The action kicks off with a blockbuster clash between Cornish Pirates and Ealing Trailfinders at The Mennaye. Should the Pirates take a bonus-point win, keep Ealing pointless, and then win their subsequent match against Hartpury in Round 18, just two points would separate these two heading into final stages of the league. The Trailfinders posted thumping 40-12 and 50-12 wins in their last two league meetings with the Pirates, but there's no question that - given recent form - the Pirates will see Friday's clash as a launchpad for a tilt at the 2023/24 Championship title. 

London Scottish versus Hartpury is all but guaranteed to be a tight affair: look no further than two of their 2023 meetings which ended in 1 and 2 point winning margins, both in favour of the Westcountry outfit. Hartpury sit five places above the Exiles in the table, having enjoyed a hot run of form in recent weeks, but suffered a bruising defeat to Coventry in Round 16. Scottish, having lost several games by two points or less, will see this as an opportunity to bank their second win of the campaign and climb off the foot of the table. 

Nottingham and Bedford Blues meet at Lady Bay with both sides coming into this fixture off the back of two consecutive wins. The Blues racked up 49 points in a bonus-point win when the sides last met in December, but head to Nottingham without their leading try scorer, Sean French, who misses the game due to injury. The Archers will be looking to tighten up their defence after nearly letting a 20+ point lead slip against London Scottish two weeks ago, while unleashing their backline in what should be an entertaining encounter between two of the league's most attacking sides. 

2nd host 10th in Friday's late kick off, as Coventry welcome Cambridge to Butts Park Arena, looking to hold second place and keep the pressure up on Ealing Trailfinders at the top of the table. The home side will be overwhelming favourites to take the spoils given their recent run of form which included a 17-47 win against an in-form Hartpury side at the Alpas Arena. But if this season has taught us anything, it's that there are no foregone conclusions in The Championship. 

Caldy host last week's giant killers, Ampthill, in Saturday's only game. Just one place separates the two sides in the league table, and recent results between these two point towards a tight affair: 16-17 and 26-19 to Ampthill, followed by a 21-26 win for Caldy. A home win would see Caldy close the 10-point gap on Ampthill, while defeat could see the bottom two close the gap on the 9th-placed Ravers. Expect this one to go down to the wire.