The 2009–10 RFU Championship was the 1st season (of the professionalised format) of the second division of the English domestic rugby union competitions, played between August 2009 and May 2010. The league had been restructured from the 16 teams of the previous season down to just 12. New teams included Bristol who had been relegated from the Guinness Premiership 2008–09 and Birmingham and Solihull who had been promoted from National Division Two 2008–09. As well as a decrease in teams, the league would now consist of three parts - a standard league section, promotion/relegation pools and then playoffs to determine who would go up as champions.

During this season, Exeter Chiefs won promotion to the Aviva Premiership 2010–11 by beating Bristol in the playoff final. This marked Exeter's first ever promotion to the Premiership, which they would later win in 2017.

Despite finishing 11th of 12 after the first stage Coventry were relegated to the 2010–11 National League 1 as they finished bottom of the relegation pool.

Participating teams

2009–10 RFU Championship is located in England
Locations of the 2009–10 RFU Championship teams
TeamStadiumCapacityCity/Area
Bedford BluesGoldington Road5,000 (1,700 seats)Bedford, Bedfordshire
Birmingham & SolihullSharmans Cross3,500 (1,000 seats)Solihull, West Midlands
BristolMemorial Stadium12,100Bristol
Cornish PiratesRecreation Ground9,000Camborne, Cornwall
CoventryButts Park Arena4,000Coventry, West Midlands
Doncaster KnightsCastle Park3,075Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Exeter ChiefsSandy Park10,000Exeter, Devon
London WelshOld Deer Park5,850 (1,000 seats)Richmond, London
MoseleyBillesley Common3,000+Birmingham, West Midlands
NottinghamMeadow Lane19,588Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Plymouth AlbionThe Brickfields6,500Plymouth, Devon
Rotherham TitansClifton Lane2,500Rotherham, South Yorkshire

Notes

Stage 1 League Table

2009–10 RFU Championship table
PosTeamvtePldWDLPFPAPDBPtsQualification
1Bristol221903630337+2931692Promotion playoffs
2Exeter Chiefs221903699360+3391288
3London Welsh221417483376+107962
4Bedford Blues221219581436+145959
5Nottingham2212010539520+191159
6Cornish Pirates2211110555463+92955
7Doncaster Knights2210012394386+8848
8Plymouth Albion2210111389462−73648
9Moseley2210012444543−99646Relegation playoffs
10Rotherham Titans227015451520−691543
11Coventry225116346565−219512
12Birmingham & Solihull220121293836−5434−9
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Difference between points for and against
  3. Total number of points for
  4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  5. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled Notes:

Results

Round 1

4 September 2009
Coventry21 - 12Rotherham Titans
Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,390 Referee: Darren Gamage
5 September 2009
Doncaster Knights12 - 26Bedford Blues (BP)
Castle Park Attendance: 1,248 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
5 September 2009
Moseley25 - 50Exeter Chiefs (BP)
Billesley Common Attendance: 842 Referee: Martin Fox
5 September 2009
(BP) Plymouth Albion33 - 10Birmingham & Solihull
Brickfields Attendance: 2,176 Referee: Luke Pearce
6 September 2009
Bristol28 - 23London Welsh (BP)
Memorial Stadium Attendance: 5,025 Referee: Sean Davey
6 September 2009
Nottingham13 - 24Cornish Pirates
Meadow Lane Attendance: 1,232 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts

Round 2

12 September 2009
(BP) Bedford Blues42 - 6Coventry
Goldington Road Attendance: 2,852 Referee: Michael Tutty
12 September 2009
(BP) Birmingham & Solihull36 - 40Bristol (BP)
Sharmans Cross Attendance: 1,223 Referee: Chris Sharp
12 September 2009
Exeter Chiefs32 - 20Doncaster Knights
Sandy Park Attendance: 3,573 Referee: Rob Debney
13 September 2009
(BP) Cornish Pirates57 - 24Moseley (BP)
Recreation Ground Attendance: 2,632 Referee: David Rose
13 September 2009
Nottingham23 - 16London Welsh (BP)
Meadow Lane Attendance: 1,006 Referee: JP Doyle
13 September 2009
Rotherham Titans29 - 16Plymouth Albion
Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,125 Referee: Terry Hall

