# 2016–17 RFU Championship

The 2016–17 RFU Championship, known for sponsorship reasons as the Greene King IPA Championship, is the eighth 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 will be the fourth year of the competition's sponsorship with Greene King Brewery. 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.
On 24 January 2017 London Welsh were expelled from the championship after failing to meet the conditions required by the RFU to extend a temporary licence granted after their liquidation. The club's record for the season was expunged. The RFU announced that no team would be relegated from the Championship at the end of the season.

## 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-away 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 English Premiership. There is no promotion if a ground fails to meet the criteria. Unlike previous seasons there will be no relegation from the league this year.
In 2015 the RFU increased annual funding to over £500,000 per club, an agreement which will last until 2020. Despite this, Cornish Pirates stated more money was needed in RFU grants to support a fully professional second tier.
The 2016–17 season was also the last for play-offs in the Championship for three seasons. Starting with the 2017–18 season, the play-offs will be replaced by automatic promotion for the team that finishes first in the home-and-away season, provided said team meets the Minimum Standards Criteria.

## Teams

* Ealing Trailfinders
* London Scottish
* London Welsh
* Richmond
After ten seasons in the Championship Birmingham Moseley were relegated following their last place finish in 2016. They are replaced by Richmond, who won the National League 1 and return to the second tier for the first time since 1997. Richmond subsequently entered administration and dropped eight tiers following two seasons in the premiership between 1997 and 1999. As a result, Richmond stated that they would remain semi-professional and not sign any professional players despite the RFU Championship being fully professional. London Irish, an original founder of the professional English Premiership, join the league after relegation from the 2015–16 Aviva Premiership, finishing bottom of the table.
On 7 December 2016 London Welsh RFC went into liquidation. They were deducted 20 points but allowed to continue in the Championship until January when the RFU would decide on their future. On 24 January 2017 London Welsh were expelled from the championship after failing to meet the conditions required by the RFU to extend the temporary licence. The club's record for the season was expunged and there would be no relegation from the Championship at the end of season.
| Club | Stadium | Capacity | Area | Captain | DOR/Head Coach |
| Bedford Blues | Goldington Road | 6,000 | Bedford, Bedfordshire | Michael Le Bourgeois | Mike Rayer |
| Cornish Pirates | Mennaye Field | 4,000 (2,200 Seats) | Penzance, Cornwall | Chris Morgan | Gavin Cattle Alan Paver |
| Doncaster Knights | Castle Park | 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 Reds | St Peter | 4,000 | Saint Peter, Jersey | Pierce Philips | Harvey Biljon |
| London Irish | Madejski Stadium | 24,161 | Reading, Berkshire | Luke Narraway | Nick Kennedy |
| London Scottish | Athletic Ground, Richmond | 4,500 | Richmond, London | Rory Bartle | Sean Lineen |
| London Welsh | Old Deer Park | 5,850 (1,000 seats) | Richmond, London | Matt Corker | James Buckland |
| Nottingham | Lady Bay Sports Ground | 3,000 | Nottingham, Nottinghamshire | Matt Everard | Ian Costello |
| Richmond | Athletic Ground, Richmond | 4,500 | Richmond, London | Will Warden | Steve Hill |
| Rotherham Titans | Clifton Lane | 2,500 | Rotherham, South Yorkshire | Tom Holmes | Justin Burnell |
| Yorkshire Carnegie | Headingley Carnegie Stadium | 21,062 | Leeds, West Yorkshire | Ryan Burrows | Ian McGeechan |

### Notes

* ↑ The Director of Rugby/Head Coach list updated 2 September 2016
* ↑ Although Madejski's full capacity is 24,161, for most matches only the West Stand will be open with capacity of 7,579.
* ↑ London Welsh started the season but were expelled from the league on 24 January 2017

