Flatmates Turned Foes: Richmond and London Scottish Brace for Relegation Clash
In the world of English rugby, an intense rivalry is brewing at the Richmond Athletic Ground, where Richmond RFC and London Scottish share not only a pitch but also the looming threat of relegation from Elior Champ Rugby. The two sides could be destined for a dramatic head-to-head showdown in a 12th versus 13th place play-off at the season's end, adding a layer of tension to their already fraught relationship as landlord and tenant.
A Rivalry Rekindled on Shared Turf
While ground-sharing is often associated with football giants like AC Milan and Inter Milan at San Siro, the arrangement at the Richmond Athletic Ground has created a unique dynamic in Champ Rugby. Richmond RFC, as the landlord, hosts London Scottish at the RAG, a setup that has reignited a dormant rivalry after Richmond's recent promotion from National 1. The proximity has turned these "noisy flatmates" into fierce competitors, with both teams hoping to avoid a relegation scrap but fans eagerly anticipating the spectacle.
Theo Bevacqua, a prop for Richmond, highlighted the unparalleled nature of this rivalry. "I've never experienced anything like it," he admitted. "We literally both play on the same pitch, and it's our clubhouse that Scottish use. It's the closest rivalry you could physically have. When you pair that with a contact sport like rugby, it can become quite tasty."
Evenly Matched and Acrimonious
The tension is amplified by how evenly matched the two teams are. In their first encounter this season, London Scottish narrowly won 27-26, and Richmond currently leads in the table with 34 points compared to Scottish's 29. Osman Dimen of London Scottish revels in the animosity, stating, "They actually really don't like us, and as it turns out, we actually really don't like them either, but it's a lot of fun." He added that a potential play-off against Richmond would be "a pretty special spectacle."
This rivalry has historical precedent in relegation battles. In the 2022/23 season, London Scottish delivered a crushing 49-3 victory over Richmond on the final day, sending their rivals down to National 1 for two seasons. This year, however, Richmond has shown resilience, picking up 19 points since the start of the new year and finding a more comfortable position in the league.
Season Struggles and Play-Off Prospects
Both clubs face challenging fixtures ahead, including matches against 11th-placed Ampthill and 9th-placed Doncaster Knights, with Scottish also taking on 10th-placed Caldy. Despite a rough patch, including a 72-17 loss to Ealing Trailfinders, London Scottish has managed key wins against teams like Cambridge, Richmond, Chinnor, and Doncaster this campaign. If they maintain this form, they could set up a thrilling finale.
Dimen acknowledged the team's struggles, saying, "We've struggled quite a bit this season and there's no shying away from that. We know we're at the bottom end of the table. At the moment we need as many points as possible so we can push past the likes of Ampthill."
Bevacqua reflected on Richmond's improved performance, noting, "We're now, at the run into the end of the season, in quite a comfortable and good spot. We know our identity and what we need to do to be able to get points in games."
A Grandstand Finish in the Making
The combination of shared history, table proximity, and the unique housing situation makes this potential relegation battle as compelling as any title race in Champ Rugby. Whether the two clubs will meet in the postseason remains to be seen, but if they do, expect fireworks on the pitch, fueled by a rivalry that transcends mere competition and delves into the very fabric of their cohabitation at the Richmond Athletic Ground.
