Prediction league 26/27 Week 1

[Titans.Chris]

Tough one for me having not followed the Champ too closely over the last few seasons. Always have to back the mighty Roth even with our ridiculously difficult start back in the Champ.

Caldy 1 - 4 Hartpury RFC
Rotherham Titans 5 - 2 Coventry
Worcester Warriors 5 - 1 Bedford Blues
Chinnor 1 - 5 Ealing Trailfinders
Richmond 4 - 1 Ampthill

Sunday, 20 Sep 2026

Cornish Pirates 5 - 0 Doncaster Knights

[Rothman2]

Chris. Don’t forget the new bonus points system starting this season as per separate thread. Note applies to the Champ only.

[Paul_10]

New rules mean 2 losing bonus points impossible now. Have I read that correctly?

You can get 1 for being close but not another one for 4 tries.

[Rothman2]

That is correct. You get a losing bonus if the losing team is within 7 points, but a losing team cannot get a try bonus point.

As mentioned previously though, in so far as league games are concerned, this only applies to the Champ, and not National 1 or 2.

[Rothoik]

Looking at last year there will be a few 5 pointers. Here is my wishful thinking:

Fri 18th :

Nottingham 4- Blackheath 1

Sat 19th:

Caldy 1 - 4 Hartpury RFC
Rotherham Titans 4 - 1 Coventry
Worcester Warriors 4 - 1 Bedford Blues
Chinnor 0 - 5 Ealing Trailfinders
Richmond 1 - 4 Ampthill

Sunday, 20 Sep 2026

Cornish Pirates 4 - 1 Doncaster Knights

From my understanding you can't pick up 2 losing bonus points.

[Titans.Chris]

Oh yes thanks RM2

Updated

Caldy 1 - 4 Hartpury RFC
Rotherham Titans 4 - 1 Coventry
Worcester Warriors 4 - 1 Bedford Blues
Chinnor 0 - 5 Ealing Trailfinders
Richmond 4 - 1 Ampthill

Sunday, 20 Sep 2026

Cornish Pirates 5 - 0 Doncaster Knights

[Park Ranger]

Thought I would add my thoughts about the two promoted teams from Nat One because I know buggar all about the Championship being an old fart Nat One follower.
I’m going with a narrow win for Rotherham just because of home advantage and a defeat for Blackheath for the same reason.
It’s a huge step up from Nat One into the Championship and several recently promoted sides have only just survived whilst others such as Chinnor and Caldy seem to have consolidated nicely. I guess Richmond will struggle again.

[Park Ranger]

What is absolutely tragic is the huge jeopardy relating to relegation but zero chance of promotion unless you are invited to join the elite based on a combination of ability plus more importantly financial clout and ground criteria compliance.
Most of us here in National One who remember tight games against Ealing feel desperately sorry for the unfairness of their treatment whilst Newcastle Falcons remain a protected entity due to Red Bull money.