CHAMPIONSHIP CUP: Here's how it works

CHAMPIONSHIP CUP - HOW IT WORKS

With London Irish’s next home game being the RFU Championship Cup clash against Cornish Pirates, here’s a rundown of how the competition works.

FORMAT

The current competition format is a group stage followed by a knock-out stage, with each of the three groups consisting of four teams from roughly the same region. Running for six consecutive weeks through November to December, the fixtures will determine the top two sides from each group plus the two best third placed teams to progress to the knockout stage. 

The best ranked sides will get home advantage in the quarter-finals, with the four winning quarter-finalists obviously progressing to the semi-finals. The final will take place in May. 

Please be aware that all Championship Cup pool fixtures are part of the season ticket and seasonal hospitality packages.   

GROUPS

Group 1

Ealing Trailfinders

Jersey Reds

London Scottish

Richmond

Group 2

Bedford Blues

Cornish Pirates

Hartpury RFC

LONDON IRISH

Group 3

Coventry

Doncaster Knights

Nottingham Rugby

Yorkshire Carnegie

LONDON IRISH FIXTURES

Sun 18 Nov - London Irish v Cornish Pirates (kick-off 3pm)

Sun 25 Nov - London Irish v Bedford Blues (kick-off 3pm)

Sat 1 Dec - Bedford Blues v London Irish (kick-off 3pm)

Sun 9 Dec - London Irish v Hartpury RFC (kick-off 3pm)

Sat 15 Dec - Cornish Pirates v London Irish (kick-off 2pm)

Tickets for the Championship Cup fixture against Cornish Pirates on Sunday 18 November are available at ticketing.londonirish.net or by calling 0118 968 1016.