This Saturday brings the most loaded fixture of Richmond’s season. Local rivals London Scottish return to the Richmond Athletic Ground for a derby that carries genuine consequences at the bottom of the Champ Rugby table.

With only two points separating the sides, Richmond sit 12th and Scottish 13th, both currently in the relegation play-off positions. It’s early January, but the importance of this one is hard to overstate. A win creates breathing space. The loser is pulled further into a fight neither side wants.

A Unique Rivalry
This is one of English rugby’s most unusual rivalries. Two clubs, one ground, no clear sense of home or away, and a guarantee of hard-hitting rugby every time they clash.

Historically, the fixture stretches back more than a century, with early 20th-century New Year’s clashes between Scotland Schoolboys and England Schoolboys laying the foundations for what remains one of English rugby’s most distinctive rivalries.

More recently, the rivalry took on sharper meaning in 2022/23, when London Scottish defeated Richmond in a relegation play-off that pushed us back into National Division 1. A result that still lingers.

Recent Meetings
Form rarely dictates outcomes in this fixture, but recent history has leaned in the favour of the boys in old gold, red and black.

LAST 5:
• Apr 22, 2023: 49–3 London Scottish win
• Dec 31, 2022: 22–8 Richmond win
• Jan 15, 2022: 31–12 Richmond win
• Oct 9, 2021: 43–21 Richmond win
• Sep 4, 2021: 17–13 Richmond win

Recent form:
London Scottish arrive with renewed belief after ending an eight-game losing run last weekend, beating Doncaster Knights 34–10 on the same pitch they’ll return to on Saturday. It was a clinical performance that showed exactly what they’re capable of when things click.

Richmond, meanwhile, come off a Boxing Day defeat away at Bedford Blues. The scoreline didn’t reflect the contest, with Richmond staying competitive against a side currently second in the table. There was frustration in leaving empty-handed, but also encouragement in the performance level.

Conditions and atmosphere
The forecast is promising. Dry weather and sunshine are expected, ideal conditions for fast, open rugby and exactly what this fixture deserves. With hospitality sold out months ago, interest around the game is already high and the atmosphere should reflect that.

Matchday at the RAG
There’s plenty happening throughout the day:
• Richmond U22s kick off at 13:30pm, offering a full afternoon of rugby
• Expanded food and beverage options will be available pre- and post-match to accommodate increased demand
• We will be showing Harlequins vs Northampton Saints – 17:30PM & The Darts World Championship final – 20:00pm
• Supporters are strongly advised to arrive early to avoid queues at the gates and make the most of the day