Ealing Trailfinders vs Hartpury: Match Preview

Week 3 of the 2026/27 Elior Champ Rugby season saw more nail-biting games and high-scoring action as the league table begins to take shape. But perhaps one of the biggest surprises of the season so far was Ealing’s last-minute defeat to the Cornish Pirates.

The Trailfinders went undefeated until the playoffs last season, yet the new campaign looks like it will be a different story. They’ll be keen to bounce back quickly and return to winning ways this weekend as they face Hartpury at home. 

The plucky Hartpury will be hoping it’s their turn to cause an upset and record their second win of the season. Ahead of the game live on BLAZE on Sunday 11th October, we take a look at how both clubs shape up and a few storylines to keep your eye on.

It’s safe to say that last weekend’s result was an unfamiliar feeling for the Ealing Trailfinders, whose last regular season loss came in the 2024/25 season. 

True to form, the Trailfinders started strongly, taking the lead just three minutes into the game courtesy of Fionn Gibbons. But a flurry of tries would see both sides level on 21 points apiece heading into half-time. 

Further tries from Gibbons and Ealing’s Nick Lilley kept the game close, before a 73rd-minute try from Matt Cornish looked to have sealed it in the visitors' favour. But the Pirates weren’t going down without a fight, and Matt Pritchard squeezed over the line with the clock in the red to give Arwel Robson a chance to convert for their first home victory over Trailfinders for five years.

Robson duly delivered, clinching a memorable 35-33 victory in front of ecstatic supporters at Mennaye Field.

Meanwhile, Hartpury suffered a 33-24 defeat at home to an in-form Ampthill, who maintain a perfect record. 

Hartpury took an early lead thanks to Caio James’ strong effort, but Ampthill surged back and were in control by a score of 21-10 by half-time. A penalty try got Hartpury back within one score after the break, but Ampthill kept racking up the points, with two scores coming from Tayo Adegbemile.

Entering week four of the season, Ealing sit in fourth place with two wins from three. Hartpury lies 12th, with a single victory claimed on the opening weekend.

Louie Johnson – Ealing Trailfinders 

There’s no shortage of star quality to choose from out of the Trailfinders’ squad, but new addition for 2026/27, Louie Johnson, has quickly made his presence felt. The 23-year-old fly-half moved from NW4 to his new home of W13, after playing for Saracens last season.

Johnson’s strong kicking and passing form has been on display in each of the Trailfinders’ three games so far. He’s contributed three assists – just one behind the league leading Morgan Adderly-Jones of Nottingham. Watch for more of the same this weekend, but don’t overlook Fionn Gibbons either, fresh off the back of a two-try performance against the Pirates.

Jay Evans – Hartpury

Another young player to keep an eye out for this week is Jay Evans, who has started the season strongly at his new club. Prior to joining Hartpury, the back-rower and flanker spent three seasons for Clifton RFC and helped the team win promotion from National League 2.

Those performances saw him be crowned Player of the Season for 2025/26. He’s already proven to be a strong asset to Hartpury in his first season in the Champ, winning four turnovers in just three games. That sort of form makes him a serious threat to the Trailfinders’ attacking game. Hartpury fans will also be looking forward to seeing how their exciting scrum-half, Rhys Price, continues to develop as he adjusts to life in the Champ.

Can the Ealing Trailfinders return to their formidable form, or are Hartpury going to upset the form book and hand them a second successive defeat? Find out by tuning in to BLAZE on Sunday 27th from 3:30pm (4pm kick-off) for what promises to be an unmissable game. 

Want more Elior Champ Rugby? BLAZE is the place to be, with live coverage continuing across the next five weeks. Catch the action live on BLAZE, free on Freeview 64, Sky 156, Sky Glass/Sky Stream 169, Freesat 161 and Virgin 174, or stream via the free BLAZE app.