The
RFU Championship, known for sponsorship reasons as the
Greene King IPA Championship from 2013–14, is the second tier of the
English rugby union league system and was founded in September 1987. The league was previously known as National Division One and in 2009 changed from a league consisting of
semi-professional clubs to one that is now fully
professional. The current champions are
Worcester Warriors, who won promotion to the
English Premiership after beating the
Bristol Rugby in a two legged play-off having finished second in the league during the regular season