Whilst the National League Rugby doesn’t quite have the same widespread appeal as the Premiership or Championship, it’s an undeniably crucial part of English rugby.

Some of the smaller clubs like Rams RFC and Fylde have already proved instrumental in promoting new talent over the years, with many current England internationals learning their trade in the lower divisions.

Without these clubs, budding talents wouldn’t have the staging grounds to get acquainted with top-level professional and semi-professional rugby, so you can see why National League Rugby has become so important! The competition is also a dream for rugby fans, who get to watch many games for a comparatively cheaper price. Spectators often talk about the strong sense of community at these matches, which offers a brilliant place to meet new friends over a shared passion for the sport and players alike.

National League Rugby is also becoming an increasingly popular competition for sports bettors, with bookmakers providing odds on various games from National League One down to National Two North. Bettors can follow their favourite teams and use golden knowledge about the best players to make more accurate predictions at these betting sites. Moreover, bookies are increasingly offering helpful bonuses and odds boosts, which in turn allows rugby betting fans to gain even more value.

Whether you’re thinking of betting on the National League Rugby (or simply just watching one of the many fixtures happening across the season), knowing a bit about some of the best players in the divisions is key to maximising your experience. The league isn’t as obviously visible as the Premiership, so finding out information about players and teams can be challenging, especially to those who aren’t as familiar.

But don’t worry, because we’re here to help. Our passion for National League Rugby means we’re always keeping tabs on the best players in every division. So, who will be instrumental for their team this year? Who could make a breakthrough and be playing Premiership rugby in the seasons to come? And who will earn their club promotion to the big ranks? Keep reading for the lowdown.

Zach Clow – Rams RFC

Zach Clow has continued to establish himself as one of the Rams RFC’s standout players. His versatility and dynamism in the back line has really powered Richmond to successive wins, with other teams simply unable to deal with his strong running game and immense creativity on the fly. Clow has been instrumental in recent victories, with several crucial tries helping the Rams turn the tide in hotly contested matches. If the Richmond team taste the ultimate prize of promotion this year, it’ll be in no small part down to the efforts of Clow. He’s definitely one to watch in the future of National Rugby League.

Tom White – Tonbridge Juddians

Tom White has been a real solid performer for Tonbridge Jubbians in National Two East. The fly-half has shown impeccable game management and tactical kicking so far this season, steering his team to victory with a fair few key decisions. A match-winning conversion against fierce rivals Guernsey Raiders has been the standout moment so far this season, but many fans sense there is more to come from this rising star of the league. White’s ability to remain composed under pressure has made him a reliable figure in tight games and the Juddians will be keen to capitalise and achieve promotion to League One.

Lucas Schmid – Rams RFC

Lucas Schmid is fast becoming the main man at Rams RFC, with a slew of impressive tries helping the Richmond team shoot to the top of the League One rankings. A decisive try against Sales FC during a memorable 31-27 win is perhaps the most important contribution so far, but the blindside flanker’s devastating mix between sheer power and pace will be scaring defences across the country for the entire season. Alongside Zach Clow, many Richmond fans are hoping Schmid can power them to an era-defining promotion for the London club.

Tyler Spence – Preston Grasshoppers

With an almost unplayable pace and agility at times this season, Tyler Spence has been the crown jewel in the Preston Grasshoppers back line, dazzling with some standout performances. His sharp try-scoring instincts have seen the young talent score several tries so far this year, including a notable hat-trick versus Harrogate. And the wing isn’t a pushover either, contributing with some vital defensive efforts to keep the Grasshoppers hopping on an upward trajectory.

Jordan Dorrington – Fylde

Jordan Dorrington scored an impressive hat-trick for Fylde versus Chester, winning him the Man of the Match award. But this was far from the only match-winning contribution from the 28-year-old wing and fullback. A loyal Fylde servant over the years, he now has over 100 appearances and has endeared himself to the fans on several occasions. The versatile player mixes pace, running, passing, and bravery to create a complete package. Alongside the likes of Mike Walton, it’s great for Fylde to have such talented players in the team and supporters will be hoping they can make it count.

Shea Cornish – Plymouth Albion

Shea Cornish is an ever-present performer for Plymouth Albion, with impressive speed and a killer instinct for a try. His efforts have propelled Plymouth to the top end of the National One table, with supporters particularly enjoying his miraculous ability to make something from nothing. Cornish learnt the trade at Plymouth before moving to Exeter Chiefs in the Premiership. A move back to his hometown club has brought considerable experience from the English top division (and his quality is obvious).

Mike Walton – Fylde

Mike Walton has been an essential cog in the Fylde forward pack this season. The hard-working lock has transformed the club’s scrum after this summer move, in turn injecting some much-needed power, aggression, and discipline. The forward has also proven to be a master of securing possession so far this season, popping up time and time again to disrupt opposition team’s attackers.

Josh Archer – Barnes

As one of the fastest rising stars in National Two South, Josh Archer is an integral component of the Barnes side despite his age. His versatility keeps the opponents guessing in terms of where he will play, a trick used to perfection by the manager so far this season.