Cornish Pirates

The captains of English Rugby's new 'Championship' gathered at Twickenham on Wednesday for a photo-call and official launch of the 12-club tournament.

At the unveiling at Twickenham Stadium, where the final will take place on the 8 th May, 2010, when a new trophy and the promotion to the Premiership will be the ultimate prize on offer, RFU ChiefExecutive Francis Baron said:

“The RFU Championship will be a vital part of the structure of rugby in this country. Significant investment from the RFU and Premier Rugby Limited, coupled with more matches and television coverage under the SkySports contract, will give the clubs more financial security than ever before and create a vibrant and viable structure to take the game forward.”

RFU Elite Rugby Director Rob Andrew said:

"The Championship will provide quality rugby for spectators as well as developing players, coaches and referees in a competitive and professional environment. Ten of England's Under-20 squad at this year's World Championship in Japan, including captain Calum Clark (Leeds Carnegie) and Henry Trinder (Moseley) played in this league last season so it plays a vital role in the future of the England team."

Geoff Irvine, RFU Council representative for the Championship Clubs, added:

"This is a new and exciting concept. The clubs are throwing themselves wholeheartedly into making this competition a success. All the teams have recruited well and if we thought it was tough league last year it's going to be even tougher this season - there will be no place to hide."

  How the Championship works

Reduction from 16 to 12 clubs
Bedford Blues, Birmingham & Solihull, Bristol Rugby, Cornish Pirates, Coventry, Doncaster Knights, Exeter Chiefs, London Welsh, Moseley, Nottingham Rugby, Plymouth Albion, Rotherham Titans.

League programme (22 matches)
* all teams playing 22 matches (11 home & 11 away)
* 4 points for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 bonus point for either a) scoring * 4 or more tries or b) losing by 7 points or less
* top 8 teams from league progress to promotion play-offs
* teams 9-12 from league progress to relegation play-offs.

Promotion play-offs (8 matches)
* 2 pools of 4 teams playing 6 matches (3 home & 3 away)
* 4 points for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 bonus point for either a) scoring * 4 or more tries or b) losing by 7 points or less
* teams ranked 1, 4, 5 & 8 from league play in Pool A
* teams ranked 2, 3, 6 & 7 from league play in Pool B
* after 6 pool matches, top 2 teams from Pools A & B progress to semi final and then the winners to the final
* semi final draw - 1st Pool A v 2nd Pool B & 1st Pool B v 2nd Pool A
* promotion play-off matches scheduled March 13 - April 17
* semi finals May 1 & final May 8 at Twickenham
* winner of Championship final promoted to Guinness Premiership subject to fulfilling entry criteria.

Relegation play-offs (6 matches)
* 1 pool of 4 teams playing 6 matches (3 home & 3 away)
* 4 points for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 bonus point for either a) scoring
* 4 or more tries or b) losing by 7 points or less
* relegation play-off matches scheduled for March 13 - April 17
* after 6 pool matches played, lowest ranked team is relegated to newly-named National Division One (level three).