It’s another huge Saturday of English Championship rugby. Here, The Rugby Paper looks ahead to some thrilling ties in the second division of English rugby.
Ampthill v Nottingham 13:30
Third bottom hosts second bottom in this huge tie for both teams. Both teams will be desperate for a win to create some distance between themselves and bottom of the table London Scottish.
Last weekend, Ampthill were not strong enough for the Cornish Pirates – who scored 26 points in the first 20 minutes. Despite the Cornishman being down to 13 men, Ampthill could not overcome the deficit.
Nottingham were well beaten by Doncaster Knights. The East-Midlander’s have lost six of their last nine.
Doncaster Knights v Coventry 14:30
Doncaster Knights impressively scored 45 points against Nottingham last time out. Knights sit in fourth, three points off Jersey Reds.
Coventry were beaten by five points in the Channel Island against Jersey. Cov director of rugby Rowland Winter said: “I’m proud of the second half display, so the boys get a pat on the head for that, and a kick up the backside for the first half.”
Hartpury University v Ealing Trailfinders 14:30
Mid table Hartpury are looking to pull of the big scalp of table toppers Ealing Trailfinders. Sat in mid table, Hartpury are fresh from a weekend break due to the uneven number of teams in the Championship.
Ealing won away at West London rivals last week and sit handsomely at the top of the table. Despite being 17-0 behind at halftime, Ealing gradually got their way back into the game and won 24-33 at Richmond.
Jersey Reds v London Scottish 15:00
Bottom of the table Scottish travel to the Channel Islands hoping for a win to help put pressure on the rest of the table.
Jersey Reds wing Will Brown bagged a first half hat trick in last weekends victory over Coventry. Jersey will be hoping for a more disciplined performance than last week, where they conceded a whopping 17 penalties. Jersey Reds sit third – seven points off Ealing at the top of the table. The Channel Islanders have a game in hand on promotion chasing Cornish Pirates and Ealing Trailfinders.
Scottish agonisingly lost by a point away at Bedford Blues. A late Bedford try downed a resurgent Scottish, who sit seven points adrift of second bottom Nottingham. Scottish will be hoping that their performance will lead to a victory.
Richmond v Cornish Pirates 15:00
Sitting in eighth, Richmond made table toppers Ealing work hard for their victory last weekend. They will be disappointed to have lost a commanding 17-0 lead at half time. A disappointing second half led to a 24-33 loss.
A powerful first half performance by Cornish Pirates was enough for them to down Ampthill. The Pirates sit in second, just three points off table toppers Ealing.
Come back on Sunday for match reports on all five fixtures.
Take a look at the Championship table