Greene King IPA Championship fixtures unveiled for 2016/17 season

The fixtures of the Greene King IPA Championship were announced on Friday and it will comprise of 22 Rounds of games followed by the play-offs and the two-legged final.

The first round will be played on 2nd, 3rd and 4th September with Rotherham Titans and London Welsh locking horns with each other in the opening game.

London Irish, who faced the relegation from the Aviva Premiership in the previous season will begin their campaign against the finalist of the previous season Doncaster Knights.

Richmond, who returned to the RFU Championship after finishing first in the National League 1 will begin with a home fixture against Jersey Reds.

Chairman of the Championship Clubs Geoff Irvine is hoping for an even better 2016/17 season following the success of previous season which was closely competed.

"Last season gave us another exciting finale to the Greene King IPA Championship and we're eager to see what 2016/17 holds.

"Since the league started back in 2009 we've seen some quality rugby year on year and we expect this season to be no exception.

"There is no doubting now the value of the Championship and the part it plays in developing young English Qualified Players.”

Fixtures for the knock-out stage of the tournament

Play off semi-final Leg 1 April 28 – May 1 (tbc)
Play off semi-final Leg 2 May 5-7 (tbc).
Greene King IPA Championship Final Leg 1 w/c May 13
Greene King IPA Championship Final Leg 2 w/c May 20