Nottingham
Nottingham are a men's rugby club founded in 1877 who play in the Champ Rugby (Championship) (Tier 2). Their home ground is The Bay, which holds 3,700.
Last updated May 2026
Key facts
| Founded | 1877 |
|---|---|
| League | Champ Rugby (Championship) |
| Tier | Tier 2 |
| Head coach | Craig Hammond |
| Home ground | The Bay |
| Capacity | 3,700 |
| Nearest station | Nottingham |
| Matchday pub | Clubhouse bar at The Bay |
| Official website | https://www.nottinghamrugby.co.uk/ |
Club history
Nottingham RFC was established around 1877 by Alexander Birkin after he returned from Rugby School and the Birkin family later purchased the land at Ireland Avenue that became the club's home until 2006.
Nottingham were founder members of the Courage League when it launched in 1987 and spent several seasons in the top flight.
England internationals Rob Andrew Brian Moore Simon Hodgkinson Dusty Hare and Gary Rees all played for Nottingham at Ireland Avenue during the late 1980s.
The club left its historic Ireland Avenue ground in 2006 ending more than a century at the same site.
Recent seasons
Craig Hammond became Nottingham head coach at the start of the 2021-22 season.
Nottingham have finished 10th 9th and 8th in the Championship during Hammond's first three full seasons in charge.
Hammond signed a new two-year deal in 2025 extending his stay until 2027.
Nottingham beat Cambridge 61-22 in April 2025 during the closing rounds of the 2024-25 Championship.
Notable players
Club legends
- Rob Andrew
- Brian Moore
- Dusty Hare
- Simon Hodgkinson
- Gary Rees
Current squad
- Ben Brownlie
- Oscar Stott
- Mink Scharink
- Evan Mitchell
- Osian Thomas
Turning Nottingham footage into insight
Every match Nottingham play holds a goldmine of detail. Framesports turns rugby footage into the analytics that actually matter and data that builds smarter game plans, collected by analysts and checked by humans. See how it works on the Framesports features page.
Frequently asked questions
When were Nottingham founded?
Nottingham were founded in 1877.
Where do Nottingham play?
Nottingham play at The Bay, which holds 3,700. The nearest station is Nottingham.
What league do Nottingham play in?
Nottingham compete in the Champ Rugby (Championship), tier 2 of English rugby's league structure.
Who is the Nottingham head coach?
Nottingham are coached by Craig Hammond.
Other Champ Rugby (Championship) clubs
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