​Champ Rugby champions Worcester Warriors will begin their title defense with a repeat of last season’s playoff final against Bedford on the opening weekend of the new campaign. The Warriors clinched a remarkable return to professional rugby in 2025-26 by beating Blues 27-14 in late May, following years of financial turmoil that nearly drove the club to extinction. The rematch will see Bedford return to Sixways on Saturday, 19 September, as Worcester kick off the new season with back-to-back home fixtures, welcoming newly promoted Rotherham the following week.
Matt Everard’s side will then face their first West Midlands derby against Coventry on 21 November at Nicklewined Newbold Stadium, with the return fixture at Sixways set for March 2027. After the Coventry clash, Worcester renew their rivalry with last season’s undefeated table-toppers Ealing on 5 December. Despite finishing the regular season with 24 wins from 24 and a 40-point cushion over fourth-placed Worcester, Ealing were edged at home by Warriors in a dramatic playoff semi-final decided on the final play of the game.
The Warriors will revisit the Trailfinders Sports Ground on 23 January, 2027. Worcester have named Launchbury as head of their new academy, with the club also signaling that there is no rush to return to the Premiership, according to Vaughan. The play-off victory marked the culmination of a uniquely challenging season, described by Vaughan as a very special title win, and Everard noted it as a remarkable achievement.
Over the festive period, Worcester will play a double-header against the Cornish Pirates, hosting them on 26 December before traveling to the southwest for their first match of 2027 a week later. The campaign will finish with home games against Caldy and Chinnor, followed by away trips to Rotherham and Bedford on the final weekend, 24 April. Coventry—who finished the regular season in third place, six points behind Worcester—were defeated by Bedford 58-24 in the semi-finals and will meet them again in week 10 of the new season on 5 December.
Coventry begin 2026-27 by traveling to Rotherham before hosting the Pirates in their first home game on 26 September. They will play Hartpury both home and away over Christmas and New Year, while Ealing visit over Easter on 27 March 2027. Two of Coventry’s final three matches are at home against Richmond and Rotherham, with a trip to Cornwall sandwiched in between.
Worcester Warriors opened the 2025-26 campaign by beating Midlands rivals Coventry 29-19 at Sixways, but Coventry struck back with a 64-28 victory in early May. Listen to Sport’s Strangest Crimes – Bloodgate, and tune into the latest Rugby Union Weekly podcast for more SEO-friendly rugby coverage. This season promises a packed and competitive schedule as Worcester look to defend their crown.