# 2012–13 RFU Championship

The 2012–13 RFU Championship is the fourth season of the professionalised format of the RFU Championship, the second tier of English domestic rugby union competitions, played between August 2012 and May 2013.
After an appeal, last season's champions, London Welsh were promoted to the Aviva Premiership and subsequently Newcastle Falcons relegated, due to finishing bottom of the Aviva Premiership during the 2011–12 season. On 8 May 2012 it was announced that only Bristol and London Welsh (subject to further developments) were eligible for promotion under the RFU's minimum standards criteria; London Welsh advanced to the Championship final, whilst Bristol were defeated in their semi-final by the Cornish Pirates, a club that could not meet the standards criteria. However, on 23 May, the day of the first leg of the final, the RFU announced that London Welsh would not be eligible for promotion due to "various failures". London Welsh's appeal was heard by an Independent Panel on 29 June which ruled ″... that the Exiles should be promoted on the basis that they play their home games at Oxford's Kassam Stadium and that the club meet the minimum entry criteria to the league as imposed by the Professional Game Board.″ Chief Executive Officer of the RFU, Ian Richie, subsequently announced that there would be a full review of the Minimum Standard Criteria. Esher dropped out of the Championship after being relegated to the 2013–14 National League 1 and they will be replaced by a club from the Channel Islands, Jersey who won National League 1 last season and will compete in the Championship for the first time after three consecutive promotions.
The twelve clubs in the 2012–13 Championship will also participate in the 2012–13 edition of the British and Irish Cup along with clubs from Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
On 30 August the RFU announced that, for the first time, a team coached by Mike Rayer of Bedford Blues and consisting of English Qualified Players from RFU Championship teams will play a touring team. The match took place on 17 November at Castle Park, Doncaster against the Māori All Blacks with the New Zealand team winning 52 – 21.

## Structure

The Championship's structure has all the teams playing each other on a home and away basis. The play–off structure has been changed dramatically for the 2012–13 season. Previously, the top eight teams entered into a complex mixture of pool and knockout play to determine promotion to the Premiership, whilst the bottom four entered into a pool whose last–placed team was relegated to National League 1. The play–off pools have been abolished beginning with this season. On the promotion side, the knockout stage, involving two–legged semi–finals followed by a two–legged final, will remain in place. Now, the top four teams at the end of the home–and–away season qualify for the promotion play–offs which follow a 1 v 4, 2 v 3 system. There will be no relegation play–offs; the bottom team will now be automatically relegated.

### Competition funding

The RFU Championship clubs were in dispute with the RFU over funding for the competition and claimed that each club was owed £77,000 for the past three seasons and will be owed a further £120,000 over the next four seasons. The clubs also believed they should have received £295,000 in 2009–10, rising to £400,000 by 2015–16 and further believed there was a breach of contract on the part of the RFU. The RFU stated that the original funding was an estimate and by 2015–16 the figure will be £359,400. On 21 August the RFU unveiled the Championship funding structure for the next four seasons to 2015–16. The funding is based on the continuation of the "English Qualified Players scheme", where clubs are required to field fifteen English qualified players in the 22-man squad on each matchday. (In previous seasons teams were required to field fourteen.) Although the amount is not given in the press release, the RFU also stated they will "increase its financial underwritings in relation to a title sponsorship while efforts continue to secure a partner".

## Participating teams

| Team | Stadium | Capacity | City/Area |
| Bedford Blues | Goldington Road | 6,000 | Bedford, Bedfordshire |
| Bristol | Memorial Stadium | 12,100 | Bristol |
| Cornish Pirates | Mennaye Field | 4,000 (2,200 Seats) | Penzance, Cornwall |
| Doncaster Knights | Castle Park | 3,075 | Doncaster, South Yorkshire |
| Jersey | St. Peter | 5,000 | Saint Peter, Jersey |
| Leeds Carnegie | Headingley Rugby Stadium | 20,250 | Leeds, West Yorkshire |
| London Scottish | Athletic Ground, Richmond | 4,500 | Richmond, London |
| Moseley | Billesley Common | 3,000+ | Birmingham, West Midlands |
| Newcastle Falcons | Kingston Park | 10,200 | Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear |
| Nottingham | Meadow Lane | 19,588 | Nottingham, Nottinghamshire |
| Plymouth Albion | The Brickfields | 8,500 | Plymouth, Devon |
| Rotherham Titans | Clifton Lane | 2,500 | Rotherham, South Yorkshire |

### Notes

* ↑ Leeds will play a number of their matches away from Headingley Stadium as part of a "strategy to grow our business by developing a closer partnership with all clubs in Yorkshire". the match against Jersey (in the British and Irish Cup, Sunday 21 October) at York R.U.F.C. the match against Moseley (Sunday 11 November) at Wharfedale R.U.F.C. the match against Bedford Blues (Sunday 2 December) at Otley R.U.F.C. the match against Pontypridd (in the British and Irish Cup, Sunday 9 December) at West Park Leeds R.U.F.C. the match against London Scottish (Sunday 10 March) at Hull Ionians R.U.F.C. Following problems with the newly re-laid pitch at Headingley, Leeds decided to play some more games "on the road" the replayed match against Plymouth Albion (Sunday 3 February) at West Park Leeds R.U.F.C. the match against Newcastle Falcons (Sunday 10 February) at Otley R.U.F.C. the match against Cornish Pirates (Sunday 3 March) at Otley R.U.F.C.

