Ealing Trailfinders will begin their bid to wrestle the Champ title back from Worcester Warriors with fresh competition throughout their squad and the painful knowledge that league dominance guarantees nothing when the knockout matches arrive.
Ben Ward’s side won all 26 regular-season games last term before Worcester overturned them 34-29 in the semi-final in a brutal ending to an outstanding campaign.
Worcester subsequently beat Bedford 27-14 at Goldington Road in the final to complete a remarkable first season back.
The champions now provide the target for an Ealing squad strengthened by recruits from the Prem, URC and elsewhere in the Champ.
Statement signing
Trailfinders have picked up a statement half-back swoop of Saracens by recruiting both fly-half Louie Johnson, 23, and experienced scrum-half Gareth Simpson.
Director of rugby Ben Ward, above, said: “Gareth is a player that we’ve looked at for a number of years.
“We like Gareth a lot. He’s left-footed and a lot of our tens are right-footed so Gareth offers a different combination.
“He plays a good tempo and kicking game.
“We wanted our half-backs to be strong positions for us this season and we definitely think at nine, Gareth really adds to that group.
“Louie fits the profile of the player we’re looking for. We feel that he’s a fly-half on the up.
“He has good attributes at ten with a strong rugby brain with great kicking and passing ability.
“He’s a prospect we’re really excited about and think will thrive at Ealing Trailfinders.
“We’re an attacking team and need our fly-half to be able to play on the front foot and I think Louie is someone who can do that very well.”
Competition
James Humphreys also arrives from Ulster to increase competition at No.10, and how Ward balances those combinations will be an intriguing element of Ealing’s challenge.
The recruitment has also reinforced a pack already capable of overpowering opponents.
Former Scarlets flanker Jarrod Taylor joins a back row group with considerable depth that includes new recruit Fyn Brown from Northampton Saints.
His former Saints teammate, lock Emeka Atuanya, has also arrived.
Ward added: “Emeka has been unlucky with injuries over the last few years but he has shown promise when he’s been fit.
“A fresh environment with change will hopefully bring out his potential.
“We want to get Emeka into a consistent routine. He’s a versatile player who can play both four and five and is a good lineout option.
“Fyn has played against us in the Champ for Bedford. We felt that when he played for Bedford, he made the side a better team.
“He has a big work rate which is one of his strongest attributes as well as his collision work.
“He also adds an extra lineout option for us. I’m excited to have both players in our environment.”
Champions: Worcester Warriors celebrate with the trophy after beating Bedford in the final
PICTURES: Alamy
Test
Ealing’s opening trip to Chinnor should provide a useful examination of how quickly the new arrivals have settled.
Worcester face an immediate test of their own, hosting Bedford in a repeat of the final.
Matt Everard’s men finished fourth before beating Chinnor, Ealing and Blues in successive knockout games, demonstrating both their resilience and ability to peak at the right moment.
Greater consistency would strengthen their defence of the title.
A 64-28 defeat at Coventry in their final regular-season match was followed by three victories that transformed the campaign.
Matt Kvesic, below, who captained the side during the final, has now been appointed club skipper.
“Matt epitomises Worcester as a club and deeply cares for the people, city and fans,” Everard said.
Unfinished business
Bedford have unfinished business after their final disappointment, with Mike Rayer’s side having finished second before dismantling Coventry 58-24 in the semi-final.
Their extended partnership with Northampton retains an important source of playing and coaching support.
Reece Marshall takes on a broader coaching role, with his defensive contribution particularly relevant as Blues seek the balance needed to win decisive matches.
Goldington Road should again be central to their challenge, but the opening assignment at Sixways offers an early opportunity to test themselves against the team who denied them the trophy.
Coventry also have grounds to consider themselves serious contenders.
Alex Rae has retained a strong core, including Jordon Poole, Morgan Strong and Senitiki Nayalo, while adding players capable of increasing competition across the squad.
Joe Margetts and Matt McNab strengthen the backs, with Jono Benz-Salomon joining brother Aristot in the front row.
Third place last season demonstrated their quality; closing the gap between their strongest performances and their semi-final display is the next challenge.
Ambitions
The battle for home advantage should be significant.
Bedford’s semi-final win and Worcester’s success on the road illustrated different routes through the knockouts, but few contenders will surrender a home tie.
