The season kicked off at The Mennaye on Friday evening, where Cornish Pirates secured a 21-14 win against a Richmond side led by newly-appointed club captain, Mark Bright. While the visitors will take solace from a losing bonus point, the Pirates were limited to three tries in this hard-fought clash against a much-improved Richmond side. Friday’s other fixture saw Coventry register an impressive 26-18 victory against Bedford Blues, with captain Jordon Poole crossing twice en route to a bonus-point win at Butts Park Arena.

The action continued on Saturday with four 15:00 kick-offs. Jersey Reds took a bonus-point 21-36 win from their trip to Ampthill, with left wing Ben Woollett bagging a brace of tries, and fly half Russell Bennett slotting four points from the tee against his old club. Nottingham kick-started their campaign with a 10-31 win at London Scottish, running in four tries, with Sam Hollingsworth hitting 100% of his conversions and a penalty to boot. Caldy clinched a try bonus point in a 22-33 defeat to Hartpury, including a score from former England Sevens flyer, Dan Bibby. But it was the visitors who took maximum points from this encounter, with livewire scrum half JB Bruzulier running in two of his side’s five tries. Ealing Trailfinders kicked off their title defence with a valuable win against last season’s runners-up, Doncaster Knights. After a cagey first 40, which saw just one point separate the two teams, Ben Ward’s side pulled away in the second half, securing a late try bonus point with an 80th-minute score from debutant Carlo Tizzano.

The Championship continues next weekend with another full complement of fixtures, kicking off with Hartpury vs Doncaster Knights at 14:30 on Saturday, and closing with Nottingham vs Cornish Pirates at 15:00 on Sunday.