## League table

2012–13 RFU Championship table :
| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TB | LB | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Newcastle Falcons (CH) | 22 | 21 | 0 | 1 | 677 | 252 | +425 | 13 | 1 | 98 | Promotion place |
| 2 | Nottingham (SF) | 22 | 15 | 0 | 7 | 624 | 409 | +215 | 10 | 4 | 74 | Promotion place |
| 3 | Bedford Blues (RU) | 22 | 14 | 1 | 7 | 664 | 485 | +179 | 11 | 2 | 71 | Promotion place |
| 4 | Leeds Carnegie (SF) | 22 | 13 | 0 | 9 | 585 | 480 | +105 | 9 | 6 | 67 | Promotion place |
| 5 | Bristol | 22 | 14 | 0 | 8 | 524 | 481 | +43 | 6 | 3 | 65 | |
| 6 | Cornish Pirates | 22 | 10 | 2 | 10 | 435 | 480 | −45 | 5 | 3 | 52 | |
| 7 | Rotherham Titans | 22 | 10 | 1 | 11 | 503 | 569 | −66 | 6 | 3 | 51 | |
| 8 | London Scottish | 22 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 456 | 610 | −154 | 4 | 4 | 45 | |
| 9 | Plymouth Albion | 22 | 7 | 0 | 15 | 419 | 518 | −99 | 4 | 8 | 40 | |
| 10 | Moseley | 22 | 6 | 1 | 15 | 377 | 542 | −165 | 1 | 6 | 33 | |
| 11 | Jersey | 22 | 6 | 0 | 16 | 385 | 595 | −210 | 2 | 5 | 31 | |
| 12 | Doncaster Knights (R) | 22 | 3 | 1 | 18 | 364 | 592 | −228 | 2 | 7 | 23 | 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 Notes:
* ↑ London Scottish were deducted 3 competition points for fielding an ineligible player.

## Regular season

The 2012–13 RFU Championship kicked off on 31 August with Nottingham defeating Leeds Carnegie and will finish on 20 April 2013. Each team will play the other twice on a home and away basis with the top four qualifying for the promotion phase.

### Round 1

* 31 August 2012 19:45
| Nottingham (BP) | 34 – 29 | Leeds Carnegie (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Meadow Lane Attendance: 1,536 Referee: Llyr ApGeraint Roberts
* 1 September 2012 15:00
| Bedford Blues (BP) | 50 – 6 | Moseley |
| | Report | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 2,104 Referee: John Meredith
* 1 September 2012 15:00
| Jersey | 6 – 20 | Cornish Pirates |
| | Report | |
* St Peter Attendance: 2,470 Referee: Steve Lee
* 1 September 2012 15:00
| Plymouth Albion | 27 – 22 | Doncaster Knights (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Brickfields Attendance: 1,364 Referee: David Rose
* 2 September 2012 14:00
| London Scottish | 26 – 20 | Rotherham Titans (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Athletic Ground, Richmond Attendance: 894 Referee: Darren Gamage
* 2 September 2012 15:00
| Bristol (BP) | 20 – 37 | Newcastle Falcons (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Memorial Stadium Attendance: 4,851 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth

### Round 2

* 7 September 2012 19:45
| Doncaster Knights | 9 – 18 | Bristol |
| | Report | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 1,013 Referee: Darren Gamage
* 7 September 2012 20:00
| Leeds Carnegie (BP) | 32 – 19 | Jersey |
| | Report | |
* Headingley Rugby Stadium Attendance: 2,066 Referee: Ian Tempest
* 8 September 2012 15:00
| London Scottish (BP) | 32 – 49 | Newcastle Falcons (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Athletic Ground, Richmond Attendance: 1,380 Referee: Ross Campbell
* 8 September 2012 15:00
| Moseley | 17 – 28 | Nottingham |
| | Report | |
* Billesley Common Attendance: 938 Referee: Sean Davey
* 9 September 2012 15:00
| Rotherham Titans (BP) | 38 – 38 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,198 Referee: Llyr ApGeraint Roberts
* 9 September 2012 15:00
| Cornish Pirates | 19 – 17 | Plymouth Albion (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 2,260 Referee: Matthew Carley

