The Championship playoffs

[psychic duck]

In the Championship playoff semi finals first legs, London Welsh defeated Bedford away 13-3 to take a 10 point lead into the second leg which will be played at home

Whilst Cornish Pirates beat the table toppers Bristol 45-24 at home, overcoming a 17-9 half time deficit to take a large 21 point lead into the second leg, Bristol will be kicking themselves and no doubt cursing the stupid system which gave them little advantage for winning the league

And to clarify:

Bristol are eligible for promotion if they win
London Welsh could be promoted, pending their Premiership application which involves a ground share deal with football side Brentford
Bedford and Cornish Pirates cannot be promoted

 

[TRF_Cymro]

C'mon the Welsh, apparently had to dog it out in some horrendous conditions in Bedford Friday.

The Pirates - Bristol game was a fantastic advert for Championship rugby on Sky this afternoon, back and forward all game. Pirates look mighty strong.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

From the sound of things, only Bristol would be granted a licence to play in the Premiership. If that's true, Newcastle will be mightily relieved at the result of today's game.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

From the sound of things, only Bristol would be granted a licence to play in the Premiership. If that's true, Newcastle will be mightily relieved at the result of today's game.

London Welsh are also in the running and I would not count them out if they did make the final and win.

 

[Getofmeland]

COME ON PIRATES... I hope they win the league... Then Create Pressure to the RFU to let them play... Bugger the Rules... If they make it into the league then let them play...

 

[Teh Mite]

London Welsh are highly unlikely to get aq ground-share deal as primary tenants. Pirates aren't seeking promotion at all. Bristol apparently are good at imitating Northampton by choking in finals.

Newcastle are lucky feckers.

 

[SelimNiai]

London Welsh are highly unlikely to get aq ground-share deal as primary tenants. Pirates aren't seeking promotion at all. Bristol apparently are good at imitating Northampton by choking in finals.

Newcastle are lucky feckers.

Not having that!

It's a Semi Final we're making a dogs dinner of this year.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

London Welsh today confirmed that they will be eligible for promotion if they so win the Play Offs.

 

[Nielsch]

London Welsh today confirmed that they will be eligible for promotion if they so win the Play Offs.

Not exactly. They say they believe they are eligible because they feel they can make timely arrangements should they need to. No RFU statement yet. From what I gather from their website they are looking at four different grounds, two of which have already hosted Premiership and Heineken Cup rugby. From the LW website:

The Board of London Welsh ('LW') would like to comment on recent press reports regarding the eligibility or otherwise of certain clubs, presently involved in the Championship Play-Offs, to gain promotion to the Premiership in the event of their winning such Play-Offs. So far as LW are concerned, we have cooperated fully with PMP Legacy, the consultants appointed by the RFU and Premiership Rugby, and have given them every assistance to conduct an audit on two grounds we are considering for use next Season in the event we win the Championship. LW have also had discussions with two other clubs whose grounds it believes would already satisfy the MSC and would thus not require a technical audit (indeed these grounds have in the past Season hosted, for example, Premiership and Heineken Cup games). As regards Primacy of Tenure, LW have expressed to the RFU and Premiership Rugby our complete confidence that we will be in a position to effect any necessary arrangements in a timely fashion to satisfy also any such requirements and well in advance of the start of the next season to enable the Aviva Premiership fixture list to be prepared in the usual manner. LW have thus far not been advised by PMP Legacy, the RFU or Premiership Rugby that we would not be considered suitable to play in the Premiership should we win the Championship. Indeed we have engaged in the Play-Offs in the good faith and understanding that having submitted ourselves to the Audit process we would be eligible for promotion if we win the Championship.

Bleddyn Phillips
Chairman
London Welsh Rugby Football Club Ltd​

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Not exactly. They say they believe they are eligible because they feel they can make timely arrangements should they need to. No RFU statement yet. From what I gather from their website they are looking at four different grounds, two of which have already hosted Premiership and Heineken Cup rugby. From the LW website:

Urm, yes it is. They have been given clear indication from the consultations that if they win promotion they will be given access as long as they get one of the stadiums they are looking at (one of which is Brentford FC's ground).

 

[Nielsch]

Urm, yes it is. They have been given clear indication from the consultations that if they win promotion they will be given access as long as they get one of the stadiums they are looking at (one of which is Brentford RFC's ground).

No they haven't been given this indication. Besides, the consultants =/= RFU

 

[TRF_Cymro]

No they haven't been given this indication. Besides, the consultants =/= RFU

If you want to argue it then you can. They have been given indication that if they win the Play Offs they are likely to win promotion. That is what has been said.

 

[Getofmeland]

Don't worry as the pirates will win the playoff, and Newcastle will be kept in the premiership!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[TRF_Cymro]

You hope.

 

[LittleGuy]

Cornish are through to the finals, even though they lost to Bristol 29-18 as the margin was too much for Bristol to make up on aggregate, the Blues and Welsh are in a thrilling matchup right now, Blues are down by three on aggregate with minutes to go rfu.com is streaming the game.

 

[SelimNiai]

Im beyond gutted. We did well today in making up the difference and never giving up. We just had to much to do and on the day missed at least 2 tries.

I hate the playoffs.

 

[LittleGuy]

Yeah that was heartbreaking for Bristol fans, London Welsh have held on and won on aggregate by three, so we have a Welsh vs Pirates final.

 

[SelimNiai]

Go London Welsh. They should relegate Newcastle anyway.

 

[04perryo]

These championship play offs are a terrible idea a team coming 8th can win and a team coming 9th can be relegated, Tough luck for bristol best team all year but sadly not coming back to the prem.

 

[SelimNiai]

Trouble is that each team is getting stronger. Someone really needs to invest in this product to take it where it can go.