RFU Championship finalists Bristol Rugby will face Rotherham Titans on the opening weekend of the 2010-11 season.

Denied promotion by Exeter Chiefs in last month's two-legged final, Bristol will be looking to go one better, as will Worcester, who join the Championship following their relegation from the Guinness Premiership. The Warriors face Birmingham & Solihull in Round 1 on the weekend of August 28.

The season will follow the three stage system of the 2009-10 season - 22 Rounds (Stage 1, see attached), six Play-Off rounds (Stage 2) followed by semi-finals and a double-legged final (Stage 3).

Clubs finishing in the top eight will go into two promotion pools of four and based on their ranking will start with points as a reward for their record during Rounds 1-22. The 1st ranked team will have three points, the 2nd two, the 3rd one and the 4th none.

Clubs finishing in the bottom four will go into one relegation pool and will carry forward one point for every game won in Rounds 1-22.

RFU Tournament and Competitions Director Terry Burwell said: "The inaugural RFU Championship season produced some exciting rugby with more television exposure than ever before at this level thanks to the RFU's five-year agreement with Sky Sports, culminating in a thrilling climax in the pool and knockout stages.

"We have reviewed the season in conjunction with the Championship clubs and developed a structure which rewards teams for their record throughout 22 rounds of the regular season but retains the excitement of the Play-Offs."

Geoff Irvine, Chairman of the Championship Clubs, added: "We are excited about the second season of the Championship and feel that the changes made reflect the desire of the clubs to have some incentive which can be carried forward to the Play-Offs."

The transfer deadline for signing players ahead of the Play-Offs has been extended by two weeks until Friday, January 28, prior to Round 19.

In addition, clubs may not play or select as a replacement in a match more than six England Academy players and loan players, of which no more than three shall be loan players.

The British & Irish Cup pools and fixtures are being finalised and will be announced in due course.

The 2010-11 RFU Championship

12 clubs - Bedford Blues, Birmingham & Solihull, Bristol Rugby, Cornish Pirates, Doncaster Knights, Esher, London Welsh, Moseley, Nottingham Rugby, Plymouth Albion, Rotherham Titans, Worcester Warriors

League programme - Stage 1 (22 matches, starting weekend of August 28)
* all teams playing 22 matches (11 home & 11 away)
* 4 points for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 bonus point for either a) scoring 4 or more tries or b) losing by 7 points or less
* top 8 teams from league progress to promotion play-offs
* teams 9-12 from league progress to relegation play-offs

Promotion Play-Offs - Stage 2 (6 matches)
* promotion play-off matches March 12, 19, 26 to April 2, 9, 16
* 2 pools of 4 teams playing 6 matches (3 home & 3 away)
* teams finishing 1, 4, 5 & 8 from league play in Pool A and will be ranked 1 to 4
* teams finishing 2, 3, 6 & 7 from league play in Pool B and will be ranked 1 to 4
* the 1st ranked team in each pool will start the Play-Offs with three points, the 2nd two, the 3rd one and the 4th none
* 4 points for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 bonus point for either a) scoring 4 or more tries or b) losing by 7 points or le
* after 6 pool matches, top 2 teams from Pools A & B progress to semi final and then the winners to the final

Relegation Play-Offs (6 matches)
* relegation play-off matches scheduled for March 12, 19, 26 - April 2, 9, 16
* 1 pool of 4 teams playing 6 matches (3 home & 3 away)
* each team will carry forward one point for every game won in Stage 1.
* 4 points for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 bonus point for either a) scoring 4 or more tries or b) losing by 7 points or less
* after 6 pool matches played, lowest ranked team is relegated to National Division One (level three)

Knockout games - Stage 3 (3 matches)
* semi final draw - 1st Pool A v 2nd Pool B & 1st Pool B v 2nd Pool A
* semi finals April 30
* final May 14 & 21(TBC subject to brodcast rights holders Sky Sports).
* winner of Championship final promoted to Guinness Premiership subject to fulfilling entry criteria