Greene King IPA Championship Round One Match Thread

Ok, so I accept this may not be a thread that generates much interest, but my team are in the Greene king IPA Championship this year, so here goes with a match thread for round one which kicks off this Saturday.

Richmond vs. Jersey
Richmond come into the season as the only team in the league who remain amateur, after their promotion from ND1 last season.  Jersey on the other hand have cash to splash (in Championship terms) and have recruited strongly for the coming campaign, with a view to improving on their 6th place finish last time around.  Their main strength is in the pack, where they boast some heavy artillery, and this could be a difficult opener for Richmond, even with home advantage.  
Prediction:  Big away win.


Bedford Blues vs. Cornish Pirates
This time last year TRP predicted a lowly finish for Bedford after their 10th place finish the campaign before.  With a settled squad and a canny DoR they finished 4th, losing out in the play off semi final to the eventual winners Bristol.  They remain a settled outfit, with a smattering of dual registered players from Saracens.  Pirates on the other hand have had some financial issues, and on paper have a squad which doesn't look as if it will compete.  This is despite some dual registered youngsters from Exeter Chiefs and a couple of Canadian internationals.  Thier best chances of winning games will be at the Mennaye Field, but this is at Goldington Road, and I don't see them getting off to a positive start here.
Prediction:  Comfortable home win.


Ealing Trailfinders vs. Yorkshire Carnegie
Despite their 11th placed finish last season Ealing fans may be feeling optimistic for the coming season having recruited well, if unspectacularly.  Yorkshire are always there or thereabouts and finshed 3rd last season.  They have plenty of Premiership experience in their pack, and some exciting youngsters in their back line, and will be be a force during the coming season.  That said, this is a tricky opener, and I'm going with ealing to start their campaign well at home this weekend.
Prediction:  Tight home win.


London Irish vs. Doncaster Knights
After a miserable couple of years in the premiership Irish finally fell to relegation, whilst the most promoted team in the country, Doncaster Knights just mised out on another promotion, losing in the play off final to Bristol.  Irish have kept most of the squad they wanted together, and recruited well in the summer to be the bookies favourites to secure promotion.  Doncaster have also recruited strongly, and will be fighting for a play off spot come May.  This is not going to define the season for either, but is an important game for Irish, who need a strong start to ensure confidence stays high in the camp, so nerves could be a factor first time out.
Prediction:  Tight initially, but a comfortable home win in the end.


Rotherham Titans vs. London Welsh
Rotherham finished 10th last year, whilst Welsh just missed out on the play offs in 5th.  Rotherham have a tight budget and a squad with very few well known players.  Welsh have a new head coach in James Buckland, so will likely come in with a solid set piece and pragmatic game plan.  
Prediction:  Welsh to grind out an away win.


Nottingham Rugby vs. London Scottish
Nottingham finished 7th last year, and as ever are bolstered by some dual registered players from Leicester Tigers this year.  Scottish finished 8th, but have had a tricky summer and looked as if they may not even have a squad not so long ago.  They now have a number of dual registered players, some from the SRU and some from Worcester Warriors, but it's impossible to know how they will fare at this early stage.
Prediction:  Comfortable home win.




So that's my guesses at this weekends results, and for what it's worth this is my prediction for finishing order after 22 rounds;-


1. London Irish, 2. Yorkshire Carnegie, 3. Jersey, 4. Doncaster Knights, 5. Bedford Blues, 6. London Welsh, 7. Ealing Trailfinders, 8. Nottingham Rugby, 9. Rotherham Titans, 10. London Scottish, 11. Cornish Pirates, 12. Richmond.

Top thread Ozzy. There are a few London-based Scots around that follow Scottish so I'm sure you'll have a few contributors.

Tough season ahead for a few clubs, none more so than Richmond but it's great to see them at this level. A marvellous club with a great history.

As for Scottish, a late start to the season showed as they got thumped 73-7 by Sarries first team at the weekend.

A worthwhile thread as the Championship contains many potentially 'big' clubs and has been scandalously devalued by the RFU in terms of profile and investment. I will follow with interest.

It's hard to see much past a swift return for Irish I think, although I'm sure they will be tested along the way.

I am slightly concerned for Richmond, I know a few of their players who are certainly on the amateur end of the spectrum, it will be a big step up for them. What a great story to have them back near the top though, especially with Welsh and Scottish in the same league. Jersey are also a great story, I hope they stay up.

I don't think there will be any chance of Jersey getting relegated Bathman, they will almost certainly be top half of the table.

I would love to see Richmond stay up as well, but that will be incredibly tough for them.  Am really looking forward to a visit to the RAG when we play them though.

Can't disagree with these - or the final positions.

Just hope that LI can keep it together in the play-offs, or alternatively (now I'm in Yorkshire) that Carnegie do the business to see some Premiership sides up here.

Donny have more chance.

I don't know, Carnegie have recruited pretty well and have a decent looking side this year.

I don't see either pushing you lot but can't see Leeds improving that much from last.

Having not watched a lot of championship rugby last season, it may just be that i know a few more of the Carnegie players than the Doncaster ones.

London Welsh facing a winding up order on Monday.

Suggestions that last months wages have not been paid, nor the insurance - so lord knows what that means for this weekend's game.

Sadly, from a conversation I had yesterday with a good friend of the London Welsh chairman, I believe it could be curtains for them tomorrow.