RFU Championship

Two weeks ago, in the penultimate game of the 2013/14 Aviva Premiership season, the news everyone in Worcester didn’t want to believe, was finally confirmed, as the Warriors were relegated from the top-flight of English rugby to the Championship.

Nottingham Rugby are pleased to announce the signing of Conor Carey from Ealing Trailfinders ahead of the 2014/15 season.

Next Sunday's Championship semi-final 2nd Leg could be London Welsh's last 80 minutes of the season, unless the Exiles can overturn a seven-point deficit against Leeds Carnegie. Motivation therefore won't be a problem.

Alex Davies is more than happy to reprise his full back role as London Welsh travel to Headingley on Sunday to take on Leeds Carnegie in their Championship semi-final 1st leg (kick-off 1pm).

Star Worcester Warriors full-back Chris Pennell, despite the rumours over the last few weeks, insists that he is a “contracted Worcester player” and his future is at Sixways, even with talk of England opportunities and Premiership loans.

Championship rugby fans are looking forward to the league’s most important round of fixtures this weekend as play-off rugby fever takes over.

London Welsh will not be thinking about aggregate when they take on Leeds Carnegie in the 1st leg of their Greene King IPA Championship semi-final at Headingley Carnegie on Sunday (kick-off 1pm).

Supporters of the Cornish Pirates will be delighted to hear that the club's longest serving present player, popular prop forward Alan Paver, has signed a two-year contract as a Player/Coach.

Plymouth Albion head coach James Shanahan continued building his squad for next season by signing three more new players.

Nick Scott is hoping that his hat-trick against Nottingham will prove to be a good omen for London Welsh, as the club prepares for the Championship play-offs.

Jersey will lock horns with Aviva Premiership side Bath in August as part of the clubs' preparations for next season.

Bedford Blues have continued to add to their squad for the 2014/15 Greene King IPA Championship season by signing two new players as well as extending the stay of a front row favourite.

Scottish forward Ross Rennie is to leave Edinburgh to sign a permanent deal with Bristol.

Rotherham Titans are delighted to announce that Max Argyle has penned a deal to keep him at Clifton Lane for the 2014/15 Greene King IPA Championship season.

London Welsh is pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Stevens as the Club's new Chief Executive Officer.

With the Championship play-offs just around the corner, Gordon Ross made a timely return to action for London Welsh on Saturday to inspire the Exiles to a comprehensive victory over Nottingham.

Nottingham Rugby is pleased to announce that Joe Munro has signed a new deal with the club ahead of the 2014/15 season.

For any young player, to be the top try scorer for your club and then one of the league’s you play in is a tremendous feat, but to do that all from the front row of the scrum, at hooker, Sedgley Park’s Jonny Matthews has accomplished an incredible feat.

It was tense, dramatic, and everything you might expect from a game with so much at stake. But Nottingham finally clinched the points that guarantee Championship rugby next season by beating Moseley 29-24 at Meadow Lane.

London Welsh will store away the feeling of their Memorial Stadium defeat to Bristol, should the Exiles have to return there before season is out.