## Table

2016–17 RFU Championship table :
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TB | LB | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | London Irish (C) | 20 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 712 | 290 | +422 | 14 | 1 | 91 | Promotion play-off |
| 2 | Yorkshire Carnegie (F) | 20 | 15 | 0 | 5 | 619 | 461 | +158 | 12 | 3 | 75 | Promotion play-off |
| 3 | Ealing Trailfinders (SF) | 20 | 12 | 1 | 7 | 584 | 427 | +157 | 7 | 3 | 60 | Promotion play-off |
| 4 | Doncaster Knights (SF) | 20 | 12 | 0 | 8 | 514 | 424 | +90 | 9 | 1 | 58 | Promotion play-off |
| 5 | Jersey Reds | 20 | 11 | 0 | 9 | 459 | 451 | +8 | 7 | 7 | 58 | |
| 6 | Cornish Pirates | 20 | 9 | 2 | 9 | 559 | 497 | +62 | 8 | 7 | 55 | |
| 7 | Bedford Blues | 20 | 6 | 1 | 13 | 496 | 569 | −73 | 10 | 5 | 41 | |
| 8 | London Scottish | 20 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 465 | 605 | −140 | 7 | 5 | 40 | |
| 9 | Nottingham Rugby | 20 | 7 | 1 | 12 | 419 | 542 | −123 | 4 | 5 | 39 | |
| 10 | Richmond | 20 | 5 | 0 | 15 | 347 | 585 | −238 | 4 | 2 | 26 | |
| 11 | Rotherham Titans | 20 | 4 | 1 | 15 | 333 | 656 | −323 | 2 | 2 | 22 | |
* 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 Had either Ealing or Doncaster won the play-offs, they would not have accepted promotion, causing no side to be promoted and the bottom Premiership club retaining their place. This did not happen, as London Irish and Yorkshire Carnegie (both of which met the Premiership's minimum standards) won the play-off semi-finals.

## Fixtures

Fixtures for the season were announced by the RFU on 8 July 2016.

### Round 1

* 3 September 2016 14:00
| Richmond | 16 – 41 | Jersey Reds (BP) |
| | Richmond Jersey | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 893 Referee: Dean Richards
* 3 September 2016 15:00
| Bedford Blues | 17 – 26 | Cornish Pirates |
| | Bedford Pirates | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 2,033 Referee: Simon Harding
* 3 September 2016 15:00
| Ealing Trailfinders | 13 – 30 | Yorkshire Carnegie (BP) |
| | Ealing Carnegie | |
* Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 635 Referee: Darren Gamage
* 3 September 2016 15:00
| London Irish | 19 – 0 | Doncaster Knights |
| | Irish Doncaster | |
* Madejski Stadium Attendance: 3,503 Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
* 4 September 2016 14:00
| (BP) Rotherham Titans | 33 – 32 | London Welsh (2BP) |
| | Rotherham Welsh | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,382 Referee: Christophe Ridley
* 4 September 2016 15:00
| Nottingham | 25 – 22 | London Scottish (BP) |
| | Nottingham Scottish | |
* Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 924 Referee: Andrew Jackson

### Round 2

* 10 September 2016 14:30
| Doncaster Knights | 25 – 13 | Rotherham Titans |
| | Doncaster Rotherham | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 1,831 Referee: Matt O'Grady
* 10 September 2016 15:00
| Jersey Reds | 14 – 9 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| | Jersey Bedford | |
* St Peter Attendance: 1,630 Referee: Andrew Jackson
* 10 September 2016 15:00
| (BP) London Irish | 36 – 12 | Richmond |
| | Irish Richmond | |
* Madejski Stadium Attendance: 3,303 Referee: Tim Baker
* 10 September 2016 15:00
| London Scottish | 9 – 36 | London Welsh |
| | Scottish Welsh | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,146 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
* 11 September 2016 14:00
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 31 – 31 | Ealing Trailfinders (BP) |
| | Pirates Ealing | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,347 Referee: Christophe Ridley
* 11 September 2016 15:00
| Yorkshire Carnegie | 26 – 24 | Nottingham (2BP) |
| | Carnegie Nottingham | |
* Headingley Carnegie Stadium Attendance: 1,378 Referee: Greg Macdonald