Chinnor finished fifth and should have ambitions beyond simply repeating their qualification for the knockouts.
Nick Easter’s continued presence provides stability after two seasons of progress at this level, while their competitive play-off defeat at Worcester showed they could trouble the eventual champions.
Their recruitment has added further depth.
Prop James Johnston, lock Harry Gilson-Fox and back rower Josh du Toit strengthen the pack, while fly-half Liam Richman, centre George Wacokecoke, fullback Ben Currie and former Ealing playmaker Richie Simpson give Easter more variety behind the scrum.
Chinnor’s ability to turn close games into wins will decide whether they can stay in the top-six conversation.
Model
Hartpury, sixth last term, will aim to consolidate their place among the leading sides under Mark Cornwell.
Developing players while maintaining results remains a demanding balancing act, with their opening visit to Caldy offering a test before the campaign gathers pace.
The university side have retained important experience while continuing to add young players.
Lock Steele Barker, hooker Will Crane, back-rower Harry Taylor and centre Robbie Smith offer a solid senior spine, with Harrison James arriving from Cardiff Met and Ollie Smith another addition.
Hartpury’s academy pathway remains central to their model, but they will need enough front-line availability to handle the heavier demands of a full Championship season.
Cornish Pirates are well placed to generate interest beyond last season’s seventh-place finish following investment from principals of Pittsburgh-based Stonewood Capital Management and TV presenter Nick Nowles, who is now a shareholder.
Their plans include an academy and expanded commercial partnerships.
The Pirates have also refreshed their front five with Jack Forsythe, Jamie Clark and Alessandro Heaney, while former Bristol lock Steele Barker returns to Cornwall.
Australia-based winger Henry Palmer and sevens flyer Josh Radcliffe add pace out wide, with Exeter centre Harry Ascherl another option in the backs.
The immediate rugby target is more straightforward: breaking into the top six.
Greater security provides a platform, although translating longer-term ambition into weekly results will remain the measure of progress.
Experience
Doncaster’s appointment of Dean Richards, above, as director of rugby brings considerable experience to Castle Park after an eighth-place finish.
Richards will oversee the club’s rugby direction and squad-building rather than serve as the day-to-day head coach, with the Knights seeking a team capable of sustaining a play-off challenge.
Prop pair Callum and Connor Hancock, Samoan tight-head Paul Masoe, hooker Nathan Langdon and back-rowers Louie Kirkham and Aidan King have all arrived, while centres Tololima Savaiinaea and Penaia Tagutu add power behind the scrum.
Nottingham launch the competition at home to Blackheath on Friday, with Craig Hammond’s side seeking improvement on ninth.
An opening home victory would give them a platform before travelling to Ampthill.
The Green and Whites have recruited with greater balance. Back-rower Morgan Adderly-Jones returns to the East Midlands, while locks Oran Murphy and Kody Vereti, hooker Harry Clarke and prop Oli Crane add competition among the forwards.
Nottingham have also brought in centre Cieran Barry and winger Matty Ward, giving Hammond more attacking options after a difficult campaign.
Familiar opposition
Ampthill finished 10th and begin against Richmond, an early opportunity for both clubs to gain ground against familiar opposition.
Their ability to turn player development into consistent results will determine whether they can climb.
The Bedfordshire club have kept a core including back-rower Justin Mataele, hooker Harrison Dakin and half-back Tobias Trafford.
New arrivals Tom Gulley, Theo Mannion and Michael Chettoa have provided optimism for the Mob.
Caldy, 11th-place finishers, will look to make Paton Field a difficult destination again, while continuing to punch above their weight with a low budget.
Richmond have retained a core under Rob Powell as they seek greater breathing space after securing their survival.
The Merseysiders’ wider senior group has been supplemented by forwards Harry Harding, Oliver Barker and Cam de Beer, with backs Harry Oliver, Seb Krippner and Ben Parkin also arriving.
Sale prospect Nye Thomas has featured in loan coverage.
Step up
Richmond, meanwhile, narrowly escaped relegation last term and have added Exeter lock Charlie Bell, prop Eric Nixon, hooker Hugo Culverhouse and fly-half James Beverley to a retained group led by Theo Bevacqua and Xavier Hastings.
Promoted Rotherham Titans bring director of rugby Harvey Biljon’s experience back to the division, given the South African led the now defunct Jersey Reds to the title in 2023.
