[1] The twelve teams in the RFU Championship also compete in the British and Irish Cup, along with clubs from Ireland and Wales.

On 24 January 2017 London Welsh were expelled from the championship after failing to meet the conditions required by the RFU to extend a temporary licence granted after their liquidation.

[3] The top four teams at the end of the home-and-away season qualify for the promotion play-offs which follow a 1 v 4, 2 v 3 system.

The winners have to meet the RFU's Minimum Standards Criteria in order to be promoted to the English Premiership.

[5] Despite this, Cornish Pirates stated more money was needed in RFU grants to support a fully professional second tier.

[8] Richmond subsequently entered administration and dropped eight tiers following two seasons in the premiership between 1997 and 1999.

[10] On 24 January 2017 London Welsh were expelled from the championship after failing to meet the conditions required by the RFU to extend the temporary licence.