### Round 3

* 17 September 2016 14:00
| Ealing Trailfinders | 20 – 15 | Jersey Reds (BP) |
| | Ealing Jersey | |
* Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 438 Referee: Dean Richards
* 17 September 2016 14:00
| (BP) London Welsh | 22 – 23 | Yorkshire Carnegie |
| | Welsh Carnegie | |
* Old Deer Park Attendance: 1,012 Referee: John Meredith
* 17 September 2016 15:00
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 25 – 30 | London Irish (BP) |
| | Bedford Irish | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 2,585 Referee: Greg MacDonald
* 17 September 2016 15:00
| Richmond | 16 – 57 | Doncaster Knights (BP) |
| | Richmond Doncaster | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 654 Referee: Andrew Jackson
* 17 September 2016 15:00
| (BP) Rotherham Titans | 30 – 31 | London Scottish (BP) |
| | Rotherham Scottish | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,154 Referee: Michael Hudson
* 18 September 2016 15:00
| Nottingham | 19 – 35 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| | Nottingham Pirates | |
* Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 1,005 Referee: Steve Lee

### Round 4

* 23 September 2016 19:45
| (BP) Jersey Reds | 21 – 22 | Nottingham |
| | Jersey Nottingham | |
* St Peter Attendance: 1,723 Referee: Ian Tempest
* 24 September 2016 14:30
| (BP) Doncaster Knights | 30 – 22 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| | Doncaster Bedford | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 1,079 Referee: John Meredith
* 24 September 2016 15:00
| Richmond | 8 – 18 | Rotherham Titans |
| | Richmond Rotherham | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 658 Referee: Fergus Kirby
* 25 September 2016 14:00
| Cornish Pirates | 16 – 10 | London Welsh (BP) |
| | Pirates Welsh | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,495 Referee: Paul Andrew
* 25 September 2016 15:00
| (BP) London Irish | 32 – 12 | Ealing Trailfinders |
| | Irish Ealing | |
* Madejski Stadium Attendance: 3,357 Referee: Matthew O’Grady
* 25 September 2016 15:00
| (BP) Yorkshire Carnegie | 39 – 29 | London Scottish (BP) |
| | Carnegie Scottish | |
* Headingley Carnegie Stadium Attendance: 1,807 Referee: Christopher Ridley

### Round 5

* 30 September 2016 19:45
| Nottingham | 7 – 29 | London Irish (BP) |
| | Nottingham Irish | |
* Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 1,538 Referee: Andrew Jackson
* 1 October 2016 14:00
| London Welsh | 23 – 18 | Jersey Reds (BP) |
| | Welsh Jersey | |
* Old Deer Park Attendance: 789 Referee: Darren Gamage
* 1 October 2016 15:00
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 34 – 14 | Richmond |
| | Bedford Richmond | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 2,009 Referee: Matthew O'Grady
* 1 October 2016 15:00
| Ealing Trailfinders | 27 – 14 | Doncaster Knights |
| | Ealing Doncaster | |
* Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 629 Referee: Fergus Kirby
* 1 October 2016 15:00
| London Scottish | 25 – 24 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| | Scottish Pirates | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 955 Referee: Simon Harding
* 1 October 2016 15:00
| Rotherham Titans | 21 – 37 | Yorkshire Carnegie (BP) |
| | Rotherham Carnegie | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,237 Referee: Steve Lee

### Round 6

* 7 October 2016 19:45
| Bedford Blues | 17 – 16 | Rotherham Titans (BP) |
| | Bedford Rotherham | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 2,398 Referee: Greg McDonald
* 8 October 2016 14:30
| Doncaster Knights | 26 – 21 | Nottingham (BP) |
| | Doncaster Nottingham | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 1,368 Referee: Darren Gamage
* 8 October 2016 15:00
| Jersey Reds | 10 – 36 | London Scottish (BP) |
| | Jersey Scottish | |
* St Peter Attendance: 1,702 Referee: John Meredith
* 8 October 2016 15:00
| (BP) London Irish | 35 – 12 | London Welsh |
| | Irish Welsh | |
* Madejski Stadium Attendance: 4,025 Referee: Christophe Ridley
* 9 October 2016 15:00
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 28 – 35 | Yorkshire Carnegie (BP) |
| | Pirates Carnegie | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,477 Referee: Luke Pearce
* 9 October 2016 15:00
| Richmond | 12 – 38 | Ealing Trailfinders (BP) |
| | Richmond Ealing | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,108 Referee: Andrew Jackson

