On Friday, 3rd October, 2025, Nottingham Archers host Doncaster Knights at The Bay in the first ever game in Champ Rugby, The Proving Ground.

Turn the clock back 38 years, and, on Saturday, 5th September, 1987, Nottingham hosted Moseley at Ireland Avenue in the inaugural game in the newly formed Courage Clubs Championship Division 1.

The game featured on the cover on the October 1987 edition of the Rugby World magazine.

On that occasion, Nottingham ran out winners, beating Moseley by 21 points to 12. Simon Hodgkinson score a try, 2 conversions and 3 penalties. The other scorer was David Bell who crossed the line for the other try. Note, a try only scored 4 points back in 1987.

Let’s hope for a similar result on Friday.

COYA