BUY TICKETS OR HOSPITALITY

Elior Champ Rugby returns to the Richmond Athletic Ground this Saturday as Richmond open the 2026/27 campaign against Ampthill, with a later 5:00pm kick-off at the RAG.

After a long summer and a busy pre-season, attention finally turns back to competitive rugby as Richmond begin a new chapter in front of a home crowd. Ampthill provide the first test of the campaign, arriving in south-west London after finishing 10th in the Elior Champ last season, with both sides looking to lay down an early marker in Round 1.

There will be plenty of new faces to watch in Richmond colours, with summer signings Charlie Bell, Hugo Culverhouse and Sam Reynolds all named in the starting XV. Bell and Culverhouse combine in the second row, while Reynolds starts out wide, with Fergus Dick and Tom Riman also in line to make their competitive Richmond debuts from the bench.

There will also be a familiar face in the visitors’ starting side, with former Richmond player George Nugent named for Ampthill. His return adds another storyline to an opening-round fixture that already has all the ingredients for a fiercely contested start to the season.

Richmond name Alex Schwarz as captain, with Jake Monson vice-captain, while Theo Bevacqua, Will Goffey and Luke Spring form the front row. Bell and Culverhouse make up the second row, with Monson, JJ O’Dea and Jared Cardew completing the pack. Schwarz partners Jason Baggott at half-back, while James Langston and Paddy Case line up in the centres. Josh Addams, Reynolds and Callum Grieve complete the starting XV.

Round 1 always brings an element of the unknown. Months of preparation are replaced by competitive rugby, new combinations are tested under pressure and the first opportunity arrives to set the tone for the season ahead. For Richmond, Saturday offers the first proper look at a refreshed squad, while Ampthill will arrive determined to start their campaign strongly.

Supporters can make a full afternoon and evening of it at the RAG, with Vikings taking on Ampthill 2nd XV on pitch 2 at 2:30, gates from 3:30pm and kick-off at 5:00pm, followed by post-match entertainment until late.