Championship Rules 2010-11

The second RFU Championship season will follow the three stage system of the inaugural 2009-10 campaign - 22 Rounds (Stage 1), six play-off rounds (Stage 2) followed by semi-finals and a two-legged final (Stage 3).

The 2010-11 RFU Championship Clubs finishing in the top eight will go into two promotion pools of four and based on their ranking will start with points as a reward for their record during Rounds 1-22.

The 1st ranked team will have three points, the 2nd two, the 3rd one and the 4th none. This is a new introduction which rewards teams for their record in Stage 1.

Clubs finishing in the bottom four will go into one relegation pool and will carry forward one point for every game won in Rounds 1-22. Again, this is a new introduction.

Transfer Deadline

The transfer deadline for signing players ahead of the play-offs has been extended by two weeks until Friday 28 th January, prior to Round 19

Academy And Loan Players

In addition, clubs may not play or select as a replacement in a match more than six England Academy players and loan players, of which no more than three shall be loan players.

The British & Irish Cup pools and fixtures are being finalised and will be announced in due course.

League programme - Stage 1
(22 matches, starting weekend of August 28)

* all teams playing 22 matches (11 home & 11 away)
* 4 points for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 bonus point for either a) scoring 4 or more tries or b) losing by 7 points or less
* top 8 teams from league progress to promotion play-offs
* teams 9-12 from league progress to relegation play-offs

Promotion Play-Offs - Stage 2 (6 matches)

* promotion play-off matches March 12, 19, 26 to April 2, 9, 16
* 2 pools of 4 teams playing 6 matches (3 home & 3 away)
* teams finishing 1, 4, 5 & 8 from league play in Pool A and will be ranked 1 to 4
* teams finishing 2, 3, 6 & 7 from league play in Pool B and will be ranked 1 to 4
* the 1st ranked team in each pool will start the play-offs with three points, the 2nd two, the 3rd one and the 4th none
* 4 points for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 bonus point for either a) scoring 4 or more tries or b) losing by 7 points or less
* after 6 pool matches, top 2 teams from Pools A & B progress to semi final and then the winners to the final

Relegation Play-Offs (6 matches)

* relegation play-off matches scheduled for March 12, 19, 26 - April 2, 9, 16
* 1 pool of 4 teams playing 6 matches (3 home & 3 away)
* each team will carry forward one point for every game won in Stage 1.
* 4 points for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 bonus point for either a) scoring 4 or more tries or b) losing by 7 points or less
* after 6 pool matches played, lowest ranked team is relegated to National Division One (level three)

Knockout games - Stage 3 (3 matches)

* semi final draw -
1st Pool A v 2nd Pool B & 1st Pool B v 2nd Pool A
* semi finals April 30
* final May 14 & 21(tbc - subject to broadcast rights holders Sky Sports).
* winner of Championship final promoted to Guinness Premiership subject to fulfilling entry criteria