And just like that, the summer is over and levels three and four of English rugby are ready for the start of the 2024/25 season. (Photo Credit: Paul Clark)

It’s time to get going again.

Nineteen weeks since the final whistle sounded on the 2023/24 season, the new National League Rugby campaign is finely upon us.

Last term, it was glory for Chinnor who created history by gaining promotion to the Championship while Rotherham Titans, Esher and Dings Crusaders clinched their respective titles in National Two.

So 123 days later, we are set for another epic eight months of rugby and here are a few things to look out for on the opening day of the season.

National One

It is difficult to know what will take centre stage in National One this term (which is a good thing by the way). Last year, the title race between Chinnor and Rams RFC kept us entertained but arguably the fight for survival was even more absorbing.

The battle to avoid the drop between Cinderford, Taunton, Leicester Lions and Bishop’s Stortford went down to the wire but on the final day, it was the latter two who evaded the trapdoor.

Stortford and the Lions meet in Round One this weekend, with both clubs aiming to climb the standings this term whilst newly-promoted Rotherham, Esher and Dings will be looking to get their feet under the table as efficiently as possible.

In National Two North in 2023/24, Rotherham emerged victorious from a title race for the ages as they pipped Yorkshire counterparts Leeds Tykes to promotion while Dings Crusaders did something similar to Luctonians in National Two West, the Bristol outfit stringing together an unbeaten run of 21 matches to book their place in National One.

As for Esher, it was an immediate return to the third tier for Peter Winterbottom’s troops and the EEEs begin life back at this level with a visit to Sedgley Park. The hosts on Saturday will be celebrating the life of former chairman and president David Smith who sadly died last year.

“It was sad when he passed away,” Sedgley Park centre Matt Riley told the National League Rugby Preview Show.

“I think quite a lot [of people] still haven’t got over it and it still doesn’t feel real. You get used to seeing someone at the club. All the work he’s done over the years, you only have to look at the clubhouse and the pitch, the stand, the balconies. H.H. Smith and Sons, all the money they have put in over the years, the club wouldn’t be where it is without him, his brothers and his family.

“There is going to be a lot of people there [on Saturday], a lot of family and friends so hopefully we can get the job done on the field for them.”

It is set to be a special and big afternoon at Park Lane so if you are in the area, why not visit Sedgley Park this weekend? Tickets can be purchased at the gate.

Meanwhile, with no team coming down from the Championship, the race for top spot in National One will be hotly contested again. Rams RFC – who have finished as runners-up in the last two seasons – may well be hoping it is third time lucky this term but clubs such as Rosslyn Park, Plymouth Albion, Birmingham Moseley and Richmond may also toss their hat into the ring.

Opening Day Fixtures: Blackheath v Richmond, Rotherham v Rosslyn Park, Rams v Darlington Mowden Park, Sedgley Park v Esher, Plymouth Albion v Sale FC, Birmingham Moseley v Dings, Bishop’s Stortford v Leicester Lions.

National Two North

A penny for the thoughts of Leeds Tykes at the end of April.

In any other season, Pete Seabourne’s men would have waltzed into the sunset with a National Two North title under their arm after racking up 24 wins and 121 points. However, Rotherham were able to match the Tykes’ ridiculously high standards and in the end, the club from South Yorkshire edged them to promotion.

So, can Leeds go again? Well, all the signs suggest they are the frontrunners to claim pole position considering they finished 29 points clear of third place last year and with no team dropping down from National One, it only enhances their ‘favourites’ tag.

But it would be extremely foolish to suggest it is already a foregone conclusion for the Tykes, and they will agree. Sheffield were arguably the surprise package in 2023/24 as Anthony Posa guided his charges to the bronze medal position in superb fashion with 10 successive wins at Abbeydale Park a key factor. Wharfedale also shot up the standings to finish in fourth spot while Fylde are usually in the mix too so it will be interesting to see how that particular duo fare.

Tynedale will be an intriguing proposition with former England and Leicester No.8 Dean Richards taking the reins at Station Road with ex-Sale Sharks, Bath and Newcastle Falcon Carl Fearns also part of the coaching group.

Elsewhere, Harrogate are the only team who have risen into National Two North as the Yorkshire outfit bounced back at the first attempt following promotion from Regional One North East.

It sounds obvious but Martyn Wood and Dan Scarborough’s side were able to make winning a habit again last term after two difficult campaigns at level four. During 2021/22 and 2022/23, they picked up just eight wins from 56 matches so they will want to set the record straight this time around.

Opening Day Fixtures: Billingham v Harrogate, Hull v Otley, Hull Ionians v Lymm, Leeds Tykes v Tynedale, Preston Grasshoppers v Chester, Sheffield v Fylde, Wharfedale v Sheffield Tigers.

