After an absence of two seasons away from the second tier of English Rugby, we find ourselves back, this time in the newly revamped version of the competition: Champ Rugby.

This revamp sees opportunity come knocking for clubs in the second tier; a chance for the side who finishes at the top of Champ Rugby to enter a one game play off with the bottom side of Prem Rugby. The expansion of the league will see 14 teams take part, with Worcester Warriors being welcomed back to English Rugby, after a three-year hiatus from the game.

While the Warriors will bring the likes of Matt Kvesic and Billy Twelvetrees to The Richmond Athletic Ground, Richmond’s blend of youthful excitement and experienced heads will look to prove to the rest of Champ Rugby that they are not there to make up the numbers. Head Coach Rob Powell has been working with the squad throughout the summer, aiming to create a “strong team dynamic and culture” which is centred around the “power of the player.” When speaking, Powell acknowledges that Richmond’s players may face an uphill battle against the likes of Worcester and other full-time counterparts but emphasises that the “the power of the players is more important than the quality of individuals.”

Another word that has been on the lips of the coaching staff at Richmond is “organisation.” When speaking about his expectations for the season, Powell spoke about the importance of heading into games with his team knowing their roles. A key factor in this will be newly appointed Club Captain Paddy Case, who has experience from Richmond’s earlier campaigns in the RFU Championship. Case, alongside the other members of the leadership group, will look to uphold Richmond’s proud ethos both on and off the field. As Case stated upon his appointment as Club Captain, “While we understand and are looking forward to the challenges of the Champ on the pitch, it’s also important that we maintain the traditional ethos of this great club.”

In addition to Paddy’s experience, former Edinburgh fly half Jason Baggott joins the club, drawn by the lure of a historic side like Richmond and the exciting opportunities ahead after a decade playing in Scotland. Jason has spent preseason integrating into Head Coach Powell’s system, bringing his experience, vision, and leadership to the squad. Richmond’s squad also boasts versatile talents like full back Callum Grieve, who last season played a role in all 26 fixtures, one of only three to do so. He has the ability to play across the entire backline and will be an effervescent vocal presence, consistently setting the standards.

The additional jeopardy of relegation to National League One, a league Richmond were stunningly promoted from last season, means that every win this season will be vital. The days of 83 game win streaks may unfortunately be behind the club, but any victory that contributes to the effort of remaining in Champ Rugby should be savoured equally. As Managing Director Phil White says, “this season is as important as any season to consolidate the club’s foundations.” The effort to stay in the league begins on October 4th at home against Chinnor Rugby. It is hoped that Richmond’s, and Powell’s, attitude of harnessing off the field cohesion, as well as on the field, will help to create the special scenes that were on display last season between the supporters and the team, with a sense of the metaphorical 16th player being ever-more-important in this Champ season.

Of course, not every victory will be savoured as sweetly as any potential victory over our fellow Richmond Athletic Ground tenants, London Scottish. Richmond’s first reunion with The Exiles takes place in the 2026 curtain raiser, on January 3rd. The rivalry, which has a long and storied history, is renewed this season with Richmond’s promotion. Even Powell confesses that despite the clubs “being friends off the pitch, eyes naturally gravitated towards those two fixtures when the fixture list came out.” Fellow London club Ealing Trailfinders will also visit the RAG on Friday October 17th in Round 3.

Both White and Powell talk of the importance of the club trying to maintain its strong links to the community. White talks about the club offering ticket deals on its ‘Friday Night Lights’ fixtures, and Powell mentions trying to “get fans and members of all ages into The RAG.” The club is looking to utilise its facilities outside of rugby, with a range of events from Sevens Festivals to Firework displays. Both the Head Coach and Managing Director talk about all elements of the club, with it being one of England’s largest community clubs. White states that he feels the club has a “vital role attracting boys and girls to play rugby and learn the game.” In Richmond’s position it may be easy to become entirely focussed on staying in the league and sacrificing that element, that is not the case for the club. An eagerness to support the women’s team (who will be involved in Saturdays doubleheader) and all teams at all levels within the club is high on the agenda.

In a league with many stories to tell, perhaps Richmond’s is the most intriguing. The innovation of Alan Rotherham (the man who revolutionised halfback play), to the names of Quinell and Skinstad that leap off the tongue, tell stories of their own. The club, with its longstanding heritage, including being one of the RFU’s founding members in 1871, has a whole host of firsts to its proud name (including the first fixture against the All Blacks in 1905, the first fixture at Twickenham in 1909 and the founders of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 1990) and now has another first; the first season in the brave new era that is Champ Rugby. While history will count for nothing against the new aspirational forces, there might still be some magic left in the old Gold, Black and Red shirt.