### Round 7

* 28 October 2016 20:00
| (BP) Yorkshire Carnegie | 35 – 29 | Jersey Reds (2BP) |
| | Yorkshire Carnegie Jersey | |
* Headingley Carnegie Stadium Attendance: 1,914 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
* 29 October 2016 14:00
| London Welsh | 14 – 10 | Doncaster Knights (BP) |
| | Welsh Doncaster | |
* Old Deer Park Attendance: 1,025 Referee: Andrew Jackson
* 29 October 2016 15:00
| Ealing Trailfinders | 24 – 23 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| | Ealing Bedford | |
* Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 789 Referee: Jack Makepeace
* 29 October 2016 15:00
| Rotherham Titans | 26 – 24 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| | Rotherham Pirates | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,021 Referee: Matthew O'Grady
* 30 October 2016 15:00
| London Scottish | 12 – 62 | London Irish (BP) |
| | Irish Report | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 2,339 Referee: Christophe Ridley
* 30 October 2016 15:00
| Nottingham | 20 – 8 | Richmond |
| | Nottingham Richmond | |
* Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 1,015 Referee: Mike Hudson

### Round 8

* 5 November 2016 14:30
| (BP) Doncaster Knights | 29 – 23 | London Scottish (BP) |
| | Doncaster Scottish | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 1,339 Referee: Darren Gamage
* 5 November 2016 15:00
| (2BP) Bedford Blues | 34 – 36 | Nottingham (BP) |
| | Bedford Nottingham | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 2,487 Referee: Tom Foley
* 5 November 2016 15:00
| (BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 50 – 24 | Rotherham Titans (BP) |
| | Ealing Rotherham | |
* Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 638 Referee: Simon Harding
* 5 November 2016 15:00
| Jersey Reds | 27 – 24 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| | Jersey Pirates | |
* St Peter Attendance: 1,504 Referee: Steve Lee
* 5 November 2016 15:00
| (BP) London Irish | 41 – 17 | Yorkshire Carnegie |
| | Irish Carnegie | |
* Madejski Stadium Attendance: 4,067 Referee: Ian Tempest
* 5 November 2016 15:00
| Richmond | 5 – 33 | London Welsh (BP) |
| | Richmond Welsh | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 961 Referee: Wayne Barnes

### Round 9

* 18 November 2016 19:00
| (BP) London Scottish | 16 – 17 | Richmond |
| | Scottish Richmond | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,684 Referee: Simon Harding
* 18 November 2016 19:45
| Nottingham | 17 – 13 | Ealing Trailfinders (BP) |
| | Nottingham Ealing | |
* Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 1,050 Referee: Matt O'Grady
* 18 November 2016 20:00
| Yorkshire Carnegie | 24 – 6 | Doncaster Knights |
| | Carnegie Doncaster | |
* Headingley Carnegie Stadium Attendance: 2,617 Referee: Steve Lee
* 19 November 2016 12:00
| London Welsh | 25 – 38 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| | Welsh Bedford | |
* Old Deer Park Attendance: 787 Referee: Christophe Ridley
* 19 November 2016 13:00
| Cornish Pirates | 24 – 35 | London Irish (BP) |
| | Pirates Irish | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 2,043 Referee: Fergus Kirby
* 19 November 2016 14:00
| Rotherham Titans | 23 – 16 | Jersey Reds (BP) |
| | Rotherham Jersey | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 918 Referee: Mike Hudson

### Round 10

* 25 November 2016 19:45
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 10 – 13 | London Scottish |
| | Bedford Scottish | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 2,339 Referee: Fergus Kirby
* 25 November 2016 19:45
| (BP) Richmond | 31 – 39 | Yorkshire Carnegie (BP) |
| | Richmond Carnegie | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 701 Referee: Darren Gamage
* 26 November 2016 15:00
| Ealing Trailfinders | 19 – 11 | London Welsh |
| | Ealing Welsh | |
* Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 792 Referee: Michael Hudson
* 27 November 2016 14:00
| (BP) Doncaster Knights | 26 – 35 | Cornish Pirates |
| | Doncaster Pirates | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 2,748 Referee: Jack Makepeace
* 27 November 2016 14:00
| (BP) London Irish | 42 – 29 | Jersey Reds (BP) |
| | Irish Jersey | |
* Madejski Stadium Attendance: 3,460 Referee: John Meredith
* 27 November 2016 15:00
| Nottingham | 19 – 19 | Rotherham Titans |
| | Nottingham Rotherham | |
* Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 1,037 Referee: Christophe Ridley

