# 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. 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.

## 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. The season began on 6 March 2021, and the final round of matches were played in May 2021. 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. Following news of the funding change, several clubs announced their intention to switch to a semi-professional business model.

## 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. They were replaced in the RFU Championship by Saracens, who were relegated after finishing bottom of the 2019–20 Premiership Rugby table.
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. However, after a large donation, they were able to participate.
London Scottish did not participate due to the costs associated with the pandemic.
| Club | Stadium | Capacity | Area | Previous season |
| Ampthill | Dillingham Park | 3,000 | Ampthill, Bedfordshire | 5th |
| Bedford Blues | Goldington Road | 5,000 (1,700 seats) | 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.
Ealing Trailfinders won the competition with one game remaining, they received a trophy and £20,000.

### 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 |
| 3 | Doncaster Knights | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 56 | 115 | −59 | 7 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
* ↑ Goldington Road's capacity down from 6,000 to 5,000.
* 1 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 | 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 | Play-off place |
| 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 | |
| 10 | Nottingham | 10 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 169 | 344 | −175 | 2 | 2 | 12 | |
| 11 | Richmond | 10 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 138 | 366 | −228 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |
* 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:
* 1 2 Cancelled Fixture: Saracens 0pts; Hartpury University 0pts

## Fixtures & Results

Fixtures for the season were announced by the RFU on 8 February 2021. Jersey Reds played only 3 games at home, having switched with their opponents for their rounds 3 and 5 games based on travel concerns.

### Round 1

* 6 March 2021 13:15
| (1 BP) Hartpury | 38 – 15 | Richmond |
| | Hartpury University | |
* ALPAS Arena Attendance: 0 Referee: Christophe Ridley
* 6 March 2021 15:00
| Cornish Pirates | 25 – 17 | Saracens |
| | Pirates | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 0 Referee: Sara Cox
* 6 March 2021 15:00
| Coventry | 10 – 9 | Bedford Blues (1 BP) |
| | Coventry | |
* Butts Park Arena Attendance: 0 Referee: Hamish Smales
* 7 March 2021 13:00
| (1 BP) Ampthill | 17 – 19 | Doncaster Knights |
| | Ampthill | |
* Dillingham Park Attendance: 0 Referee: Simon Harding
* 7 March 2021 13:00
| Nottingham | 3 – 52 | Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP) |
| | Trailfinders | |
* Lady Bar Sports Ground Attendance: 0 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 Referee: Hamish Smales
* 12 March 2021 19:45
| Bedford Blues | 33 – 25 | Hartpury |
| | Blues | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 0 Referee: Simon Harding
* 13 March 2021 13:30
| (1 BP) Saracens | 45 – 13 | Jersey Reds |
| | Saracens | |
* StoneX Stadium Attendance: 0 Referee: Jack Makepeace
* 13 March 2021 14:00
| Richmond | 7 – 27 | Cornish Pirates (1 BP) |
| | Richmond | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 0 Referee: George Selwood
* 13 March 2021 15:00
| (1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 54 – 6 | Ampthill |
| | Trailfinders | |
* Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 0 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
* 19 March 2021 19:30
| Hartpury | 21 – 32 | Doncaster Knights (1 BP) |
| | Knights | |
* ALPAS Arena Attendance: 0
* 20 March 2021 13:30
| Richmond | 23 – 15 | Jersey Reds |
| | Richmond | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 0
* 21 March 2021 12:30
| (1 BP) Cornish Pirates | 27 – 12 | Bedford Blues |
| | Pirates | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 0
* 21 March 2021 13:00
| (1 BP) Ampthill | 31 – 15 | Nottingham |
| | Ampthill | |
* Dillingham Park Attendance: 0
* Bye/s: Saracens

### Round 4

* 27 March 2021 13:00
| (1 BP) Bedford Blues | 20 – 25 | Jersey Reds |
| | Blues | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 0
* 27 March 2021 15:00
| Doncaster Knights | 17 – 15 | Cornish Pirates (1 BP) |
| | Knights | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 0
* 27 March 2021 17:45
| Nottingham | 24 – 36 | Coventry (1 BP) |
| | Nottingham | |
* Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 0
* 28 March 2021 14:15
| Richmond | 3 – 32 | Saracens (1 BP) |
| | Richmond | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 0
* 28 March 2021 15:00
| (1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 75 – 19 | Hartpury |
| | Trailfinders | |
* Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 0
* Bye/s: Ampthill

### Round 5

* 10 April 2021 13:30
| Cornish Pirates | 10 – 38 | Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP) |
| | Trailfinders | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 0
* 10 April 2021 14:30
| Doncaster Knights | 22 – 10 | Jersey Reds |
| | Knights | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 0
* 10 April 2021 16:30
| Hartpury | 15 – 13 | Nottingham (1 BP) |
| | Hartpury | |
* ALPAS Arena Attendance: 0
* 11 April 2021 13:00
| (1 BP) Saracens | 54 – 13 | Bedford Blues |
| | Saracens | |
* StoneX Stadium Attendance: 0
* 11 April 2021 14:30
| (1 BP) Coventry | 26 – 15 | Ampthill |
| | Coventry | |
* Butts Park Arena Attendance: 0
* Bye/s: Richmond