Round 3

18 September 2009
Coventry13 - 27Exeter Chiefs
Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,500 Referee: Sean Davey
18 September 2009
Doncaster Knights10 - 21Cornish Pirates
Castle Park Attendance: 1,728 Referee: Andrew Taylorson
19 September 2009
(BP) London Welsh37 - 12Birmingham & Solihull
Old Deer Park Attendance: 1,650 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
19 September 2009
Moseley20 - 31Nottingham (BP)
Billesley Common Attendance: 754 Referee: Adrian Hartwell
19 September 2009
Plymouth Albion3 - 38Bedford Blues (BP)
Brickfields Attendance: 2,303 Referee: Keith Lewis
20 September 2009
(BP) Bristol36 - 10Rotherham Titans
Memorial Stadium Attendance: 4,305 Referee: Rowan Kitt

Round 4

26 September 2009
(BP) Bedford Blues5 - 6Bristol
Goldington Road Attendance: 4,067 Referee: Greg Garner
26 September 2009
Exeter Chiefs30 - 24Plymouth Albion (BP)
Sandy Park Attendance: 5,072 Referee: Dean Richards
26 September 2009
(BP) Moseley33 - 25Doncaster Knights
Billesley Common Attendance: 749 Referee: Paul Knowles
26 September 2009
(BP) Rotherham Titans22 - 28London Welsh
Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,262 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts
27 September 2009
Cornish Pirates20 - 14Coventry (BP)
Recreation Ground Attendance: 2,695 Referee: JP Doyle
27 September 2009
(BP) Nottingham53 - 17Birmingham & Solihull
Meadow Lane Attendance: 1,210 Referee: Mark Wilson

Round 5

2 October 2009
(2BP) Coventry25 - 28Moseley (BP)
Butts Park Arena Attendance: 2,003 Referee: Luke Pearce
3 October 2009
Birmingham & Solihull0 - 29Rotherham Titans (BP)
Sharmans Cross Attendance: 377 Referee: Rob Debney
3 October 2009
Doncaster Knights7 - 23Nottingham
Castle Park Attendance: 1,323 Referee: Keith Lewis
3 October 2009
London Welsh28 - 17Bedford Blues
Old Deer Park Attendance: 2,240 Referee: Rowan Kitt
3 October 2009
Plymouth Albion16 - 8Cornish Pirates
Brickfields Attendance: 4,004 Referee: David Rose
4 October 2009
Bristol26 - 35Exeter Chiefs (BP)
Memorial Stadium Attendance: 6,895 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts

Round 6

9 October 2009
(BP) Nottingham46 - 0Rotherham Titans
Meadow Lane Attendance: 1,049 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts
10 October 2009
(BP) Bedford Blues53 - 25Birmingham & Solihull
Goldington Road Attendance: 3,180 Referee: Terry Hall
10 October 2009
Exeter Chiefs13 - 9London Welsh (BP)
Sandy Park Attendance: 4,378 Referee: David Rose
10 October 2009
(BP) Doncaster Knights14 - 17Coventry
Castle Park Attendance: 1,310
10 October 2009
Moseley26 - 15Plymouth Albion
Billesley Common Attendance: 950 Referee: Darren Gamage
11 October 2009
Cornish Pirates13 - 35Bristol (BP)
Recreation Ground Attendance: 4,115 Referee: Keith Lewis

Round 7

16 October 2009
Bristol19 - 9Moseley
Memorial Stadium Attendance: 5,149 Referee: Andrew Small
16 October 2009
(BP) Coventry13 - 18Nottingham
Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,313 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
17 October 2009
Birmingham & Solihull21 - 51Exeter Chiefs (BP)
Sharmans Cross Attendance: 367 Referee: Chris Sharp
17 October 2009
Plymouth Albion6 - 21Doncaster Knights
Brickfields Attendance: 2,395 Referee: Roy Maybank
17 October 2009
(BP) London Welsh34 - 10Cornish Pirates
Old Deer Park Attendance: 1,980 Referee: Rowan Kitt
17 October 2009
(BP) Rotherham Titans25 - 27Bedford Blues
Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,304 Referee: Michael Tutty

