The Championship blog – Play-offs: Round 1

“ANYONE WHO thinks that life is fair,” Richard M. Nixon once said, “has been seriously misinformed.” A view held, amongst others, by many of the Newcastle Falcons squad who, after…

THE RHETORIC of battles is always used in professional rugby, as if the weeks of weights and hours of Xbox were shared experiences with servicemen and women garrisoned around the…

The Championship blog – Week 22 round-up

IN A cruel twist of fate, Bristol became the only side to defeat Newcastle this season in any form of competition, only to learn that Leeds had secured the fourth…

The Championship blog – Week 21 round-up

IT'S QUIET, drinking in the last chance saloon. The barman has gone home and told London Welsh to lock up on their way out. Because, unless someone from the Championship…

B&I and Championship round-up

A CHAMPIONSHIP club is guaranteed a place in this year’s final of the British and Irish Cup; and it is little surprise that they will meet one of the Irish…

The Championship blog – Week 20 round-up

DONCASTER, WHO began league life in Yorkshire 2, and rejoice in being the ‘most promoted club in England, have three games left to avert relegation to National League One. But…

The Championship blog – Week 19 round-up

BRISTOL HAVE parted company with Liam Middleton, following their defeat by Moseley at Billesley Common. The former Westcountry giants’ second consecutive league loss means that making the play-offs is far…

The Championship blog – Week 18 round-up

ANY THOUGHTS of prematurely engraving the name of Newcastle Falcons on the Championship silverware were put firmly on hold when Bedford came within seconds on inflicting a first defeat on…

The Championship blog – Week 17 round-up

NEWCASTLE HAVE qualified for the knock-out stages of the Championship; not that this was ever in much doubt. And, with five rounds remaining, even if they do not score another…

The Championship blog – Week 16 round-up

BRISTOL PICKED up a valuable bonus-point win over Rotherham with relative ease, watched by their new director of Rugby, Andy Robinson. The former Scotland national coach’s first day at work…