They begin against Coventry at Clifton Lane.
The Titans have recruited for the step up, adding prop Zac Nearchou, lock Louis Guthrie, hooker Louis Inman and back rower Lekima Ravuvu up front.
Behind them, former Doncaster half-back Russell Bennett, centre Ali Mgijima and wing Ben Cambriani provide Championship experience, while playmaker Brent Jackson is another late addition.
Blackheath arrive after beating London Scottish in the accession play-off, joining National One champions Titans as replacements for Scottish and Cambridge.
Their first home league fixture against Caldy follows the Nottingham trip, before tough meetings with Doncaster, Coventry and Ealing.
The Londoners possess free scoring hooker Billy Harding, who scored a record 48 tries in National One last year.
And they have been busy since promotion.
Lock Ehize Ehizode, hooker Ben Chapman, back-rower Nick Cook and prop Seb Brownhill add physicality, while backs Tom Kendrick, Iwan Price-Thomas, centre Kegan Christian-Goss and scrum-half Mikel Davies increase competition.
Champ 2026-27 teams
Ampthill
Forwards: Barney Merrett, Carn Richards-Farr, Edward Timpson, George Nugent, Harrison Courtney, Harrison Dakin, Harry Silman, Jamie Fallon, Jevaughn Warren, Justin Mataele, Ollie Mullarkey, Richard Barrington, Seb Smith, Valentino Mapapalangi, Tom Gulley, Michael Chettoa
Backs: Efan Jones, Elliot Gourlay, Jack Kinder, Jimmy Thompson, Jody Devine, Joe Heslop, Oscar Bennett, Raff Weston, Tobias Trafford, Toby Baker, Theo Mannion
Bedford Blues
Forwards: Alex Woolford, Dan Eckersley, Fred Tuilagi, Ilan Evans, James Fish, Jamie Jack, Joey Conway, Kayde Sylvester, Monty Royston, Nicholas Finch, Oisin Heffernan, Rory Ward, Tommy Herman, Tui Uru, Will Davies-King, Archie Benson, Charlie Ulcoq
Backs: Alex Day, Ben Dufficy, Dean Adamson, George Worth, James Lennon, Louis James, Lucas Titherington, Marcus Kershaw, Michael Le Bourgeois, Ryan Hutler, Will Maisey
Blackheath
Forwards: Alex Witchell, Andrew Boye, Archie Bourne, Archie Holland, Archie Smeaton, Ben Chapman, Ben Charnock, Billy Harding, Ed Scragg, Ehize Ehizode, Finley O’Sullivan, Harry Taylor, James Cornish, Josh Smart, Kieran Curran, Nick Cook, Noah Sloot, Rory Marsh, Seb Brownhill, Timur Geçer, Tom Everard, Tom Johnson, William Jameson
Backs: Andrew Denham, Iwan Price-Thomas, Jake Hennessey, Joel Grayson, Jordan Burns, Kegan Christian-Goss, Kyle McGhie, Luke Pollock, Max Blinkhorn, Mikel Davies, Noah Ferdinand, Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas, Raff Hollister, Ronnie du Randt, Sam Morley, Ed Dunford, Taitusi Qaniuci, Tom Emery, Tom Ffitch, Tom Hughes, Tom Kendrick, Wilson Ijeh
Caldy
Forwards: Adam McNamee, Callum Ridgway, Dan Owen, Ewan Dale, Finn Collins, Harry Evans, Harry Lightfoot, Isaac Hardisty, Jaco Oosthuyzen, JJ Dickinson, Jack Wilson, Joe Sproston, Jordan Jones, Martin Gerrard, Matt Gallagher, Matt Mountney, Matthew Rabbette, Monty Weatherby, Nathan Rushton, Ollie Hearn, Orson O’Rorke, Paul Lewis, Ryan Higginson, Toby Bywater, Tom Molloy, Tomas Williams, Tomas Shanahan, Tristan Woodman
