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The Greene King IPA Championship inches along into Week 16 with only one race of note to take it down the home stretch. The demise of London Welsh means that there will be no relegation this season, so it’s only promotion to the Aviva Premiership that is at stake, and at the moment it looks very much like only one horse is in it. London Irish continue to sit pretty with an undefeated record, 11 points up on second-place Yorkshire Carnegie. Only a major upset in the playoffs will keep Irish from making their immediate return to the top flight.
Aaron Carpenter made his first start for Doncaster Knights on Friday evening, a week after making his debut against Ealing Trailfinders. The Canadian no8 followed up his try-scoring efforts of a week ago with several powerful carries in another good outing as the Knights handled Nottingham 29-7 at Lady Bay.
Saturday has three matches of interest for Americas fans. Brett Beukeboom and Nicolas de Battista continue in their usual starting positions for Cornish Pirates as they travel to Yorkshire. The Pirates are only two points out of a playoff spot but haven’t really looked like contenders this season.
Richmond no longer have to worry about returning to the National Divisions now that Welsh have been given the boot, but they still have pride to play for. With three wins under their belt they are now six points shy of underachievers Rotherham Titans. Ronnie McLean starts in the midfield against Trailfinders on Saturday while former Canada u20 hooker Richard Townsend gets another chance among the reserves.
Bedford Blues will travel to Clifton Lane to face the Titans with Justin Blanchet named on the bench. The Blues have struggled with injuries and form all season and are currently in 9th spot, just one point up from Rotherham.
