 2016 15:00
| (BP) Bristol Rugby | 63 – 10 | Ealing Trailfinders |
| | Report | |
* Ashton Gate Attendance: 5,517 Referee: Steve Lee
* 13 February 2016 14:00
| (BP) London Welsh | 22 – 18 | Nottingham (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Old Deer Park Attendance: 730 Referee: Greg Macdonald
* 13 February 2016 14:30
| (BP) Doncaster Knights | 34 – 28 | Yorkshire Carnegie (2BP) |
| | Report | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 2,331 Referee: Luke Pearce
* 13 February 2016 15:00
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 18 – 25 | Jersey |
| | Report | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 2,162 Referee: Matthew O'Grady
* 13 February 2016 15:00
| London Scottish | 21 – 10 | Cornish Pirates |
| | Report | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,109 Referee: Chris Riley
* 13 February 2016 15:00
| Moseley | 16 – 11 | Rotherham Titans (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Billesley Common Attendance: 726 Referee: Darren Gamage

### Round 17

* 27 February 2016 14:00
| (BP) Jersey | 14 – 21 | London Welsh |
| | Report | |
* St Peter Attendance: 2,009 Referee: Michael Hudson
* 27 February 2016 14:00
| (BP) Rotherham Titans | 39 – 31 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,107 Referee: Steve Lee
* 27 February 2016 15:00
| (BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 55 – 15 | Moseley |
| | Report | |
* Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 626 Referee: Andrew Small
* 28 February 2016 15:00
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 19 – 26 | Doncaster Knights |
| | Report | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,231 Referee: Greg Macdonald
* 28 February 2016 15:00
| Nottingham Rugby | 17 – 3 | London Scottish |
| | Report | |
* Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 940 Referee: Fergus Kirby
* 28 February 2016 15:00
| Yorkshire Carnegie | 7 – 23 | Bristol Rugby |
| | Report | |
* Headingley Stadium Attendance: 2,984 Referee: Darren Gamage

### Round 18

* 4 March 2016 19:45
| (BP) Nottingham Rugby | 15 – 22 | Jersey |
| | Report | |
* Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 753 Referee: Andrew Small
* 5 March 2016 14:00
| (BP) London Welsh | 32 – 16 | Rotherham Titans |
| | Report | |
* Old Deer Park Attendance: 966 Referee: John Meredith
* 5 March 2016 15:00
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 33 – 24 | Ealing Trailfinders |
| | Report | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 2,082 Referee: Dean Richards
* 5 March 2016 15:00
| (BP) London Scottish | 20 – 26 | Doncaster Knights (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,089 Referee: Matt O'Grady
* 5 March 2016 15:00
| Moseley | 12 – 28 | Yorkshire Carnegie (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Billesley Common Attendance: 1,025 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
* 6 March 2016 15:00
| (BP) Bristol Rugby | 29 – 24 | Cornish Pirates (2BP) |
| | Report | |
* Ashton Gate Attendance: 7,005 Referee: Christophe Ridley

### Round 19

* 25 March 2016 15:00
| Jersey | 22 – 20 | London Scottish (BP) |
| | Report | |
* St. Peter Attendance: 2,460 Referee: Darren Gamage
* 26 March 2016 15:00
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 32 – 0 | Moseley |
| | Report | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,344 Referee: Dean Richards
* 26 March 2016 15:00
| (BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 16 – 22 | London Welsh (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 802 Referee: Greg McDonald
* 26 March 2016 15:00
| Rotherham Titans | 22 – 12 | Nottingham Rugby |
| | Report | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,188 Referee: Darren Gamage
* 27 March 2016 13:45
| (2BP) Doncaster Knights | 29 – 31 | Bristol Rugby (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 2,223 Referee: Luke Pearce
* 27 March 2016 15:00
| (BP) Yorkshire Carnegie | 35 – 20 | Bedford Blues |
| | Report | |
* Headingley Stadium Attendance: 1,718 Referee: John Meredith

### Round 20

* 1 April 2016 19:30
| Moseley | 23 – 38 | Doncaster Knights (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Billesley Common Attendance: 1,108 Referee: Ian Tempest
* 1 April 2016 19:45
| (BP) Nottingham Rugby | 22 – 18 | Ealing Trailfinders (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 978 Referee: Dean Richards
* 2 April 2016 14:00
| (2BP) London Welsh | 28 – 31 | Yorkshire Carnegie (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Old Deer Park Attendance: 1,463 Referee: Matthew O'Grady
* 2 April 2016 15:00
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 54 – 46 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 3,035 Referee: Greg MacDonald
* 2 April 2016 15:00
| (BP) Jersey | 44 – 27 | Rotherham Titans |
| | Report | |
* St. Peter Attendance: 1,987 Referee: Michael Hudson
* 2 April 2016 15:00
| (BP) London Scottish | 16 – 21 | Bristol Rugby |
| | Report | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,850 Referee: John Meredith

### Round 21

* 15 April 2016 19:45
| Bristol Rugby | 24 – 22 | Moseley (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Ashton Gate Attendance: 6,449 Referee: Tom Foley
* Moseley are relegated after Ealing beat Jersey during the Saturday fixture.
* 16 April 2016 14:30
| Doncaster Knights | 28 – 24 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 2,446 Referee: Dean Richards
* 16 April 2016 15:00
| Ealing Trailfinders | 30 – 24 | Jersey (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 658 Referee: Ian Tempest
* 16 April 2016 15:00
| (BP) Rotherham Titans | 17 – 22 | London Scottish |
| | Report | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 983 Referee: Chris Ridley
* 17 April 2016 15:00
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 38 – 38 | London Welsh (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,568 Referee: Jack Makepeace
* 17 April 2016 15:00
| (BP) Yorkshire Carnegie | 37 – 27 | Nottingham Rugby (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Headingley Stadium Attendance: 2,147 Referee: Greg Macdonald