### Round 3

* 14 September 2012 20:00
| Newcastle Falcons (BP) | 37 – 3 | Doncaster Knights |
| | Report | |
* Kingston Park Attendance: 4,317 Referee: Ian Tempest
* 15 September 2012 15:00
| Bedford Blues (BP) | 55 – 20 | London Scottish |
| | Report | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 2,227 Referee: Matthew Carley
* 15 September 2012 15:00
| Jersey | 12 – 31 | Moseley |
| | Report | |
* St Peter Attendance: 1,973 Referee: David Rose
* 15 September 2012 15:00
| Plymouth Albion (BP) | 32 – 31 | Leeds Carnegie (2 BP) |
| | Report | |
* Brickfields Attendance: 1,862 Referee: Ross Campbell
* 16 September 2012 15:00
| Nottingham | 16 – 27 | Rotherham Titans |
| | Report | |
* Meadow Lane Attendance: 2,078 Referee: Steve Lee
* 16 September 2012 15:15
| Bristol | 29 – 17 | Cornish Pirates |
| | Report | |
* Memorial Stadium Attendance: 4,613 Referee: Sean Davey

### Round 4

* 22 September 2012 15:00
| Bedford Blues | 27 – 25 | Nottingham (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 2,298 Referee: Darren Gamage
* 22 September 2012 15:00
| London Scottish (BP) | 37 – 26 | Doncaster Knights (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,029 Referee: Steve Lee
* 22 September 2012 15:00
| Moseley (BP) | 22 – 24 | Plymouth Albion |
| | Report | |
* Billesley Common Attendance: 876 Referee: Ian Tempest
* 22 September 2012 15:00
| Rotherham Titans (BP) | 54 – 31 | Jersey (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,131 Referee: Ross Campbell
* 23 September 2012 15:00
| Cornish Pirates | 3 – 25 | Newcastle Falcons |
| | Report | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,745 Referee: Greg Macdonald
* 23 September 2012 15:00
| Leeds Carnegie (BP) | 50 – 31 | Bristol (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Headingley Rugby Stadium Attendance: 2,854 Referee: Matthew Carley

### Round 5

* 28 September 2012 19:45
| Bristol (BP) | 21 – 22 | Moseley |
| | Report | |
* Memorial Ground Attendance: 4,797 Referee: Ross Campbell
* 28 September 2012 19:45
| Doncaster Knights | 18 – 18 | Cornish Pirates |
| | Report | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 1,121 Referee: Darren Gamage
* 28 September 2012 19:45
| Nottingham (BP) | 54 – 9 | London Scottish |
| | Report | |
* Meadow Lane Attendance: 1,187 Referee: Ian Tempest
* 28 September 2012 19:45
| Plymouth Albion | 15 – 3 | Rotherham Titans |
| | Report | |
* Brickfields Attendance: 2,213 Referee: David Rose
* 28 September 2012 20:00
| Newcastle Falcons (BP) | 53 – 10 | Leeds Carnegie |
| | Report | |
* Kingston Park Attendance: 4,608 Referee: Luke Pearce
* 29 September 2012 15:00
| Jersey | 19 – 29 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
* St Peter Attendance: 2,071 Referee: Martin Fox

### Round 6

* 5 October 2012 20:00
| Leeds Carnegie (BP) | 42 – 7 | Doncaster Knights |
| | Report | |
* Headingley Rugby Stadium Attendance: 2,255 Referee: Greg Macdonald
* 6 October 2012 15:00
| Bedford Blues (BP) | 55 – 17 | Plymouth Albion |
| | Report | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 2,725 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
* 6 October 2012 15:00
| London Scottish | 25 – 24 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,126 Referee: Ross Campbell
* 6 October 2012 15:00
| Moseley | 13 – 53 | Newcastle Falcons (BP) |
| | Report | |
* Billesley Common Attendance: 1,091 Referee: Steve Lee
* 6 October 2012 15:00
| Rotherham Titans | 23 – 16 | Bristol |
| | Report | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,060 Referee: John Meredith
* 7 October 2012 15:00
| Nottingham (BP) | 48 – 16 | Jersey |
| | Report | |
* Meadow Lane Attendance: 1,483 Referee: Matthew Carley

### Round 7

* 26 October 2012 19:45
| Doncaster Knights | 24 – 16 | Moseley |
| | Doncaster Moseley | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 872 Referee: Martin Fox
* 26 October 2012 20:00
| Newcastle Falcons (BP) | 33 – 0 | Rotherham Titans |
| | Newcastle Rotherham | |
* Kingston Park Attendance: 3,518 Referee: Llyr ApGeraint Roberts
* 27 October 2012 14:00
| Jersey | 20 – 17 | London Scottish (BP) |
| | Jersey Scottish | |
* St. Peter Attendance: 2,083 Referee: Luke Pearce
* 27 October 2012 15:00
| Plymouth Albion | 22 – 31 | Nottingham (BP) |
| | Plymouth Nottingham | |
* Brickfields Attendance: 1,589 Referee: Greg Macdonald
* 28 October 2012 14:30
| Bristol | 23 – 13 | Bedford Blues |
| | Bristol Bedford | |
* Memorial Stadium Attendance: 4,609 Referee: Darren Gamage
* 28 October 2012 14:30
| Cornish Pirates | 21 – 8 | Leeds Carnegie |
| | Pirates Leeds | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,971 Referee: David Rose

