Freezing weather conditions across England have scuppered the return of National League Rugby. (Photo Credit: Otley RUFC)

After a two-week break for the Christmas period, widespread frost and snow has impacted half of Round 15’s fixtures across National One and National Two.

The bitterly cold weather looks set to stay between Friday night and Saturday afternoon but at the time of publishing:

Four matches in National One have been called off including Rams’ (2nd) trip to 10th-placed Sale FC.

National Two North’s schedule has been decimated with six fixtures falling foul to the weather. Lymm (2nd) are still set to travel to Fylde (4th) subject to a pitch inspection at 9am on Saturday morning.

There is slightly better news in National Two East and National Two West with just four postponements across the two leagues.

Full list of postponements are at the bottom of the article.

Preview

With National One leaders Richmond and second-placed Rams not in action due to postponements, third-placed Rotherham Titans could move to the summit of the division if their scheduled visit to Esher (13th) goes ahead.

Before Christmas, Harvey Biljon’s troops cut the gap between themselves and table-toppers Richmond to four points following a hard-fought 29-14 success over bottom club Darlington Mowden Park. After clinching promotion from National Two North last term, the Yorkshire outfit find themselves in another title conversation and a bonus-point success in Surrey would move them into first position.

The meeting between Rosslyn Park (4th) and Blackheath (5th) is likely to go ahead due to Park having a 4G pitch at The Rock. The hosts enter Round 15 after ending Richmond’s unbeaten record before Christmas while the visitors will be looking to translate their impressive run of seven straight home wins onto the road.

Meanwhile, Sedgley Park (11th) will take on Dings Crusaders (9th) on an artificial surface at Shaftesbury Park with The Tigers keen to build on an unbeaten December.

Over in National Two East, with Tonbridge Juddians’ (1st) Kent derby against Sevenoaks (11th) being postponed, nearest rivals Dorking (2nd) could cut the eight gap at the summit when they entertain Old Albanian (10th).

Elsewhere, with both matches being played on 4G, Colchester’s (13th) clash with third-placed Barnes and Oxford Harlequins (12th) vs Bury St Edmunds (6th) should go ahead. The two home sides will be keen to begin 2025 on a positive note as they look to move away from the danger zone.

Also across the division, Guernsey Raiders (5th) host Havant (9th) and bottom-of-the-table Worthing welcome an in-form Canterbury (4th) to The Rugby Park.

In National Two West, Camborne start the New Year five points clear of second-placed Cinderford but they begin 2025 with a huge clash away at fourth-placed Taunton Titans. The hosts – who were beaten 29-19 by Hornets just before Christmas – haven’t lost at home all term, but the league leaders will be in no mood for the title race to be blown wide open in Round 15.

Third-placed Clifton will be keeping close tabs on proceedings in Somerset when National League Rugby’s in-form team visit fifth-placed Luctonians. Matt Salter and Luke Cozens’ men are currently on an eight-match winning streak and sit just five points behind table-toppers Camborne.

Elsewhere, a rising Hornets (6th) outfit will face Loughborough Students (9th) on the home side’s 4G surface while Redruth (7th) host Bournville (12th) and bottom-of-the-table Devonport Services take on Old Redcliffians (8th).

And in National Two North, if the pitch at Fylde (4th) is deemed fit to play on, Lymm (2nd) could move back to the summit of the division with a positive result at Woodlands.

Round 15’s postponed fixtures (As of 16:30 on Friday)