### Round 22

* 23 April 2016 14:30
| (BP) Nottingham Rugby | 55 – 33 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 1,235 Referee: Matt O'Grady
* 23 April 2016 15:00
| Bedford Blues | 6 – 39 | Bristol Rugby (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 3,224 Referee: John Meredith
* 23 April 2016 15:00
| (BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 45 – 12 | Rotherham Titans |
| | Report | |
* Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 667 Referee: Fergus Kirby
* 23 April 2016 15:00
| Jersey | 0 – 34 | Yorkshire Carnegie (BP) |
| | Report | |
* St Peter Attendance: 2,613 Referee: Andrew Small
* 23 April 2016 15:00
| (BP) London Welsh | 24 – 19 | Doncaster Knights (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Priory Lane Attendance: 1,092 Referee: Andrew Jackson
* 23 April 2016 15:00
| (BP) Moseley | 24 – 75 | London Scottish (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Billesley Common Attendance: 1,299 Referee: Jack Makepeace
* ↑ London Welsh played their home match at Rosslyn Park's ground because Old Deer Park was booked for a food fayre

## Play-offs
### Semi-finals

The semifinals follow a 1 v 4, 2 v 3 system – with the games being played over two legs and the higher placed team choosing which leg they play at home. Both Bristol and Doncaster elected to play the second leg at home and therefore visited Bedford Blues and Yorkshire Carnegie respectively in the first legs on 1 May. The grounds of three of the teams met the minimum standards required to play in the Premiership next season. If Doncaster Knights were promoted they would initially play their matches at the Keepmoat Stadium, the home of Doncaster Rovers while Bristol and Yorkshire Carnegie would continue to their current stadia. Bedford Blues did not apply to have their ground audited and, therefore, could not win promotion; if they had won the play-off final, the last-placed team in the Premiership (London Irish) would not have been relegated.

#### First leg

* 1 May 2016 15:00
| Yorkshire Carnegie | 17–30 | Doncaster Knights |
| | Report | |
* Headingley Stadium Attendance: 3,102 Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
* 1 May 2016 15:15
| Bedford Blues | 16–45 | Bristol Rugby |
| | Report | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 2,662 Referee: Luke Pearce

#### Second leg

* 8 May 2016 14:30
| Doncaster Knights | 14–17 | Yorkshire Carnegie |
| | Report | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 4,797 Referee: Ian Tempest
* Doncaster Knights won 44–34 on aggregate
* 8 May 2016 15:15
| Bristol Rugby | 45–19 | Bedford Blues |
| | Report | |
* Ashton Gate Attendance: 12,030 Referee: Dean Richards
* Bristol Rugby won 90–35 on aggregate

### Final

The final is played over two legs – with the higher placed team deciding who plays at home in the first leg.

#### First leg

* 18 May 2016 19:45
| Doncaster Knights | 13–28 | Bristol Rugby |
| Try: Hurrell (1) 23'c Con: Cusack (1/1) 23' Pen: Cusack (2) 3', 39' | Bristol Knights | Try: Lemi 35'm McMillan 46'c Glynn 50'c Con: Sheedy (2/3) 46', 50' Pen: Sheedy (3) 19', 26', 66' |
* Castle Park Attendance: 4,759 Referee: Wayne Barnes

#### Second leg

* 25 May 2016 19:45
| Bristol Rugby | 32–34 | Doncaster Knights |
| | Report | |
* Ashton Gate Attendance: 16,084 Referee: Matthew Carley
* Bristol won 60–47 on aggregate

## Attendances

* Includes playoff games.
| Club | Home Games | Total | Average | Highest | Lowest | % Capacity |
| Bedford Blues | 12 | 31,333 | 2,611 | 4,341 | 2,077 | 44% |
| Bristol Rugby | 13 | 100,129 | 7,702 | 16,084 | 4,560 | 46% |
| Cornish Pirates | 11 | 15,705 | 1,428 | 2,340 | 1,025 | 36% |
| Doncaster Knights | 13 | 29,937 | 2,303 | 4,797 | 1,019 | 46% |
| Ealing Trailfinders | 11 | 7,338 | 667 | 874 | 310 | 22% |
| Jersey | 11 | 22,790 | 2,072 | 2,613 | 1,526 | 41% |
| London Scottish | 11 | 12,809 | 1,164 | 1,850 | 884 | 26% |
| London Welsh | 11 | 13,214 | 1,201 | 2,032 | 730 | 24% |
| Moseley | 11 | 11,509 | 1,046 | 1,431 | 726 | 35% |
| Nottingham Rugby | 11 | 11,202 | 1,018 | 1,864 | 623 | 51% |
| Rotherham Titans | 11 | 12,980 | 1,180 | 1,721 | 887 | 48% |
| Yorkshire Carnegie | 12 | 28,520 | 2,377 | 3,672 | 1,329 | 11% |

## Individual statistics

* Note that points scorers includes tries as well as conversions, penalties and drop goals. Appearance figures also include coming on as substitutes (unused substitutes not included). Stats also cover playoff games.