### Round 8

* 3 November 2012 14:00
| Rotherham Titans (BP) | 38 – 20 | Doncaster Knights |
| | Doncaster Rotherham | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,876 Referee: Steve Lee
* 3 November 2012 15:00
| Bedford Blues | 20 – 29 | Newcastle Falcons |
| | Bedford Newcastle | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 4,067 Referee: Martin Fox
* 3 November 2012 15:00
| Jersey | 16 – 14 | Plymouth Albion (BP) |
| | Jersey Plymouth | |
* St Peter Attendance: 1,894 Referee: Ian Tempest
* 3 November 2012 15:00
| London Scottish | 14 – 37 | Leeds Carnegie (BP) |
| | Scottish Leeds | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,168 Referee: John Meredith
* 3 November 2012 15:00
| Moseley | 9 – 9 | Cornish Pirates |
| | Moseley Pirates | |
* Billesley Common Attendance: 1,003 Referee: Matthew Carley
* 4 November 2012 15:00
| Nottingham (BP) | 63 – 7 | Bristol |
| | Nottingham Bristol | |
* Meadow Lane Attendance: 2,091 Referee: Llyr ApGeraint Roberts

### Round 9

* 9 November 2012 19:45
| Doncaster Knights (BP) | 21 – 22 | Bedford Blues |
| | Doncaster Bedford | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 908 Referee: Greg Macdonald
* 9 November 2012 19:45
| Plymouth Albion | 24 – 20 | London Scottish (BP) |
| | Plymouth Albion London Scottish | |
* Brickfields Attendance: 1,941 Referee: Darren Gamage
* 9 November 2012 20:00
| Newcastle Falcons (BP) | 29 – 9 | Nottingham |
| | Newcastle Nottingham | |
* Kingston Park Attendance: 3,458 Referee: Steve Lee
* 11 November 2012 14:00
| Cornish Pirates (BP) | 53 – 21 | Rotherham Titans |
| | Cornish Pirates Rotherham | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,763 Referee: John Meredith
* 11 November 2012 15:00
| Bristol (BP) | 39 – 16 | Jersey |
| | Bristol Jersey | |
* Memorial Ground Attendance: 4,620 Referee: Matthew Carley
* 11 November 2012 15:00
| Leeds Carnegie (BP) | 38 – 12 | Moseley |
| | Leeds Moseley | |
* Wharfeside Avenue, Threshfield Attendance: 1,427 Referee: Ross Campbell

### Round 10

* 23 November 2012 19:45
| Bedford Blues | 32 – 6 | Cornish Pirates |
| | Bedford Pirates | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 3,155 Referee: Greg MacDonald
* 24 November 2012 12:15
| London Scottish | 23 – 18 | Moseley (BP) |
| | Scottish Moseley | |
* Athletic Ground, Richmond Attendance: 653 Referee: Matthew Carley
* 24 November 2012 14:00
| Rotherham Titans | 13 – 24 | Leeds Carnegie |
| | Rotherham Leeds | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,489 Referee: Darren Gamage
* 24 November 2012 15:00
| Jersey | 3 – 24 | Newcastle Falcons (BP) |
| | Jersey Newcastle | |
* St Peter Attendance: 2,292 Referee: Steve Lee
* 24 November 2012 15:00
| Plymouth Albion | 8 – 21 | Bristol |
| | Plymouth Bristol | |
* Brickfields Attendance: 1,358 Referee: Ian Tempest
* 25 November 2012 15:00
| Nottingham (BP) | 52 – 7 | Doncaster Knights |
| | Nottingham Doncaster | |
* Meadow Lane Attendance: 2,015 Referee: John Meredith

### Round 11

* 30 November 2012 19:45
| Bristol (BP) | 43 – 16 | London Scottish |
| | Bristol Scottish | |
* Memorial Ground Attendance: 4,682 Referee: Greg MacDonald
* 30 November 2012 19:45
| Doncaster | 22 – 17 | Jersey (BP) |
| | Doncaster Jersey | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 1,194 Referee: Darren Gamage
* 30 November 2012 20:00
| Newcastle | 31 – 15 | Plymouth Albion |
| | Newcastle Plymouth | |
* Kingston Park Attendance: 3,331 Referee: John Meredith
* 1 December 2012 12:45
| Moseley (BP) | 16 – 20 | Rotherham Titans |
| | Moseley Rotherham | |
* Billesley Common Attendance: 722 Referee: Steve Lee
* 2 December 2012 14:00
| Cornish Pirates | 11 – 10 | Nottingham (BP) |
| | Pirates Nottingham | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,411 Referee: Ross Campbell
* 2 December 2012 14:00
| Leeds Carnegie | 25 – 45 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| | Leeds Bedford | |
* Cross Green, Otley R.U.F.C. Attendance: 1,546 Referee: Ian Tempest