National Two East

Like in National Two North, no club from National One will be heading into National Two East so after finishing behind Blackheath and last year’s champions Esher over the last couple of seasons, will it be the turn of Barnes or Dorking this time around?

The pair have finished in second and third respectively in back-t0-back campaigns so both seem like the standout candidates to challenge for top spot this term. Henley Hawks and Tonbridge Juddians may also be in the mix while it has been a busy summer for Bury St Edmunds.

After an excellent start to the 2023/24 season, Jacob Ford’s men fell away from the title race in the second half of the campaign. The Wolfpack put together a 10-match unbeaten run but only managed to record two wins from their final 11 games.

But Bury have bolstered. Twenty-three new signings have arrived at the GK IPA Haberden – which has been aided by the club’s recent relationship with Doncaster Knights who are coached by Ford’s younger brother, Joe – so how will it all unfold for the Suffolk outfit?

With the aforementioned six clubs seemingly in good shape to begin the new campaign, the race to be ‘Number One’ in National Two East will undoubtedly be a gripping watch from start to finish.

The same can be said when discussing the newly-promoted teams. Oxford Harlequins, Colchester and Havant have all been promoted into the fourth tier and all have different stories to tell.

Oxford Harlequins have risen from level six to level four in three years whilst remaining fully amateur while Colchester will be competing in National League Rugby for the first time in their 100-year history.

As for Havant, it has been 15 years since the club were in National Two but under the stewardship of dynamic coaching duo Rob Matthews and Will Knight, they are back at this level.

Matthews and Knight have overseen more than 300 games in charge of the club and have taken a team which was on its knees and turned them into a side ready to embrace the challenge of National Two East.

“When Will and I started, we had seven people at training,” Director of Rugby Matthews told the National League Rugby Preview Show. “That is when the journey truly started. This is about the next iteration of what we have been doing over the last 15 years.”

“Getting promoted back to the National Leagues is certainly a highlight,” added head coach Knight. “We are not just here to make up the numbers. We want to grow, be competitive and play a brand of rugby that excites.”

Havant open their account with a home clash against Sevenoaks and pre-match lunch tickets are still available to purchase via this LINK.

Opening Day Fixtures: Barnes v Oxford Harlequins, Canterbury v Colchester, Guernsey v Worthing, Havant v Sevenoaks, Old Albanian v Henley, Tonbridge Juddians v Dorking, Westcombe Park v Bury St Edmunds.

National Two West

So with no clubs coming down from National One to the two aforementioned National Two leagues, you may have guessed by now that they have both entered National Two West for the 2024/25 campaign.

For the first time in four years, Taunton will be competing at this level after being one of the victims of the National One relegation fight last term. It sounds like it will be a season of expectation at Veritas Park with the club aiming for an instant return to the third tier and the Somerset outfit have arguably secured the ‘biggest’ signing of the summer.

The acquisition of former England international and Exeter Chiefs star Ollie Devoto caused a bit of fervour when the club announced his arrival and whilst the 30-year-old will pull on the boots in National Two West (he starts their first game of the season away at Loughborough Students), he will wear a few different hats at Taunton whether that be in the marketing department, coaching or in the community.

Any sense of anticipation around Taunton may also filter into the thinking of Cinderford who are back in National Two after six years at level three. Clive Stuart-Smith’s side certainly have the tools to challenge for top spot this term and will also be aided by former Gloucester and Italy back-row Jake Polledri who is part of the backroom staff at the Beavis Memorial Ground.

Last year’s runners-up Luctonians may well go again after another strong campaign in 2023/24. For large portions of the season, Ryan Watkins’ charges looked favourites for the title but a blip in form between February and March – combined with the relentlessness of Dings Crusaders – saw their promotion chances peter out.

Bristol duo Clifton and Old Redcliffians – who finished third and fourth in 23/24 – may also be in the hunt, with the latter beginning the new campaign at home to Cinderford. Dan Cox’s men will be aiming to stretch their unbeaten run at Scotland Lane to 11 matches.

In terms of the ‘new boys’ to the division, they come in the form of Devonport Services and Macclesfield. After clinching the Regional One South West title with 19 wins from a possible 22 last term, Devonport are now set for their latest chapter but will do so as a fully amateur side.

As for Macc, they are back at this level for the first time in five years after going toe-to-toe with Rossendale for promotion from Regional One North West. The Blues have been able to keep together the core group of players which guided them to the title, with captain James Oliver leading by example, whilst also confirming the permanent signings of ex-Sedgley Park flyer Jamie Harrison and former Rotherham Titan Dan Leake.

Macc will be led by head coach Rhys Davies and performance analyst turned Director of Rugby Matt Coleridge.

Opening Day Fixtures: Bournville v Devonport Services, Camborne v Macclesfield, Exeter University v Clifton, Hinckley v Luctonians, Hornets v Redruth, Loughborough Students v Taunton, Old Redcliffians v Cinderford.

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