The RFU Championship fixtures for 2021/22 have been published, with the Reds opening their league programme with a trip to London Scottish on the weekend of September 18th. The match at the Athletic Ground in Richmond will mark the return to Championship action for Scottish, who sat out the 2020/21 campaign as a result of Covid-19 restrictions.
The Reds' 10 home league fixtures are all confirmed as being played on Saturdays, with just a minor variation in kick-off times between 2pm and 3pm. The home opener against Bedford Blues will kick off at 2.30pm on Saturday September 25th. The precise KO time for four of the later home games will be confirmed shortly.
Dates and times of the Reds' away league matches will be confirmed shortly.
The competition will be played over 22 rounds, with the final matches scheduled for the weekend of 19 March next year.
The league will consist of 11 teams in the upcoming season after Saracens secured promotion back to the Premiership, following a two-leg final against Ealing Trailfinders, and with London Scottish returning to the fray.
A new title sponsor for the Championship is actively being sought as Greene King IPA’s sponsorship of the league finishes on 31 August 2021.
Championship Chairman Steve Lloyd, commenting on the new season said: “We’re delighted to be announcing a full list of fixtures after an atypical season due to the pandemic.
“I know clubs are delighted that they will be able to welcome fans back at full capacity next season.”
RFU Director of Performance Rugby Conor O’Shea added: “Clubs and the league’s organisers did a brilliant job staging the Championship this season, given all the challenges presented by the pandemic. We’re all looking forward to the upcoming season and the fixtures coming out will provide a focus for clubs as they plan for their first games.
“We are proud of our partnership with Greene King IPA which has been in place since June 2013. I’d like to thank them for their support of the Championship during this time as the first title partner of the league.”
The Championship Cup will be played at the completion of the league campaign, with details to be announced in due course.
In addition to the league fixtures, the Reds are building up to pre-season matches on their home turf against Gallagher Premiership opposition – Leicester Tigers on Friday August 27th (k-o 5pm) and Sale Sharks on Friday September 3rd (k-o 7.45pm). The first action of the season will be on Friday August 20th with an away game to French Pro D2 side Rugby Club Vannes (k-o 7.30pm French time).
Jersey Reds RFU Championship fixtures 2021/22
(please note for fixtures marked * - exact KO time to be confirmed but will be within the 2-3pm span)
w/e 18-Sep London Scottish A
Sat 25-Sep BEDFORD BLUES H - 2.30pm
w/e 02-Oct Bye
w/e 09-Oct Doncaster Knights A
w/e 16-Oct Reserve
Sat 23-Oct AMPTHILL & DISTRICT H - 2.30pm
w/e 30-Oct Richmond A
Sat 06-Nov HARTPURY UNIVERSITY H - 2.15pm
w/e 13-Nov Reserve
w/e 20-Nov Ealing Trailfinders A
Sat 27-Nov CORNISH PIRATES H - 2.15pm
w/e 04-Dec Nottingham A
Sat 11-Dec COVENTRY H - 2-3pm*
Sat 18-Dec LONDON SCOTTISH H - 3.00pm
w/e 25-Dec Bedford Blues A
w/e 01-Jan Bye
w/e 08-Jan No Rugby
Sat 15-Jan DONCASTER KNIGHTS H - 3.00pm
w/e 22-Jan Ampthill & District A
Sat 29-Jan RICHMOND H - 2-3pm*
w/e 05-Feb Reserve
w/e 12-Feb Hartpury University A
Sat 19-Feb EALING TRAILFINDERS H - 2-3pm*
w/e 26-Feb Cornish Pirates A
w/e 05-Mar Reserve
Sat 12-Mar NOTTINGHAM H - 2-3pm*
w/e 19-Mar Coventry A
w/e 26-Mar Reserve
Apr/May Championship Cup (details tbc)