### Round 12

* 22 December 2012 15:00
| Jersey | 20 – 17 | Leeds Carnegie (BP) |
| | Jersey Leeds | |
* St Peter Attendance: 1,923 Referee: Ross Campbell
* 23 December 2012 15:00
| Bristol | 26 – 18 | Doncaster |
| | Bristol Doncaster | |
* Memorial Stadium Attendance: 6,045 Referee: John Meredith
* 23 December 2012 15:00
| Newcastle Falcons | 12 – 9 | London Scottish (BP) |
| | Newcastle Scottish | |
* Kingston Park Attendance: 3,001 Referee: Matthew Carley
* 23 December 2012 15:00
| Nottingham | 18 – 9 | Moseley |
| | Nottingham Moseley | |
* Meadow Lane Attendance: 1,658 Referee: Darren Gamage
* 26 December 2012 15:00
| Bedford | 22 – 16 | Rotherham (BP) |
| | Bedford Rotherham | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 4,418 Referee: Darren Gamage
* 26 December 2012 15:00
| Plymouth Albion (BP) | 5 – 9 | Cornish Pirates |
| | Plymouth Pirates | |
* Brickfields Attendance: 3,058 Referee: Greg MacDonald

### Round 13

* 1 January 2013 14:00
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 32 – 17 | Bristol |
| | Pirates Bristol | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 2,954 Referee: Steve Lee
* 1 January 2013 14:30
| Doncaster Knights | 10 – 28 | Newcastle Falcons (BP) |
| | Doncaster Newcastle | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 1,702 Referee: Ian Tempest
* 5 January 2013 14:00
| Rotherham Titans | 12 – 32 | Nottingham (BP) |
| | Rotherham Nottingham | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,498 Referee: Greg MacDonald
* 5 January 2013 15:00
| London Scottish | 26 – 23 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| | Scottish Bedford | |
* Athletic Ground, Richmond Attendance: 1,705 Referee: John Meredith
* 5 January 2013 15:00
| Moseley | 23 – 19 | Jersey (BP) |
| | Moseley Jersey | |
* Billesley Common Attendance: 1,001 Referee: Luke Pearce
* 6 January 2013 15:00
| Leeds Carnegie | R – R | Plymouth Albion |
* Headingley Rugby Stadium Referee: Matthew Carley
* The original result was 34 – 16 to Leeds. However, the match went to uncontested scrums within 13 minutes on the new pitch at Headingley. A meeting of the Organising Committee of the Championship decided that the fixture should be replayed on the next available free weekend, being 1–3 February at a venue of Leeds' choice.

### Round 14

* 25 January 2013 19:45
| Bristol | 12 – 9 | Leeds Carnegie (BP) |
| | Bristol Leeds | |
* Memorial Stadium Attendance: 4,070 Referee: JP Doyle
* 25 January 2013 20:00
| Newcastle Falcons | P – P | Cornish Pirates |
* Kingston Park
* Game postponed to 23 February 2013 after a pitch inspection (Kingston Park pitch snow-covered).
* 26 January 2013 14:30
| Jersey | 13 – 10 | Rotherham Titans (BP) |
| | Jersey Rotherham | |
* St Peter Attendance: 1,808 Referee: Steve Lee
* 26 January 2013 15:00
| (BP) Plymouth Albion | 6 – 9 | Moseley |
| | Plymouth Moseley | |
* Brickfields Attendance: 1,303 Referee: Ross Campbell
* 27 January 2013 14:45
| Nottingham | 25 – 17 | Bedford Blues |
| | Nottingham Bedford | |
* Meadow Lane Attendance: 2,136 Referee: Matthew Carley
* 1 February 2013 19:45
| (BP) Doncaster Knights | 9 – 14 | London Scottish |
| | Doncaster Scottish | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 706 Referee: Steve Lee
* Game postponed from 25 January due to concerns about the weather.

### Round 13 replay

* 3 February 2013 14:30
| (BP) Leeds Carnegie | 28 – 26 | Plymouth Albion (BP) |
| | Leeds Plymouth Albion | |
* The Sycamores, West Park Leeds RUFC Attendance: 1,460 Referee: Llyr ApGeraint Roberts

