Championship
Two Leg Final
Dave Barton
The inaugural Championship final will be played over two legs, home and away, of the finalists rather than at Twickenham. This arrangement is subject to the RFU Council agreeing the required regulation change. The matches will be played in midweek in May, dates to be confirmed, subject to discussion with broadcasters Sky. Board chairman Martyn Thomas said: “The new Championship is proving to be a tightly fought and exciting league, with an average of five tries per match and overall attendance up by 30% on last year. “The play-off system will ensure a suitable climax to its first season with the ultimate prize of promotion to the Guinness Premiership. We have listened to what the clubs want and there will therefore be a two-legged final with the winner decided on aggregate score. This will generate optimum revenue for the finalists and maximise attendances for what should be two great games.“ The other games previously scheduled to take place at Twickenham on the original date of May 8 – the finals of the RFU Junior Vase, Senior Vase and Intermediate Cup – will go ahead as planned.