Backs: Ben Leek, Cameron Brown, Charlie Hyde, Connor Wilkinson, Dan Rabbette, Dylan Carroll, Eddie Banks, Elliot Cotton, Felix Clarke, Finn McGrath, Harri Williams, Jacob Mitchell, James Manuel, James Pickering, Lucas Wiggins, Matt Kilcourse, Max Jones, Ollie Wynn, Rhys Tudor, Rob Waring, Toby Elkerton, Tom Marray, Will Robinson
Chinnor
Forwards: Sam Boyne, Conor-Terrah Brockschmidt, Jamie Campbell, Will Cave, Daniel Cooke, Cameron Doak, Harry Dugmore, Sam Gilbert, Scott Hall, Rob Hardwick, Joe Harman, William Jeffries, Karl Main, Chris Moore, Kai Owen, Lawson Porter, Alex Pybus, Cameron Rafferty, Ramaz Rukhadze, Isaac Ridge, George Stokes, Luke Thompson, Alun Walker, Isaiah Wharton
Backs: James Bourton, Joe Brock, Luke Carter, Nathan Chamberlain, Harry Charman, Ryan Crowley, Kieran Goss, Sam Hanks, Grant Hughes, Jack Johnson, Freddie Owsley, Callum Pascoe, Morgan Passman, Nick Smith, Tom Watson, Oscar Yandall
Cornish Pirates
Forwards: Tomiwa Agbongbon, Steele Barker, Hugh Bokenham, Matt Cannon, Jamie Clark, Barnaby Elderkin, Alex Everett, Jack Forsythe, Milo Hallam, Alessandro Heaney, Josh King, Morgan Nelson, Alfie Petch, Matt Pritchard, Luke Ratcliff, Billy Young
Backs: Will Becconsall, Joe Elderkin, Dan Hiscocks, Angus Mawson, Arthur Relton, Chester Ribbons, Arwel Robson, Harry Ascherl, Henry Palmer, Josh Radcliffe, Finn Love
Coventry
Forwards: Suetena Asomua, Tom Ball, Aristot Benz-Salomon, Jono Benz-Salomon, Murray Davidson, Rhys Fulford, Mackenzie Graham, Dan Green, Ethan Hunt, Matt Johnson, Keston Lines, Senitiki Nayalo, Onisivoro Sukani Nayagi, Tumy Onasanya, Jordon Poole, Marcus Rhodes, Jack Shine, Morgan Strong, Rhys Tait, Will Dorrell, Sam Harding, Cornelius Nartey
Backs: Tom Bacon, Josh Barton, Api Bavadra, Alex Garrett, Bruce Houston, Joe Margetts, Tommy Mathews, Sam Maunder, Matt McNab, Tom Miles, Jack Reeves, Peter Sullivan, Josh Thomas, Dafydd-Rhys Tiueti, Taio Varndell, Sam Gibson, Charlie Stallard, Elefio Vulimai-Igiladi
Doncaster Knights
Forwards: Jake Ellwood, Ben Glanville, Callum Hancock, Connor Hancock, Aidan King, Louie Kirkham, Nathan Langdon, Paul Masoe, Jasper McGuire, Bailey Ransom, Ben Sugars, Corey Tait, Angus Williams, Max Allen-Paver
Backs: Alex Dolly, Ollie Fox, Kieran Wilkinson, Morgan Bunting, Tom Curtis, Harry Yates, Penaia Tagutu, Tololima Savaiinaea, Zach Kerr, Aidan Cross, Jordan Olowofela, Ryan Olowofela, Sam Kildunne, Semesa Rokoduguni, Telusa Veainu
Ealing Trailfinders
Forwards: Adam Nicol, Biyi Alo, Bobby de Wee, Cameron Terry, Conor Oliver, Darren Low, David Douglas Bridge, Elliot Chilvers, Emeka Atuanya, Freddie Stevenson, Fyn Brown, Gabriel Mann, Geordie Irvine, George Davis, George Shaw, Harry Thompson, Jack Kelleher, Jamie Carr, Jarrod Taylor, Jordy Reid, Kabous Bezuidenhout, Kyle Hatherell, Kyle Whyte, Loïc Keasey, Louis Finch, Matas Jurevicius, Matt Cornish, Mike Willemse, Mikey Summerfield, PJ Sheck, Sam Grahamslaw, Scott Buckley, Sean Lonsdale, Will Montgomery
Backs: Angus Kernohan, Craig Hampson, Dan Jones, Fionn Gibbons, Francis Moore, Gareth Simpson, Hayden Hyde, Jake Morris, James Humphreys, Louie Johnson, Max Nagy, Michael Dykes, Michael Stronge, Oscar Stott, Patrick Campbell, Reuben Bird-Tulloch, Rory Scannell, Toby Cousins, Tom Florence, Will Feeney, Will Parry