### Round 15

* 9 February 2013 12:15
| London Scottish | 25 – 13 | Nottingham |
| | Scottish Nottingham | |
* Richmond Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,266 Referee: Ross Campbell
* 9 February 2013 14:30
| Rotherham Titans | 34 – 31 | Plymouth Albion (2 BP) |
| | Rotherham Plymouth | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 935 Referee: John Meredith
* 9 February 2013 15:00
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 38 – 21 | Jersey |
| | Bedford Jersey | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 2,242 Referee: Greg Macdonald
* 9 February 2013 15:00
| Moseley | P – P | Bristol |
* Billesley Common Referee: David Rose
* Game postponed to 15 March 2013 due to a water-logged pitch at Billesley Common.
* 10 February 2013 12:00
| (BP) Leeds Carnegie | 9 – 13 | Newcastle Falcons |
| | Leeds Newcastle | |
* Cross Green, Otley R.U.F.C. Attendance: 1,461 Referee: Darren Gamage
* 10 February 2013 14:30
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 31 – 18 | Doncaster Knights |
| | Pirates Doncaster | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,309 Referee: Matthew Carley

### Round 16

* 15 February 2013 20:00
| (BP) Newcastle Falcons | 36 – 3 | Moseley |
| | Newcastle Moseley | |
* Kingston Park Attendance: 3,030 Referee: Llyr ApGeraint Roberts
* 16 February 2013 14:30
| Doncaster Knights | 23 – 17 | Leeds Carnegie (BP) |
| | Doncaster Leeds | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 1,271 Referee: Ross Campbell
* 16 February 2013 15:00
| Jersey | P – P | Nottingham |
* St Peter
* Match postponed as the pitch was deemed unplayable.
* 16 February 2013 15:00
| (2 BP) Plymouth Albion | 27 – 28 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| | Plymouth Bedford | |
* Brickfields Attendance: 1,548 Referee: Steve Lee
* 17 February 2013 14:30
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 17 – 20 | London Scottish |
| | Pirates Scottish | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,857 Referee: Simon Harding
* 17 February 2013 15:00
| (BP) Bristol | 30 – 20 | Rotherham Titans |
| | Bristol Rotherham | |
* Memorial Stadium Attendance: 4,504 Referee: Matthew Carley

### Round 14 catch up

* 23 February 2013 19:00
| (BP) Newcastle Falcons | 50 – 3 | Cornish Pirates |
| | Falcons Pirates | |
* Kingston Park Attendance: 2,208 Referee: Steve Lee
* Game rescheduled from 25 January 2013.

### Round 17

* 2 March 2013 14:00
| (BP) London Scottish | 41 – 33 | Jersey (BP) |
| | Scottish Jersey | |
* Richmond Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,552 Referee: Matthew Carley
* 2 March 2013 15:00
| Bedford Blues | 6 – 18 | Bristol |
| | Bedford Bristol | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 2,933 Referee: Ian Tempest
* 2 March 2013 15:00
| Moseley | 23 – 9 | Doncaster Knights |
| | Moseley Doncaster | |
* Billesley Common Attendance: 1,030 Referee: Darren Gamage
* 2 March 2013 15:00
| Rotherham Titans | 22 – 34 | Newcastle Falcons (BP) |
| | Rotherham Falcons | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,890 Referee: Greg MacDonald
* 3 March 2013 14:30
| Leeds Carnegie | 37 – 25 | Cornish Pirates |
| | Leeds Pirates | |
* Cross Green, Otley R.U.F.C. Attendance: 1,363 Referee: John Meredith
* 3 March 2013 15:00
| (BP) Nottingham | 30 – 22 | Plymouth Albion |
| | Nottingham Plymouth | |
* Meadow Lane Attendance: 1,370 Referee: Simon Harding

### Round 18

* 8 March 2013 19:45
| (BP) Bristol | 19 – 23 | Nottingham |
| | Bristol Nottingham | |
* Memorial Stadium Attendance: 5,555 Referee: David Rose
* 8 March 2013 20:00
| Newcastle Falcons | 17 – 15 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| | Falcons Bedford | |
* Kingston Park Attendance: 3,967 Referee: Llyr ApGeraint Roberts
* 9 March 2013 14:30
| (BP) Doncaster Knights | 19 – 25 | Rotherham Titans |
| | Doncaster Rotherham | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 1,517 Referee: Matthew Carley
* 9 March 2013 15:00
| (BP) Plymouth Albion | 15 – 19 | Jersey |
| | Plymouth Jersey | |
* Brickfields Attendance: 1,544 Referee: Steve Lee
* 10 March 2013 13:15
| Cornish Pirates | 17 – 14 | Moseley (BP) |
| | Pirates Moseley | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,223 Referee: Ross Campbell
* 10 March 2013 15:00
| (BP) Leeds Carnegie | 26 – 3 | London Scottish |
| | Leeds Scottish | |
* Brantingham Park, Hull Ionians R.U.F.C. Attendance: 1,261 Referee: Greg MacDonald

### Round 15 and 16 catch up

* 15 March 2013 19:45
| Moseley | 23 – 14 | Bristol |
| | Moseley Bristol | |
* Billesley Common Attendance: 798 Referee: Llyr ApGeraint Roberts
* Game rescheduled from 9 February 2013.
* 16 March 2013 14:15
| (BP) Jersey | 13 – 20 | Nottingham |
| | Jersey Nottingham | |
* St Peters Attendance: 1,410 Referee: Martin Fox
* Game rescheduled from 16 February 2013.