### Round 6

* 17 April 2021 12:30
| Nottingham | 22 – 33 | Cornish Pirates (1 BP) |
| | Pirates | |
* Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 0
* 17 April 2021 13:00
| (1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 64 – 17 | Jersey Reds |
| | Trailfinders | |
* Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 0
* 17 April 2021 16:15
| (1 BP) Bedford Blues | 38 – 10 | Richmond |
| | Blues | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 0
* 18 April 2021 13:00
| (1 BP) Ampthill | 43 – 41 | Hartpury (2 BP) |
| | Ampthill | |
* Dillingham Park Attendance: 0
* 18 April 2021 15:00
| Doncaster Knights | 15 – 50 | Saracens (1 BP) |
| | Knights | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 0
* Bye/s: Coventry

### Round 7

* 24 April 2021 13:00
| Hartpury | 24 – 47 | Coventry (1 BP) |
| | Hartpury | |
* ALPAS Arena Attendance: 0
* 24 April 2021 13:30
| (1 BP) Cornish Pirates | 18 – 20 | Ampthill |
| | Pirates | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 0
* 24 April 2021 15:00
| (1 BP) Jersey Reds | 55 – 12 | Nottingham |
| | Reds | |
* Stade Santander International Attendance: 1,031
* 24 April 2021 15:00
| Richmond | 12 – 40 | Doncaster Knights (1 BP) |
| | Richmond | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 0
* 25 April 2021 15:00
| (1 BP) Saracens | 48 – 20 | Ealing Trailfinders |
| | Trailfinders | |
* StoneX Stadium Attendance: 0
* Bye/s: Bedford Blues

### Round 8

* 1 May 2021 13:45
| Ampthill | 14 – 29 | Jersey Reds (1 BP) |
| | Ampthill | |
* Dillingham Park Attendance: 0
* 1 May 2021 15:00
| Coventry | 19 – 30 | Cornish Pirates |
| | Coventry | |
* Butts Park Arena Attendance: 0
* 1 May 2021 15:30
| (1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 69 – 7 | Richmond |
| | Trailfinders | |
* Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 0
* 1 May 2021 17:30
| Nottingham | 0 – 56 | Saracens (1 BP) |
| | Saracens | |
* Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 0
* 2 May 2021 13:00
| (1 BP) Doncaster Knights | 27 – 19 | Bedford Blues |
| | Knights | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 0
* Bye/s: Hartpury

### Round 9

* 14 May 2021 19:45
| Bedford Blues | 17 – 40 | Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP) |
| | Trailfinders | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 0
* 15 May 2021 15:00
| Jersey Reds | 10 – 34 | Coventry (1 BP) |
| | Reds | |
* Stade Santander International Attendance: 1,157
* 15 May 2021 15:00
| Richmond | 17 – 34 | Nottingham (1 BP) |
| | Richmond | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 0
* 15 May 2021 15:30
| (1 BP) Cornish Pirates | 52 – 26 | Hartpury (1 BP) |
| | Pirates | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 0
* 17 May 2021 19:30
| (1 BP) Saracens | 69 – 12 | Ampthill |
| | Saracens | |
* StoneX Stadium Attendance: 2,000
* Bye/s: Doncaster Knights

### Round 10

* 22 May 2021 13:00
| Hartpury | 19 – 50 | Jersey Reds (1 BP) |
| | Hartpury | |
* ALPAS Arena Attendance:
* 22 May 2021 15:00
| (1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 38 – 15 | Doncaster Knights |
| | Trailfinders | |
* Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance:
* 22 May 2021 17:00
| Coventry | 0 – 73 | Saracens (1 BP) |
| | Saracens | |
* Butts Park Arena Attendance:
* 23 May 2021 13:00
| (1 BP) Ampthill | 31 – 22 | Richmond |
| | Ampthill | |
* Dillingham Park Attendance:
* 23 May 2021 13:00
| Nottingham | 22 – 20 | Bedford Blues (1 BP) |
| | Nottingham | |
* Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance:
* Bye/s: Cornish Pirates

### Round 11

* 29 May 2021 14:00
| Saracens | Cancelled 0 – 0 | Hartpury |
* StoneX Stadium
* 29 May 2021 14:00
| Richmond | 22 – 42 | Coventry (1 BP) |
| | Richmond | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance:
* 29 May 2021 14:00
| (1 BP) Bedford Blues | 32 – 28 | Ampthill (2 BP) |
| | Blues | |
* Goldington Road Attendance:
* 29 May 2021 15:00
| (1 BP) Jersey Reds | 32 – 31 | Cornish Pirates (2 BP) |
| | Reds | |
* Stade Santander International Attendance:
* 29 May 2021 16:30
| (1 BP) Doncaster Knights | 29 – 24 | Nottingham (1 BP) |
* Castle Park Attendance:
* 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.
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.

### 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.