Round 8

23 October 2009
Coventry26 - 10Plymouth Albion
Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,076 Referee: Graham Knox
24 October 2009
Doncaster Knights26 - 22Bristol (BP)
Castle Park Attendance: 1,907 Referee: Mark Wilson
24 October 2009
(BP) Exeter Chiefs43 - 10Rotherham Titans
Sandy Park Attendance: 3,828 Referee: Andrew Taylorson
24 October 2009
(BP) Moseley17 - 21London Welsh
Billesley Common Attendance: 964 Referee: Rob Debney
25 October 2009
(BP) Cornish Pirates62 - 10Birmingham & Solihull
Recreation Ground Attendance: 2,530 Referee: Paul Knowles
25 October 2009
Nottingham30 - 29Bedford Blues (BP)
Meadow Lane Attendance: 1,584 Referee: Greg Garner

Round 9

30 October 2009
(BP) Bristol46 - 28Coventry
Memorial Stadium Attendance: 4,839 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts
31 October 2009
Bedford Blues11 - 20Exeter Chiefs
Goldington Road Attendance: 3,297 Referee: Rob Debney
31 October 2009
(BP) Birmingham & Solihull16 - 23Moseley
Sharmans Cross Attendance: 1,084 Referee: Andrew Taylorson
31 October 2009
London Welsh9 - 20Doncaster Knights
Old Deer Park Attendance: 1,690 Referee: Greg Garner
31 October 2009
(BP) Plymouth Albion31 - 25Nottingham (BP)
Brickfields Attendance: 2,078 Referee: JP Doyle
31 October 2009
Rotherham Titans29 - 20Cornish Pirates
Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,287 Referee: Andrew Small

Round 10

6 November 2009
Coventry10 - 19London Welsh
Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,133 Referee: Paul Knowles
7 November 2009
(BP) Doncaster Knights36 - 7Birmingham & Solihull
Castle Park Attendance: 1,312
7 November 2009
Moseley31 - 27Rotherham Titans (BP)
Billesley Common Attendance: 978 Referee: Andrew Small
7 November 2009
Nottingham11 - 42Exeter Chiefs (BP)
Welford Road, Leicester Attendance: 1,216 Referee: Keith Lewis
7 November 2009
Plymouth Albion8 - 33Bristol (BP)
Brickfields Attendance: 2,993 Referee: Terry Hall
8 November 2009
Cornish Pirates25 - 24Bedford Blues (BP)
Recreation Ground Attendance: 2,465 Referee: David Rose

Round 11

13 November 2009
Bedford Blues23 - 7Moseley
Goldington Road Attendance: 2,282 Referee: Dean Richards
14 November 2009
Birmingham & Solihull6 - 21Coventry
Sharmans Cross Attendance: 477 Referee: Rowan Kitt
14 November 2009
Exeter Chiefs22 - 15Cornish Pirates (BP)
Sandy Park Attendance: 6,158 Referee: Mark Wilson
14 November 2009
London Welsh12 - 24Plymouth Albion (BP)
Old Deer Park Attendance: 874 Referee: D May
14 November 2009
Rotherham Titans11 - 7Doncaster Knights (BP)
Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,610 Referee: Adrian Hartwell
15 November 2009
(BP) Bristol35 - 11Nottingham
Memorial Stadium Attendance: 4,784 Referee: David Pearson

Round 12

4 December 2009
Coventry15 - 15Bedford Blues
Ricoh Arena Attendance: 1,306 Referee: Darren Gamage
5 December 2009
(BP) Doncaster Knights9 - 14Exeter Chiefs
Castle Park Attendance: 1,565 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts
5 December 2009
London Welsh19 - 14Nottingham (BP)
Old Deer Park Attendance: 910 Referee: Adrian Hartwell
5 December 2009
(BP) Moseley19 - 20Cornish Pirates
Billesley Common Attendance: 901 Referee: Luke Pearce
5 December 2009
Plymouth Albion20 - 15Rotherham Titans (BP)
Brickfields Attendance: 1,795 Referee: Dean Richards
6 December 2009
(BP) Bristol28 - 0Birmingham & Solihull
Memorial Stadium Attendance: 4,440 Referee: Paul Knowles

Round 13

12 December 2009
(BP) Bedford Blues16 - 19Plymouth Albion
Goldington Road Attendance: 2,353 Referee: Luke Pearce
12 December 2009
Birmingham & Solihull6 - 29London Welsh (BP)
Sharmans Cross Attendance: 407 Referee: Chris Sharp
12 December 2009
(BP) Exeter Chiefs45 - 11Coventry
Sandy Park Attendance: 3,952 Referee: Terry Hall
12 December 2009
Rotherham Titans0 - 15Bristol
Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,257 Referee: Rob Debney
13 December 2009
(BP) Cornish Pirates10 - 12Doncaster Knights
Recreation Ground Attendance: 2,667 Referee: Roy Maybank
13 December 2009
(BP) Nottingham30 - 15Moseley
Meadow Lane Attendance: 1,303 Referee: Dean Richards