### Round 19

* 22 March 2013 19:45
| (BP) Nottingham | 12 – 14 | Newcastle Falcons |
| | Nottingham Newcastle | |
* Meadow Lane Attendance: 2,516 Referee: Steve Lee
* 23 March 2013 15:00
| Bedford Blues | P – P | Doncaster Knights |
* Goldington Road
* Postponed due to heavy overnight snowfall in Bedfordshire. Game rescheduled to 17 April.
* 23 March 2013 15:00
| (BP) Jersey | 23 – 29 | Bristol |
| | Jersey Bristol | |
* St Peter Attendance: 3,074 Referee: Ross Campbell
* 23 March 2013 15:00
| (BP) London Scottish | 9 – 16 | Plymouth Albion |
| | Scottish Plymouth | |
* Richmond Athletic Ground Attendance: 967 Referee: Thomas Foley
* 23 March 2013 15:00
| Moseley | P – P | Leeds Carnegie |
* Billesley Common
* Postponed due to heavy snow in Birmingham. Game rescheduled to 5 April.
* 23 March 2013 15:00
| Rotherham Titans | P – P | Cornish Pirates |
* Clifton Lane
* Postponed due to snowfall at Rotherham. Game rescheduled to 10 April.

### Round 20

* 29 March 2013 16:45
| (BP) Doncaster Knights | 21 – 27 | Nottingham |
| | Doncaster Nottingham | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 1,319 Referee: Llyr ApGeraint Roberts
* 29 March 2013 17:00
| (BP) Newcastle Falcons | 34 – 12 | Jersey |
| | Newcastle Jersey | |
* Kingston Park Attendance: 4,066 Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
* 30 March 2013 15:00
| (BP) Moseley | 20 – 25 | London Scottish |
| | Moseley Scottish | |
* Billesley Common Attendance: 914 Referee: Simon Harding
* 31 March 2013 15:00
| Cornish Pirates | 18 – 26 | Bedford Blues |
| | Pirates Bedford | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 2,032 Referee: Greg MacDonald
* 31 March 2013 15:00
| Leeds Carnegie | 24 – 7 | Rotherham Titans |
| | Leeds Rotherham | |
* Headingley Rugby Stadium Attendance: 2,007 Referee: Darren Gamage
* 31 March 2013 16:05
| (BP) Bristol | 34 – 20 | Plymouth Albion |
| | Bristol Plymouth | |
* Memorial Stadium Attendance: 5,064 Referee: Luke Pearce

### Round 19 postponed games

* 5 April 2013 19:45
| Moseley | 20 – 29 | Leeds Carnegie (BP) |
| | Moseley Leeds | |
* Billesley Common Attendance: 850 Referee: Llyr ApGeraint-Roberts
* Postponed from 23 March due to heavy snow in Birmingham.
* 10 April 2013 17:15
| (BP) Rotherham Titans | 41 – 28 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| | Rotherham Pirates | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,012 Referee: Dean Richards
* Postponed from 23 March due to snowfall at Rotherham.

### Round 21

* 13 April 2013 15:00
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 24 – 33 | Leeds Carnegie |
| | Bedford Leeds | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 2,649 Referee: Ian Tempest
* 13 April 2013 15:00
| Jersey | 13 – 10 | Doncaster Knights (BP) |
| | Jersey Doncaster | |
* St Peter Attendance: 3,154 Referee: Andrew Small
* 13 April 2013 15:00
| London Scottish | 19 – 38 | Bristol (BP) |
| | Scottish Bristol | |
* Richmond Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,585 Referee: Darren Gamage
* 13 April 2013 15:00
| Plymouth Albion | 10 – 25 | Newcastle Falcons |
| | Plymouth Newcastle | |
* Brickfields Attendance: 2,211 Referee: Ross Campbell
* 13 April 2013 15:00
| Rotherham Titans | 26 – 22 | Moseley (BP) |
| | Rotherham Moseley | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,037 Referee: John Meredith
* 14 April 2013 13:15
| (BP) Nottingham | 28 – 26 | Cornish Pirates (2 BP) |
| | Nottingham Pirates | |
* Meadow Lane Attendance: 1,469 Referee: Luke Pearce

### Round 19 postponed game

* 17 April 2013 19:45
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 38 – 26 | Doncaster Knights (BP) |
| | Beford Doncaster | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 1,552 Referee: David Rose
* Postponed from 23 March due to heavy overnight snowfall in Bedfordshire.