### Round 11

* 2 December 2016 19:00
| London Scottish | 28 – 12 | Ealing Trailfinders |
| | Scottish Ealing | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 951 Referee: John Meredith
* 2 December 2016 20:00
| (BP) Yorkshire Carnegie | 28 – 15 | Bedford Blues |
| | Bedford | |
* Headingley Carnegie Stadium Attendance: 1,894 Referee: Andrew Jackson
* 3 December 2016 14:00
| (BP) London Welsh | 26 – 20 | Nottingham (2BP) |
| | Welsh Nottingham | |
* Old Deer Park Attendance: 531 Referee: Jack Makepeace
* 3 December 2016 14:00
| Rotherham Titans | 10 – 38 | London Irish (BP) |
| | Rotherham Irish | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,342 Referee: Andrew Jackson
* 3 December 2016 14:30
| (BP) Jersey Reds | 35 – 29 | Doncaster Knights (2BP) |
| | Jersey | |
* St Peters Attendance: 1,277 Referee: Tom Foley
* 4 December 2016 14:00
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 23 – 26 | Richmond (BP) |
| | Pirates | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,292 Referee: Matthew O’Grady

### Round 12

* 24 December 2016 13:15
| (BP) London Welsh | 37 – 5 | London Scottish |
| | Welsh Scottish | |
* Old Deer Park Attendance: 1,683 Referee: Dean Richards
* 24 December 2016 14:00
| (BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 16 – 22 | Cornish Pirates |
| | Ealing Pirates | |
* Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 856 Referee: Michael Hudson
* 24 December 2016 15:00
| (BP) Richmond | 20 – 26 | London Irish |
| | Richmond Irish | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 2,891 Referee: Karl Dickson
* 26 December 2016 14:00
| (BP) Nottingham | 17 – 24 | Yorkshire Carnegie |
| | Nottingham Carnegie | |
* Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 1,208 Referee: Fergus Kirby
* 26 December 2016 14:00
| Rotherham Titans | 12 – 23 | Doncaster Knights |
| | Rotherham Doncaster | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,872 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
* 26 December 2016 15:00
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 39 – 37 | Jersey (2BP) |
| | Bedford Jersey | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 4,621 Referee: Andrew Jackson

### Round 13

* 31 December 2016 12:30
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 41 – 20 | Nottingham |
| | Pirates Nottingham | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,635 Referee: Jack Makepeace
* 31 December 2016 14:00
| (BP) London Irish | 36 – 21 | Bedford Blues |
| | Irish Bedford | |
* Madejski Stadium Attendance: 4,345 Referee: John Meredith
* 31 December 2016 14:30
| (BP) Doncaster Knights | 34 – 3 | Richmond |
| | Doncaster Richmond | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 1,337 Referee: Steve Lee
* 1 January 2017 14:00
| (BP) Jersey Reds | 13 – 19 | Ealing Trailfinders |
| | Jersey Ealing | |
* St Peters Attendance: 1,596 Referee: Christophe Ridley
* 1 January 2017 14:00
| (BP) London Scottish | 36 – 15 | Rotherham Titans |
| | Scottish Rotherham | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,126 Referee: Simon Harding
* 1 January 2017 15:00
| Yorkshire Carnegie | 20 – 13 | London Welsh (BP) |
| | Welsh | |
* Headingley Carnegie Stadium Attendance: 2,117 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth

