Congratulations to our 8 Championship Rugby Team of the Season nominees!
The Championship Clubs have recently been issued with a deadline by the RFU to accept certain terms or effectively be removed from the current professional game structure.
After nearly two years of discussion, which have been characterised by the RFU agreeing positions, sometimes unilaterally or in separate negotiations on the Professional Game Partnership (PGP) – from which we have been excluded – we have now been presented with a proposition which we cannot accept as to do so would risk potential bankruptcy for Championship clubs and would also further isolate the Premiership to the detriment of the game in England.
Like anyone who wants to see the game grow, we need to challenge the current RFU position.
To be clear, we have always aspired towards a new Tier 2 league as part of a whole-game solution, but this can only work if there is appropriate governance, a credible and equitable approach to promotion and relegation, and a funding model which will support growth and sustainability.
At present, we are far from that…..
Please take the time to read the full statement here
Now that the Championship season has run its course, The Rugby Paper canvassed the views of its reporters to compile The Rugby Paper’s 2023-24 Team of the Season
In arguably the most competitive Championship in recent years, Ealing Trailfinders formidable forward pack dominated this year’s Dream Team.
English rugby union will unite with the Rugby Football League and pay tribute to Rob Burrow with a round of applause in the seventh minute of Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership final.
Premiership Rugby confirmed the tribute, which will take place during the sold-out Twickenham encounter between Northampton and Bath.
Burrow’s rugby league legacy will be the focal point of Saturday’s Challenge Cup final day at Wembley – the men’s showpiece kicks off at the same time as the Premiership final – with a series of tributes lined up in his honour.
The Leeds Rhinos great, who won the Challenge Cup twice during a glittering playing career, died at the age of 41 on Sunday, after a four-and-a-half year battle with Motor Neurone Disease.
As he said: ‘In a world full of adversity we must still dare to dream’.
We send our condolences to Rob’s family and friends.
Read more about Rob’s life and legacy here
We have a number of athletes and staff looking for a room or property to rent in the local area ahead of the 24/25 season.
If you have a room or property for let, please email recruitment@etprm.com with the relevant information.
Ealing Trailfinders are delighted to announce the signing of centre Tyler Bocks from the URC’s Emirates Lions ahead of the 2024/25 season.
23 years of age, Bocks made his Currie Cup Premier Division debut for the Golden Lions against Western Province in 2022.
Named in the 2023/24 Lions URC squad, he is known for his defensive stability whilst being dangerous in attack.
On arrival in West London, Bocks said: “I’m very excited to be joining Ealing Trailfinders and to play in England. The quality of rugby is high and it’s the perfect environment for me to keep on improving my game at a competitive level. I look forward to meeting all of you and helping the club reach continued success and win trophies”
Click here to read the full article.
Ealing Trailfinders are delighted to announce the signing of prop James Kenny from Exeter Chiefs ahead of the 2024/25 season.
The 25-year-old joins the club on a permanent deal having been on loan for a brief spell, making one appearance off the bench on the final day of the 23/24 season.
The ex-Chief came through the Exeter academy before spending time on dual registration at National League 1 club Plymouth Albion, featuring for Exeter Braves during that stint in the Premiership Rugby Shield. He also represented England Under-20s in his youth.
Speaking on the move, Kenny said: “I’ve been made to feel really welcome by all the players and staff over my loan period in West London. I’m really excited to be joining such and ambitious side and hope I can bring a lot to Ealing Trailfinders next year.”
Click here to read the full article.
England Rugby can today confirm the 32 Red Roses players under contract for the 2024/25 season.
Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs), who earned five international caps in the 2024 Guinness Women’s Six Nations, has been awarded her maiden full-time England contract, as has two-time capped prop Liz Crake (Trailfinders Women).
Twenty nine of the 32 featured in the Red Roses’ successful Grand Slam-winning Six Nations triumph.
Centrally Contracted Trailfinders
Liz Crake
Abby Dow
Read the full article HERE
Trailfinders Women completed their PWR campaign in fantastic fashion with a scintillating 54-27 victory over Harlequins at the Stoop.
The bonus point win means that Trailfinders leapfrog above Harlequins into sixth to cap off a brilliant first season as an elite outfit.
It was an electric start from Trailfinders Women as Abby Dow ripped the ball free in midfield two minutes in and raced away to score under the posts completely untouched. Green converted.
One try became two just minutes after following a brave charge down by Megan Barwick, with the ball colliding off her face and falling kindly for Liz Crake, who used her boot to nudge it over the line and collapsed on top of it.
The departing Elisa Riffoneau demonstrated just how much of a miss she will be next season 10 minutes into the second half, after some dazzling hands from Trailfinders and an incredible long pass from Tyson Beukeboom fed in Rosie Inman down the right, who popped it inside to Riffoneau off a big breakaway to finish off. Green converted.
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 to Abby Dow who was our Arnold Hill Player of the Match
Click Here to read the full match report & watch the match highlights and post match reactions.
Elisa Riffonneau will leave the Trailfinders Women after our final game of the season. 🥹
Thank you for everything!