Round 14

18 December 2009
(BP) Bristol37 - 16Bedford Blues
Memorial Stadium Attendance: 4,869 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
18 December 2009
Coventry12 - 27Cornish Pirates (BP)
Butts Park Arena Attendance: 802 Referee: Mark Wilson
19 December 2009
Birmingham & SolihullP - PNottingham
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 2 February 2010.
19 December 2009
Doncaster Knights14 - 3Moseley
Castle Park Attendance: 1,334 Referee: Keith Lewis
19 December 2009
(BP) London Welsh30 - 24Rotherham Titans (2BP)
Old Deer Park Attendance: 961 Referee: Sean Davey
19 December 2009
Plymouth Albion23 - 13Exeter Chiefs
Brickfields Attendance: 4,430 Referee: Rowan Kitt

Round 15

26 December 2009
Bedford Blues30 - 23London Welsh (BP)
Goldington Road Attendance: 4,033 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts
26 December 2009
Moseley26 - 20Coventry (BP)
Billesley Common Attendance: 998 Referee: Rowan Kitt
27 December 2009
(BP) Cornish Pirates46 - 7Plymouth Albion
Recreation Ground Attendance: 5,654 Referee: Terry Hall
27 December 2009
Exeter Chiefs16 - 25Bristol (BP)
Sandy Park Attendance: 7,405 Referee: Greg Garner
28 December 2009
NottinghamP - PDoncaster Knights
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 20 January 2010.
28 December 2009
Rotherham TitansP - PBirmingham & Solihull
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 20 January 2010.

Round 16

1 January 2010
(BP) Bristol31 - 15Cornish Pirates
Memorial Stadium Attendance: 7,714 Referee: JP Doyle
2 January 2010
Birmingham & Solihull10 - 49Bedford Blues (BP)
Goldington Road, Bedford Attendance: 1,407 Referee: Darren Gamage
2 January 2010
CoventryP - PDoncaster Knights
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 10 February 2010.
2 January 2010
London Welsh12 - 10Exeter Chiefs (BP)
Old Deer Park Attendance: 1,632 Referee: Mark Williams
2 January 2010
Plymouth Albion10 - 20Moseley
Brickfields Attendance: 2,168 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts
2 January 2010
Rotherham TitansP - PNottingham
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 11 February 2010.

Round 17

15 January 2010
BristolP - PDoncaster Knights
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 24 February 2010.
16 January 2010
(BP) Bedford Blues51 - 19Nottingham
Goldington Road Attendance: 2,088 Referee: Rowan Kitt
16 January 2010
Plymouth Albion20 - 3Coventry
Brickfields Attendance: 2,151 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
17 January 2010
(BP) Birmingham & Solihull31 - 31Cornish Pirates (BP)
Sharmans Cross Attendance: 916 Referee: Wayne Barnes
17 January 2010
London Welsh22 - 6Moseley
Old Deer Park Attendance: 910 Referee: Keith Lewis
17 January 2010
(BP) Rotherham Titans18 - 24Exeter Chiefs
Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,076 Referee: Michael Tutty

Round 15 (Rescheduled Games)

20 January 2010
Nottingham27 - 21Doncaster Knights (BP)
Meadow Lane Attendance: 808 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts
  • Game rescheduled from 28 December 2009.
20 January 2010
(BP) Rotherham Titans42 - 15Birmingham & Solihull
Clifton Lane Attendance: 812 Referee: Mark Wilson
  • Game rescheduled from 28 December 2009.