### Round 14

* 28 January 2017 14:30
| London Scottish | 14 – 26 | Yorkshire Carnegie |
| | Scottish Carnegie | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,175 Referee: Dean Richards
* 28 January 2017 14:00
| Rotherham Titans | 23 – 10 | Richmond |
| | Rotherham Richmond | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 913 Referee: Tom Foley
* 28 January 2017 15:00
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 22 – 40 | Doncaster Knights (BP) |
| | Bedford Doncaster | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 1,901 Referee: Ian Tempest
* 28 January 2017 15:00
| (BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 22 – 23 | London Irish |
| | Ealing Irish | |
* Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 2,630 Referee: JP Doyle
* 29 January 2017 15:00
| (BP) Nottingham | 19 – 24 | Jersey Reds |
| | Nottingham Jersey | |
* Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 939 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth

### Round 15

* 4 February 2017 14:00
| (BP) Richmond | 49 – 26 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| | Richmond Bedford | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,019 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
* 4 February 2017 14:30
| Doncaster Knights | 21 – 29 | Ealing Trailfinders |
| | Doncaster Ealing | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 1,452 Referee: Matt Carley
* 5 February 2017 14:30
| Cornish Pirates | 25 – 24 | London Scottish (BP) |
| | Pirates Scottish | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,301 Referee: Fergus Kirby
* 5 February 2017 15:00
| (BP) London Irish | 60 – 14 | Nottingham |
| | Irish Nottingham | |
* Madejski Stadium Attendance: 2,586 Referee: Simon Harding
* 5 February 2017 15:00
| (BP) Yorkshire Carnegie | 56 – 26 | Rotherham Titans (BP) |
| | Carnegie | |
* Headingley Carnegie Stadium Attendance: 1,846 Referee: Andrew Jackson

### Round 16

* 17 February 2017 19:45
| Nottingham | 7 – 29 | Doncaster Knights (BP) |
| | Nottingham Doncaster | |
* Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 1,275 Referee: Luke Pearce
* 18 February 2017 14:00
| (2BP) London Scottish | 33 – 37 | Jersey Reds (BP) |
| | Scottish Jersey | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,371 Referee: Greg McDonald
* 18 February 2017 14:00
| Rotherham Titans | 21 – 36 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| | Rotherham Bedford | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 859 Referee: Ben Blain
* 18 February 2017 15:00
| (BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 27 – 20 | Richmond (BP) |
| | Ealing Richmond | |
* Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 1,022 Referee: Steve Lee
* 18 February 2017 15:00
| Yorkshire Carnegie | 27 – 42 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
| | Carnegie Pirates | |
* Headingley Carnegie Stadium Attendance: 1,354 Referee: Matthew O'Grady

### Round 17

* 24 February 2017 19:45
| Jersey Reds | 24 – 19 | Yorkshire Carnegie (BP) |
| | Jersey | |
* St Peter Attendance: 1,493 Referee: Christophe Ridley
* 25 February 2017 15:00
| Bedford Blues | 16 – 29 | Ealing Trailfinders |
| | Bedford Ealing | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 2,094 Referee: Matthew O'Grady
* 25 February 2017 15:00
| (BP) London Irish | 29 – 20 | London Scottish |
| | Irish Scottish | |
* Madejski Stadium Attendance: 2,572 Referee: Michael Hudson
* 25 February 2017 15:00
| Richmond | 22 – 7 | Nottingham |
| | Richmond Nottingham | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 624 Referee: Fergus Kirby
* 26 February 2017 15:00
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 34 – 5 | Rotherham Titans |
| | Pirates Rotherham | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,056 Referee: John Stevens

### Round 18

* 4 March 2017 14:00
| London Scottish | 14 – 48 | Doncaster Knights (BP) |
| | Scottish Doncaster | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,236 Referee: Christophe Ridley
* 4 March 2017 14:00
| Rotherham Titans | 12 – 51 | Ealing Trailfinders (BP) |
| | Rotherham Ealing | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 773 Referee: Ian Tempest
* 5 March 2017 14:00
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 5 – 7 | Jersey Reds |
| | Pirates Jersey | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,535 Referee: Simon Harding
* 5 March 2017 15:00
| (BP) Nottingham | 21 – 24 | Bedford Blues |
| | Nottingham Bedford | |
* Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 1,153 Referee: Greg Macdonald
* 5 March 2017 15:00
| (BP) Yorkshire Carnegie | 14 – 20 | London Irish |
| | Carnegie Irish | |
* Headingley Carnegie Stadium Attendance: 3,136 Referee: Luke Pearce

