Tough start to Champ Rugby season for promoted Rotherham Titans - 2026/27 fixtures
NEWLY promoted Rotherham Titans have been handed a tough start on their return to the Championship for the 2026/27 season.
Three of their opening fixtures are against teams who finished in the top four last term.
It all starts with an attractive home game against Coventry – third last season – before a trip down to Sixways to take old foes Worcester the following week.
Then come last year’s runners-up, Bedford Blues, back at Clifton Lane.
The local derby against Doncaster Knights is on December 5, with the return at Castle Park in January.
The Christmas period starts with a visit from reigning champions Ealing Trailfinders before a double header with Chinnor at home on Boxing Day and away on January 2.
The season ends at Coventry on April 24.
Dates are subject to change.
Among the Titans’ new signings are utility back Jack Howells from Loughborough University, Australian lock and loose forward James Brown, former Wasps and Exeter Chiefs lock Alfie Bell, fly-half Russell Bennett and prop Zac Nearchou.
He has had a loan spell at Clifton Lane before and has Premiership experience with Wasps.
Many of the team which won National One are also staying on.
The retentions include JB Bruzulier, last season’s top try scorer Jackson Barling, Travis Gordon, Morgan Veness, Callum Bustin, Andrew Foster and last-term’s stand-out player in the eyes of many, Isaac Shaw.
The squad will again be led by Director of Rugby Harvey Biljon.
Fixtures in full:
SEPTEMBER
19 Coventry H
26 Worcester A
OCTOBER
3 Bedford H
10 Caldy H
17 Richmond A
31 Cornish Pirates H
NOVEMBER
7 Nottingham A
14 Hartpury H
21 Blackheath A
DECEMBER
5 Doncaster H
12 Ampthill A
19 Ealing H
26 Chinnor A
JANUARY
2 Chinnor H
23 Doncaster A
30 Nottingham H
FEBRUARY
6 Cornish Pirates A
13 Richmond H
20 Caldy A
27 Bedford A
MARCH
20 Blackheath H
27 Hartpury A
APRIL
3 Ampthill H
10 Ealing A
17 Worcester H
24 Coventry A