Round 18

23 January 2010
Coventry16 - 27Bristol (BP)
Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,240 Referee: Darren Gamage
23 January 2010
(BP) Doncaster Knights10 - 17London Welsh
Castle Park Attendance: 1,250 Referee: Dean Richards
23 January 2010
(BP) Exeter Chiefs45 - 19Bedford Blues
Sandy Park Attendance: 3,781 Referee: Chris White
23 January 2010
Moseley25 - 24Birmingham & Solihull (BP)
Billesley Common Attendance: 1,051 Referee: Paul Knowles
24 January 2010
(BP) Cornish Pirates29 - 24Rotherham Titans (2BP)
Recreation Ground Attendance: 2,459 Referee: Rob Debney
24 January 2010
Nottingham20 - 19Plymouth Albion (BP)
Meadow Lane Attendance: 1,219 Referee: Terry Hall

Round 19

30 January 2010
Bedford Blues19 - 16Cornish Pirates (BP)
Goldington Road Attendance: 2,817 Referee: Keith Lewis
30 January 2010
Birmingham & SolihullP - PDoncaster Knights
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 17 February 2010.
30 January 2010
(BP) Exeter Chiefs42 - 12Nottingham
Sandy Park Attendance: 4,084 Referee: Mathieu Raynal
30 January 2010
(BP) London Welsh51 - 13Coventry
Old Deer Park Attendance: 1,027 Referee: Andrew Taylorson
30 January 2010
Rotherham Titans7 - 19Moseley
Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,214 Referee: Andrew Small
31 January 2010
(BP) Bristol24 - 14Plymouth Albion
Memorial Stadium Attendance: 5,537 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts

Round 14 (Rescheduled Game)

2 February 2010
Birmingham & Solihull0 - 39Nottingham (BP)
Billesley Common Referee: Luke Pearce
  • Game rescheduled to 19 December 2009.

Round 20

5 February 2010
Coventry24 - 7Birmingham & Solihull
Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,012 Referee: Andrew Small
6 February 2010
(BP) Moseley19 - 26Bedford Blues
Billesley Common Attendance: 759 Referee: Terry Hall
6 February 2010
Plymouth Albion13 - 13London Welsh
Brickfields Attendance: 2,155 Referee: Rob Debney
7 February 2010
Cornish Pirates15 - 30Exeter Chiefs (BP)
Recreation Ground Attendance: 3,661 Referee: Rowan Kitt
7 February 2010
Doncaster Knights27 - 20Rotherham Titans (BP)
Castle Park Attendance: 2,174 Referee: Martin Fox
7 February 2010
(BP) Nottingham16 - 22Bristol
Meadow Lane Attendance: 1,796 Referee: Keith Lewis

Round 16 & 19 (Rescheduled Games)

10 February 2010
Coventry7 - 27Doncaster Knights
Butts Park Arena Attendance: 618 Referee: Andrew Taylorson
  • Game rescheduled from 2 January 2010.
16 February 2010
Rotherham Titans28 - 24Nottingham (2BP)
Clifton Lane Attendance: 521 Referee: Chris Sharp
  • Game rescheduled from 2 January 2010.
17 February 2010
Birmingham & Solihull7 - 33Doncaster Knights (BP)
Billesley Common Attendance: 200 Referee: Michael Tutty
  • Game rescheduled from 30 January 2010.

Round 21

20 February 2010
Bedford Blues12 - 23Doncaster Knights
Goldington Road Attendance: 2,241 Referee: Cedric Marchat
20 February 2010
Birmingham & Solihull21 - 36Plymouth Albion (BP)
Sharmans Cross Attendance: 926
20 February 2010
(BP) Exeter Chiefs36 - 19Moseley
Sandy Park Attendance: 3,525 Referee: Darren Gamage
20 February 2010
London Welsh3 - 28Bristol
Old Deer Park Attendance: 2,150 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts
20 February 2010
(BP) Rotherham Titans41 - 11Coventry
Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,019 Referee: Paul Knowles
21 February 2010
(BP) Cornish Pirates47 - 19Nottingham
Recreation Ground Attendance: 2,321 Referee: Terry Hall

Round 17 (Rescheduled Game)

24 February 2010
(BP) Bristol42 - 7Doncaster Knights
Memorial Stadium Attendance: 4,315 Referee: Rowan Kitt
  • Game rescheduled from 15 January 2010.

Round 22

13 March 2010
Bedford Blues33 - 26Rotherham Titans (2BP)
Goldington Road Attendance: 1,642 Referee: Keith Lewis
13 March 2010
(BP) Cornish Pirates24 - 28London Welsh
Recreation Ground Attendance: 1,560 Referee: Wayne Barnes
13 March 2010
(BP) Doncaster Knights13 - 20Plymouth Albion
Castle Park Attendance: 1,642 Referee: JP Doyle
13 March 2010
(BP) Exeter Chiefs62 - 12Birmingham & Solihull
Sandy Park Attendance: 3,477 Referee: Michael Tutty
13 March 2010
Moseley30 - 25Bristol (2BP)
Billesley Common Attendance: 1,564 Referee: Martin Fox
13 March 2010
(BP) Nottingham37 - 10Coventry
Meadow Lane Attendance: 790 Referee: Andrew Taylorson

Stage 2: Playoffs

Promotion

Winner of Pool A to play Runner-Up of Pool B, and Winner of Pool B to play Runner-Up of Pool A.