### Round 19

* 18 March 2017 14:00
| (BP) London Irish | 39 – 10 | Cornish Pirates |
| | Irish Pirates | |
* Madejski Stadium Attendance: 11,671 Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
* 18 March 2017 14:30
| Richmond | 8 – 19 | London Scottish |
| | Richmond Scottish | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,575 Referee: Ben Blain
* 18 March 2017 15:00
| (BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 59 – 12 | Nottingham |
| | Ealing Nottingham | |
* Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 682 Referee: Matthew O'Grady
* 18 March 2017 15:00
| Jersey Reds | 17 – 9 | Rotherham Titans |
| | Jersey Rotherham | |
* St Peter Attendance: 1,235 Referee: Andrew Jackson
* 19 March 2017 15:00
| Doncaster Knights | 31 – 26 | Yorkshire Carnegie (2 BP) |
| | Doncaster Carnegie | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 1,996 Referee: Dean Richards
* ↑ London Irish's attendance of 11,671 was a RFU Championship regular season record. Note this does not include RFU Championship playoff games or games in the old National Division One prior to the Championship's inception in 2009-10.

### Round 20

* 25 March 2017 14:00
| (BP) London Scottish | 22 – 41 | Bedford Blues (BP) |
| | Scottish Bedford | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,301 Referee: Fergus Kirby
* 25 March 2017 14:00
| Rotherham Titans | 7 – 46 | Nottingham (BP) |
| | Rotherham Nottingham | |
* Clifton Lane Attendance: 937 Referee: John Meredith
* 25 March 2017 15:00
| Jersey Reds | 15 – 11 | London Irish (BP) |
| | Irish Jersey | |
* St Peter Attendance: 3,317 Referee: Matthew Carley
* 26 March 2017 15:00
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 34 – 17 | Doncaster Knights |
| | Pirates Doncaster | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,248 Referee: Matthew O'Grady
* 26 March 2017 15:00
| (BP) Yorkshire Carnegie | 41 – 3 | Richmond |
| | Carnegie Richmond | |
* Headingley Carnegie Stadium Attendance: 1,164 Referee: Mike Hudson

### Round 21

* 8 April 2017 14:30
| Doncaster Knights | 24 – 20 | Jersey Reds (BP) |
| | Doncaster Jersey | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 1,698 Referee: Greg McDonald
* 8 April 2017 15:00
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 27 – 43 | Yorkshire Carnegie (BP) |
| | Bedford Carnegie | |
* Goldington Road Attendance: 2,685 Referee: Jamie Leahy
* 8 April 2017 15:00
| (BP) Ealing Trailfinders | 72 – 29 | London Scottish (BP) |
| | Ealing Scottish | |
* Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 896 Referee: Jack Makepeace
* 8 April 2017 15:00
| (BP) London Irish | 82 – 3 | Rotherham Titans |
| | Irish | |
* Madejski Stadium Attendance: 1,786 Referee: Simon Harding
* 8 April 2017 15:00
| (BP) Richmond | 35 – 32 | Cornish Pirates (2BP) |
| | Richmond Pirates | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,191 Referee: John Meredith

### Round 22

* 15 April 2017 15:00
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 40 - 40 | Bedford Blues (2 BP) |
| | Pirates Bedford | |
* Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,703 Referee: Dean Richards
* 15 April 2017 15:00
| Doncaster Knights | 5 – 22 | London Irish |
| | Doncaster Irish | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 2,089 Referee: Andrew Jackson
* 15 April 2017 15:00
| (BP) Jersey Reds | 28 - 17 | Richmond |
| | Jersey Richmond | |
* St Peter Attendance: 2,210 Referee: Fergus Kirby
* 15 April 2017 15:00
| London Scottish | 19 - 46 | Nottingham (BP) |
| | Scottish Nottingham | |
* Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,130 Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe
* 15 April 2017 15:00
| (BP) Yorkshire Carnegie | 33 – 20 | Ealing Trailfinders |
| | Ealing | |
* Headingley Carnegie Stadium Attendance: 1,362 Referee: Matthew O'Grady

## Play-offs
### Semi-finals

The semi-finals 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. The matches are due to be played on 28/30 April 2017 and 5/6 May 2017. London Irish and Yorkshire finished 1st and 2nd respectively and both chose to play the second leg at home. It was announced on 27 April that both London Irish and Yorkshire Carnegie were eligible for promotion while Doncaster Knights and Ealing Trailfinders did not apply for audit for minimum standards criteria and therefore will not be promoted should they win the championship.