### Round 22

* 20 April 2013 15:00
| Cornish Pirates | 28 – 24 | Jersey (BP) |
| | Pirates Jersey | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,955 Referee: Tom Foley
* 20 April 2013 15:00
| (BP) Doncaster Knights | 22 – 26 | Plymouth Albion (BP) |
| | Doncaster Plymouth | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 1,020 Referee: Simon Harding
* 20 April 2013 15:00
| Leeds Carnegie | 30 – 26 | Nottingham (2BP) |
| | Leeds Nottingham | |
* Headingley Rugby Stadium Attendance: 2,481 Referee: John Meredith
* 20 April 2013 15:00
| (BP) Moseley | 29 – 41 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| | Moseley Bedford | |
* Billesley Common Attendance: 1,455 Referee: Matthew Carley
* 20 April 2013 15:00
| (BP) Newcastle Falcons | 14 – 19 | Bristol |
| | Newcastle Bristol | |
* Kingston Park Attendance: 4,590 Referee: Ian Tempest
* 20 April 2013 15:00
| (BP) Rotherham Titans | 33 – 26 | London Scottish |
| | Rotherham Scottish | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,463 Referee: Llyr ApGeraint-Roberts

## Play–offs
### Semi–finals

The semi–finals followed a 1 v 4, 2 v 3 system - with the games being played over two legs and the higher placed team deciding who played at home in the first leg.
Newcastle Falcons finished the regular season in first place and played fourth-placed finishers Leeds Carnegie, with both matches being shown on SkySports. The other semi–final was between second placed Nottingham and Bedford who finished third.
Following the findings of an independent audit report, Leeds Carnegie, Newcastle Falcons and Nottingham Rugby met the "Minimum Standards Criteria" (MSC), and were eligible for promotion to the 2013–14 Aviva Premiership should they win the RFU Championship. Bedford Blues failed to meet the MSC but have the right to an appeal.

#### First leg

* 4 May 2013 15:00
| Bedford Blues | 26 – 17 | Nottingham |
| | Bedford Nottingham | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 2,533 Referee: J P Doyle
* 6 May 2013 15:15
| Leeds Carnegie | 24 – 19 | Newcastle Falcons |
| | Leeds Newcastle | |
* Headingley Attendance: 4,259 Referee: David Rose

#### Second leg

* 10 May 2013 20:00
| Nottingham | 21 – 23 | Bedford Blues |
| | Nottingham Bedford | |
* Meadow Lane Attendance: 3,070 Referee: Martin Fox
* Bedford Blues won 49 – 38 on aggregate.
* 12 May 2013 13:15
| Newcastle Falcons | 15 – 6 | Leeds Carnegie |
| | Newcastle Leeds | |
* Kingston Park Attendance: 6,003 Referee: Wayne Barnes
* Newcastle Falcons won 34 – 30 on aggregate.

### Final

* 23 May 2013 19:45
| Bedford Blues | 9 – 18 | Newcastle Falcons |
| | Bedford Newcastle | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 4,588 Referee: Luke Pearce
* 29 May 2013 19:45
| Newcastle Falcons | 31 – 24 | Bedford Blues |
| | Newcastle Bedford | |
* Kingston Park Attendance: 7,651 Referee: Greg Garner
* Newcastle Falcons won 49 – 33 on aggregate and are promoted to the Aviva Premiership.

## Total attendances

| Club | Home Matches | Total | Average | Highest | Lowest | % Capacity |
| Bedford Blues | 13 | 39,667 | 3,051 | 4,588 | 1,552 | 51% |
| Bristol | 11 | 53,410 | 4,855 | 6,045 | 4,070 | 40% |
| Cornish Pirates | 11 | 20,480 | 1,862 | 2,954 | 1,223 | 47% |
| Doncaster Knights | 11 | 13,639 | 1,240 | 1,702 | 872 | 40% |
| Jersey | 11 | 24,152 | 2,196 | 3,154 | 1,410 | 44% |
| Leeds Carnegie | 12 | 23,694 | 1,975 | 4,259 | 1,261 | 29% |
| London Scottish | 11 | 13,325 | 1,211 | 1,705 | 653 | 27% |
| Moseley | 11 | 10,678 | 971 | 1,455 | 722 | 32% |
| Newcastle Falcons | 13 | 53,748 | 4,134 | 7,651 | 2,208 | 41% |
| Nottingham | 12 | 22,609 | 1,884 | 3,070 | 1,187 | 10% |
| Plymouth Albion | 11 | 19,991 | 1,817 | 3,058 | 1,303 | 21% |
| Rotherham Titans | 11 | 14,589 | 1,326 | 1,890 | 935 | 53% |

## RFU Championship XV

The RFU Championship fielded a representative team for the first time against the Maori All Blacks, a touring team from New Zealand.
* 17 November 2012 1205
| RFU Championship XV | 21 – 52 | Māori All Blacks |
* Castle Park, Doncaster
* See the main article RFU Championship XV for further details.

### Other tour match

Newcastle Falcons played a match against Tonga on Tuesday 13 November 2012 winning 24 – 13.
* See 2012 end-of-year rugby union tests for details.