Group A:

PosTeamPWDLFABPPTS
1Bristol650118986424
2Bedford6402154125420
3Cornish Pirates620498158210
4Plymouth Albion61055712915

Round 1

19 March 2010
Bristol19 - 12Cornish Pirates (BP)
Memorial Stadium Attendance: 5,892 Referee: Rowan Kitt
20 March 2010
(BP) Plymouth Albion9 - 10Bedford Blues
Brickfields Attendance: 1,384 Referee: David Rose

Round 2

27 March 2010
Bedford Blues17 - 16Bristol (BP)
Goldington Road Attendance: 2,611 Referee: JP Doyle
28 March 2010
Cornish Pirates17 - 0Plymouth Albion
Recreation Ground Attendance: 2,849 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts

Round 3

2 April 2010
Bristol15 - 3Plymouth Albion
Memorial Stadium Attendance: 7,020 Referee: Andrew Taylorson
4 April 2010
Cornish Pirates22 - 18Bedford Blues (BP)
Recreation Ground Attendance: 3,359 Referee: Rowan Kitt

Round 4

10 April 2010
Plymouth Albion7 - 38Bristol (BP)
Brickfields Attendance: 3,275 Referee: Rowan Kitt
10 April 2010
(BP) Bedford Blues42 - 18Cornish Pirates
Goldington Road Attendance: 2,599 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts

Round 5

16 April 2010
Plymouth Albion19 - 14Cornish Pirates (BP)
Brickfields Attendance: 4,141 Referee: David Rose
18 April 2010
(BP) Bristol41 - 32Bedford Blues (BP)
Memorial Stadium Attendance: 6,701 Referee: Rob Debney

Round 6

1 May 2010
(BP) Bedford Blues35 - 19Plymouth Albion
Goldington Road Attendance: 3,302 Referee: Rowan Kitt
1 May 2010
Cornish Pirates15 - 60Bristol (BP)
Recreation Ground Attendance: 3,190 Referee: Michael Tutty

Group B:

PosTeamPWDLFABPPTS
1Exeter640218186420
2London Welsh6402108110218
3Nottingham620498141210
4Doncaster620410815819

Round 1

21 March 2010
Nottingham20 - 9Exeter Chiefs
Meadow Lane Attendance: 1,072 Referee: Rob Debney
20 March 2010
(BP) London Welsh26 - 10Doncaster Knights
Old Deer Park Attendance: 520 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts

Round 2

27 March 2010
Doncaster Knights25 - 15Nottingham
Castle Park Attendance: 1,011 Referee: Chris Sharp
27 March 2010
(BP) Exeter Chiefs32 - 6London Welsh
Sandy Park Attendance: 4,342 Referee: Keith Lewis

Round 3

3 April 2010
(BP) Doncaster Knights19 - 21Exeter Chiefs
Castle Park Attendance: 1,050 Referee: Dean Richards
3 April 2010
London Welsh12 - 29Nottingham (BP)
Old Deer Park Attendance: 960 Referee: Martin Fox

Round 4

10 April 2010
(BP) Exeter Chiefs51 - 15Doncaster Knights
Sandy Park Attendance: 4,181 Referee: David Rose
10 April 2010
(BP) Nottingham10 - 17London Welsh
Meadow Lane Attendance: 1,339 Referee: Sean Davey

Round 5

17 April 2010
London Welsh16 - 15Exeter Chiefs (BP)
Old Deer Park Attendance: 1,100 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts
18 April 2010
Nottingham14 - 25Doncaster Knights
Meadow Lane Attendance: 1,354 Referee: Andrew Taylorson

Round 6

1 May 2010
Doncaster Knights14 - 31London Welsh (BP)
Castle Park Attendance: 1,389 Referee: Rob Debney
1 May 2010
(BP) Exeter Chiefs53 - 10Nottingham
Sandy Park Attendance: 5,344 Referee: Sean Davey

Relegation

Bottom club in Group C relegated to National League 1

Group C:

PosTeamPWDLFABPPTS
1Rotherham6501188116727
2Moseley6204153132715
3Birmingham & Solihull6303158169313*
4Coventry (R)620482164210

Coventry are relegated to National League 1.