Hartpury University
Forwards: Alex Gibson, Archie McArthur, George Alexander, George Perry, Harrison Bellamy, Harry Edwards, Jono Benz-Salomon, Louie Trevett, Ollie Minnis, Rhys Davies, Tom Hill, Casey Williams, Ethan Hunt, George Knowles, Will Crane, Dale Lemon, Dan Owen, Freddie Ogden-Metherell, Peter Paramore, Steele Barker, Cameron Cobbett, Cameron Murray, Ellis Hart, Freddie Stevens, Harry Short, Harry Taylor, Jack Davies, Jarrard Hayler, Jay Evans, Josh Gray, Tom Worts
Backs: Cai Gealy, Rhys Price, Rio Ebanks, Sam Allford, Harry Bazalgette, Charlie Powell, Haydn Lewis, Isaac Marsh, Max Knight, Ollie Allsopp, Ollie Holliday, Robbie Smith, Victor Worsnip, Will Knight, Alex Morgan, Bradley Denty, George Dufty, Jack Cotgreave, Jake Morris, Josh Field, Keir Clark, Alex Forrester, Josh Carrington
Nottingham
Forwards: Lawrence Adediran, Arthur Allen, Harry Clarke, Oli Crane, Jay Ecclesfield, Michael Green, Sam Green, Tommy Hamilton, Simon Koroiyadi, Oran Murphy, Will Ramply, Iestyn Rees, Dan Richardson, Mink Scharink, Aniseko Sio, Kody Vereti, Jacob Wright
Backs: Cieran Barry, Charlie Davies, Matt Durbridge, Matthew Gould, Harry Graham, Morgan Adderly-Jones, Evan Mitchell, Shane O’Leary, Luke Rokomoce, Levi Roper, Harry Simpson, Matty Ward, Charlie West, David Williams, Will Yarnell
Richmond
Forwards: Theo Bevacqua, Jared Cardew, Luke Frost, Christian Freeman, Teddy Gibson, Will Goffey, Xavier Hastings, Harry Hocking, Fred Hosking, David Massey, Jake Monson, JJ O’Dea, Will Roddy, Luke Spring, Aron Suggate, Barnaby Vaughan, Miles Wakeling, Henry Wills, Archie Winchurch-Beale
Backs: Josh Addams, Jason Baggott, Archie Brosch, Alex Burrage, Paddy Case, Freddie Charles, Sam Dardis, Lewis Dennett, Callum Grieve, Gabriel Jordan, Greg Kitson, James Langston, Matt Marsh, Werner Nel, Chidera Obonna, Alex O’Meara, Ellis Rudder, Alex Schwarz
Rotherham Titans
Forwards: Tom Bairstow, Jack Baldry, Callum Bustin, Alastair Donkor, Andrew Foster, Frankie Gascoigne, Travis Gordon, Fraser Hastie, Curran Maguire, John Okafor, Ellis Thomas, Zach Toerien, Morgan Veness, Jack Baldry, Fraser Hastie, John Okafor, Harry Gilson-Fox
Backs: Jackson Barling, Jean-Baptiste Bruzulier, Lloyd Hayes, Peter Hudson-Kowalewicz, Mitchell Lacey-Babalola, Will Metcalfe, James Norman, Corben Ollivent, Kieran O’Meara, Isaac Shaw, Will Wood, Joe Adams
Worcester Warriors
Forwards: Ashley Challenger, Austin Wallis, Cam Miell, Fraser Balmain, Hallam Chapman, Jack Dickinson, James Cherry, Joe Jones, John Hawkins, Kofi Cripps, Monty Oliver, Owain Evans, Tim Anstee, Tom Savage, Finn Haynes, Will Owen, Archie Vanes, Billy Keast, Côme Joussain, James Tyas, Livai Natave, Matt Kvesic, Will Biggs
Backs: Alfie Garside, Billy Twelvetrees, Charlie Chapman, Jack Hopson, Jake Garside, Lochie Glackin, Louis Brown, Noah Cowan, Roma Zheng, Rory Taylor, Siva Naulago, Tiff Eden, Tom Seabrook, Will Lane, Will Reed, Will Trewin, Zach Armstrong, Josh Bassett, Juan González
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