#### First leg

* 28 April 2017 19:45
| Ealing Trailfinders | 16 – 34 | Yorkshire Carnegie |
| | Ealing Yorkshire | |
* Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 966 Referee: Ian Tempest
* 30 April 2017 15:00
| Doncaster Knights | 3 – 35 | London Irish |
| | Irish Doncaster | |
* Castle Park Attendance: 2,173 Referee: Luke Pearce

#### Second leg

* 5 May 2017 19:45
| Yorkshire Carnegie | 18 – 20 | Ealing Trailfinders |
| | Ealing | |
* Headingley Carnegie Stadium Attendance: 2,216 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
* Yorkshire Carnegie won 52 – 36 on aggregate
* 6 May 2017 13:15
| London Irish | 39 – 22 | Doncaster Knights |
| | Irish Doncaster | |
* Madejski Stadium Attendance: 4,644 Referee: Matt O’Grady
* London Irish won 74 – 25 on aggregate

### Final

The final is played over two legs – with the higher placed team deciding which leg they play at home.

#### First leg

* 17 May 2017 19:45
| Yorkshire Carnegie | 18 – 29 | London Irish |
| | Irish | |
* Headingley Carnegie Stadium Attendance: 4,126 Referee: JP Doyle

#### Second leg

* 24 May 2017 19:45
| London Irish | 55 – 48 | Yorkshire Carnegie |
| | Irish | |
* Madejski Stadium Attendance: 7,830 Referee: Matthew Carley
* London Irish won 84 – 66 on aggregate and are promoted to the Premiership

## Attendances

* Includes playoff games.
| Club | Home Games | Total | Average | Highest | Lowest | % Capacity |
| Bedford Blues | 10 | 25,152 | 2,515 | 4,621 | 1,901 | 42% |
| Cornish Pirates | 11 | 16,132 | 1,467 | 2,043 | 1,056 | 37% |
| Doncaster Knights | 11 | 19,110 | 1,737 | 2,748 | 1,079 | 35% |
| Ealing Trailfinders | 12 | 10,973 | 914 | 2,630 | 438 | 30% |
| Jersey Reds | 10 | 17,687 | 1,769 | 3,317 | 1,235 | 44% |
| London Irish | 13 | 57,149 | 4,396 | 11,671 | 1,786 | 18% |
| London Scottish | 11 | 14,414 | 1,310 | 2,339 | 951 | 29% |
| London Welsh | 6 | 5,827 | 971 | 1,683 | 531 | 17% |
| Nottingham | 10 | 11,144 | 1,114 | 1,538 | 924 | 37% |
| Richmond | 11 | 12,275 | 1,116 | 2,891 | 624 | 25% |
| Rotherham Titans | 11 | 12,408 | 1,128 | 1,872 | 773 | 45% |
| Yorkshire Carnegie | 13 | 26,931 | 2,072 | 4,126 | 1,164 | 10% |

### Notes

* ↑ Due to London Welsh's expulsion Bedford only played 10 home games.
* ↑ Due to London Welsh's expulsion Doncaster only played 10 home games in the league stage. As they reached the promotion playoffs they played 11 homes games overall.
* ↑ Ealing Trailfinders played 12 home games as they reached the promotion playoff semi-finals.
* ↑ Due to London Welsh's expulsion Jersey only played 10 home games.
* ↑ London Irish played 13 home games as they reached the promotion playoff final.
* ↑ London Welsh only played 6 home games as they were expelled from the Championship in January 2017 after going into liquidation.
* ↑ Due to London Welsh's expulsion Nottingham only played 10 home games.
* ↑ Yorkshire Carnegie played 13 home games as they reached the promotion playoff final.

## 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.

## Season records

* Updated to 17 May 2017