Round 1

20 March 2010
Birmingham & Solihull19 - 12Moseley (BP)
Sharmans Cross Attendance: 350 Referee: Dean Richards
20 March 2010
(BP) Rotherham Titans29 - 3Coventry
Clifton Lane Attendance: 872 Referee: Shane Lewis

Round 2

27 March 2010
(BP) Coventry18 - 25Birmingham & Solihull
Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,344 Referee: Rowan Kitt
27 March 2010
(2BP) Moseley29 - 30Rotherham Titans (BP)
Billesley Attendance: 832 Referee: Andrew Taylorson

Round 3

3 April 2010
Coventry6 - 3Moseley (BP)
Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,123 Referee: JP Doyle
3 April 2010
(BP) Rotherham Titans33 - 20Birmingham & Solihull
Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,223 Referee: Michael Tutty

Round 4

11 April 2010
Birmingham & Solihull19 - 29Rotherham Titans (BP)
Sharmans Cross Attendance: 250 Referee: Andrew Taylorson
11 April 2010
MoseleyP - PCoventry
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 24 April 2010.

Round 5

17 April 2010
(2BP) Rotherham Titans29 - 33Moseley (BP)
Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,302 Referee: Rowan Kitt
18 April 2010
(2BP) Birmingham & Solihull35 - 38Coventry (BP)
Sharmans Cross Referee: Greg Garner

Round 4 (Rescheduled Game)

24 April 2010
(BP) Moseley37 - 5Coventry
Billesley Common Attendance: 1,474 Referee: Rob Debney

Round 6

1 May 2010
Coventry12 - 38Rotherham Titans (BP)
Butts Park Arena Attendance: 1,613 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts
1 May 2010
(2BP) Moseley34 - 38Birmingham & Solihull (BP)
Billesley Attendance: 850 Referee: David Rose

Stage 3

Semi-finals

The semifinals were one-off single ties held between the winner of Group A and the runner-up of Group B, and the winner of Group B and the runner-up of Group A. The matches took place at the home ground of the group winners.

7 May 210
Bristol28 – 15London Welsh
Memorial Stadium, Bristol Attendance: 5,717 Referee: David Rose
8 May 210
Exeter Chiefs37 – 8Bedford Blues
Sandy Park, Exeter Attendance: 4,549 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth

Final

The two-legged final took place at the home grounds of the two clubs involved, rather than at Twickenham.

19 May 2010
Exeter Chiefs9 - 6Bristol
Sandy Park, Exeter Attendance: 10,021 Referee: David Pearson
26 May 2010
Bristol10 - 29Exeter Chiefs
Memorial Stadium, Bristol Attendance: 11,550 Referee: Andrew Small

Exeter Chiefs win the Championship and earn promotion to the 2010–11 Premiership.

Total Season Attendances

  • Figures include playoff semi finals and final
ClubHome GamesTotalAverageHighestLowest% Capacity
Bedford Blues1439,3642,8124,0671,64256%
Birmingham & Solihull127,9846651,40720019%
Bristol1694,7525,92211,5504,30549%
Cornish Pirates1442,1573,0115,6541,56033%
Coventry1417,4731,2482,00361829%
Doncaster Knights1420,2431,4462,1741,01147%
Exeter Chiefs1677,6704,85410,0213,47749%
London Welsh1418,6041,3292,24052023%
Moseley1413,6529751,56474933%
Nottingham1416,9781,2131,7967906%
Plymouth Albion1437,4482,6754,4301,38441%
Rotherham Titans1415,8841,1351,61052145%

Individual statistics

  • Player stats include playoff games as well as regular season games. Also note that points scorers includes tries as well as conversions, penalties and drop goals.
RankPlayerTeamAppearancesPoints
Top points scorers Rank Player Team Appearances Points 1 Ireland Gareth Steenson Exeter Chiefs 26 280 2 England Adrian Jarvis Bristol 31 274 3 England Tristan Roberts Moseley 26 267 4 Wales Aled Thomas London Welsh 29 226 5 Canada James Pritchard Bedford Blues 22 209 6 England Rob Cook Cornish Pirates 24 196 7 England Simon Hunt Birmingham & Solihull 21 166 8 England Jonathan West Rotherham Titans 24 159 9 Scotland Greig Tonks Nottingham 25 135 Ireland Keiran Hallett Plymouth Albion 26 135Top try scorers Rank Player Team Appearances Tries 1 Scotland Blair Cowan Cornish Pirates 21 14 South Africa Errie Claassens London Welsh 26 14 England Matthew Jess Exeter Chiefs 28 14 2 England David Norton Bristol 19 13 3 England Lee Robinson Bristol 24 12 England Tim Streather Nottingham 28 12 England Mark Foster Exeter Chiefs 29 12 4 England Simon Hunt Birmingham & Solihull 21 11 England Tom Arscott Bristol 27 11 England James Phillips Bristol 29 11
1Ireland Gareth SteensonExeter Chiefs26280
2England Adrian JarvisBristol31274
3England Tristan RobertsMoseley26267
4Wales Aled ThomasLondon Welsh29226
5Canada James PritchardBedford Blues22209
6England Rob CookCornish Pirates24196
7England Simon HuntBirmingham & Solihull21166
8England Jonathan WestRotherham Titans24159
9Scotland Greig TonksNottingham25135
Ireland Keiran HallettPlymouth Albion26135
RankPlayerTeamAppearancesTries
1Scotland Blair CowanCornish Pirates2114
South Africa Errie ClaassensLondon Welsh2614
England Matthew JessExeter Chiefs2814
2England David NortonBristol1913
3England Lee RobinsonBristol2412
England Tim StreatherNottingham2812
England Mark FosterExeter Chiefs2912
4England Simon HuntBirmingham & Solihull2111
England Tom ArscottBristol2711
England James PhillipsBristol2911

Season records

Team Largest home win — 52 pts 62 - 10 Cornish Pirates at home to Birmingham & Solihull on 25 October 2009 Largest away win — 45 pts 60 - 15 Bristol away to Cornish Pirates on 1 May 2010 Most points scored — 62 pts (x2) 62 - 10 Cornish Pirates at home to Birmingham & Solihull on 25 October 2009 62 - 12 Exeter Chiefs at home to Birmingham & Solihull on 13 March 2010 Most tries in a match — 10 Bristol away to Cornish Pirates on 1 May 2010 Most conversions in a match — 7 Cornish Pirates at home to Birmingham & Solihull on 25 October 2009 Most penalties in a match — 6 (x4) Exeter Chiefs at home to Doncaster Knights on 12 September 2009 Rotherham Titans at home to Cornish Pirates on 31 October 2009 Moseley at home to Bristol on 13 March 2010 Exeter Chiefs away to Bristol on 26 May 2010 Most drop goals in a match — 2 (x3) Doncaster Knights at home to Bristol on 24 October 2009 Rotherham Titans at home to Cornish Pirates on 31 October 2009 Exeter Chiefs away to Bristol on 26 May 2010Player Most points in a match — 24 (x2) Canada James Pritchard for Bedford Blues at home to Nottingham on 16 January 2010 Ireland Gareth Steenson for Exeter Chiefs away to Bristol on 26 May 2010 Most tries in a match — 4 (x2) England Ian Davey for Bedford Blues at home to Birmingham & Solihull on 10 October 2009 Scotland Callum MacBurnie for Moseley at home to Birmingham & Solihull on 1 May 2010 Most conversions in a match — 7 England James Moore for Cornish Pirates at home to Birmingham & Solihull on 25 October 2009 Most penalties in a match — 6 (x4) Ireland Gareth Steenson for Exeter Chiefs at home to Doncaster Knights on 12 September 2009 England Jonathan West for Rotherham Titans at home to Cornish Pirates on 31 October 2009 England Tristan Roberts for Moseley at home to Bristol on 13 March 2010 Ireland Gareth Steenson for Exeter Chiefs away to Bristol on 26 May 2010 Most drop goals in a match — 2 Ireland Gareth Steenson for Exeter Chiefs away to Bristol on 26 May 2010 Attendances Highest — 11,550 Bristol at home to Exeter Chiefs on 26 May 2010 Lowest — 200 Birmingham & Solihull at home to Doncaster Knights on 17 February 2010 Highest Average Attendance — 5,922 Bristol Lowest Average Attendance — 665 Birmingham & Solihull