September 18, 2026

The Preview: Pace-setters eye more momentum while others look to jump-start their campaigns

National League Rugby rolls into Round Three and, while it is still early days, the first signs of how the season may unfold are beginning to emerge. (Photo Credit: Gareth Lyons)

National One

Sale FC (1st), Plymouth Albion (2nd) and Tonbridge Juddians (3rd) lead the way after two rounds, and there is also plenty of intrigue beneath the early pace-setters.

Plymouth return to Brickfields on Saturday after two impressive away victories, with Ryan Lamb’s side aiming to maintain their workmanlike start against newly promoted Sheffield (5th).

Albion followed up their opening day success with a deserved 32-21 win at Camborne last weekend, in front of more than 2,600 at the Recreation Ground. Harry Wilkinson once again starred, the hooker scoring twice to take his tally to five tries for the season.

The 24-year-old is expected to make his 100th appearance for Plymouth this weekend, adding a significant milestone to a promising start to the campaign.

Sheffield arrive in Devon with plenty of encouragement of their own. Anthony Posa’s troops have taken six points from their opening two matches and claimed their first-ever National One victory last weekend, beating Leeds Tykes 19-12.

That result will have given the newly promoted side confidence, although a trip to Plymouth presents a very different challenge.

Like Albion, Sale FC have taken maximum points from their opening two games, with their attacking numbers among the most eye-catching across National League Rugby.

Jonathan Keep’s side have scored 116 points so far – the only team to have broken the century mark in National One – with 10 tries in last weekend’s 66-35 victory over Birmingham Moseley contributing to their high-tempo start.

Their next test comes on the road against Bury St Edmunds (6th), who announced themselves in National One with a 38-31 victory over local rivals Cambridge in Round Two.

Three tries in a second-half burst proved decisive for the visitors, and the Wolfpack will now have the chance to challenge themselves against ‘The Dogs’ at GK IPA Haberden.

As for Cambridge (13th), they face another testing assignment away at Tonbridge Juddians.

Craig Newby’s new-look side have suffered two defeats, but there have been encouraging signs. Injuries to key players have made finding cohesion more difficult, yet Cambridge have scored five tries in both of their opening games.

They led Bury 26-17 at half-time last weekend, and could have taken a healthier advantage into the break with greater accuracy. However, it wasn’t to be for the Blood and Sand.

TJs, meanwhile, arrive with confidence after edging a thrilling 39-38 contest at London Scottish. Tom Mannix and Player of the Week Jack Walsh were among those to impress as Jordan Turner-Hall’s side downed the former Champ Rugby club.

Now the challenge is to do the same again against Cambridge in Round Three.

For London Scottish (4th), last weekend’s narrow defeat was frustrating, but Joe Gray’s side would have learnt a lot from their opening fortnight in the third tier.

A 53-27 victory at Bury was followed by last Saturday’s one-point loss to TJs, so Scottish will now be aiming to return to winning ways at Leeds Tykes (14th).

Leeds have suffered two narrow defeats and are still looking for their first victory. Saturday’s fixture also revives an old Championship match-up, with Scottish having won 73-26 at Headingley when the teams last met in 2020. (Leeds were known as Yorkshire Carnegie).

Elsewhere, Bishop’s Stortford (7th) travel to Rams (12th) with defensive improvement high on the agenda.

Tom Coleman’s side have certainly provided entertainment in the opening rounds, but they have conceded more points than anyone else in the division. Rams had to settle for a 24-24 draw against Dings Crusaders last weekend, and will look to exploit any weaknesses in the Stortford rearguard.

Stortford have won the last three meetings between the clubs, including their previous two visits to Old Bath Road.

At The Rock, Rosslyn Park (10th) host Camborne (9th) after a strong and clinical 61-30 victory at Bishop’s Stortford, while Dings Crusaders (11th) travel to Birmingham Moseley (8th) looking to repeat last season’s trick of securing their first win of the campaign at Billesley Common.

National Two North

When Preston Grasshoppers (4th) head coach Dan Orwin and Harrogate (3rd) Director of Rugby Jacob Brady were preparing for the new season, few could have predicted just how well their sides would start.

Only 17 months ago, both clubs were involved in a final-day relegation battle, with Harrogate ultimately dropping through the trapdoor.

Now, as they prepare to meet at Lightfoot Green on Saturday, both have two wins from two on the board.

Preston’s late victory over newly promoted Heath was followed by a result to savour last weekend: a first away win at local rivals Fylde in 25 years.

It is the kind of result that can set the tone for a season, but Harrogate will provide another stern examination.

The Aces followed their opening-day victory over Otley with a 41-31 triumph against Billingham, with Brady’s squad seemingly combining their experience with the momentum generated from last season’s promotion-winning campaign.

Something has to give in Lancashire.

Above the duo, Sedgley Park (1st) and Hull Ionians (2nd) have taken maximum points.

In Round Three, Sedgley host Tynedale (9th) after solid victories over Darlington Mowden Park and Chester respectively. Their opening win over DMP now looks particularly impressive, given the response of Neil Young and Darren Fearn’s side last weekend.

DMP bounced back from their 47-26 defeat to Sedge by thrashing North-East rivals Tynedale 55-12 away from home.

For last season’s runners-up, that derby day defeat will have been a painful one, making Tyne a dangerous proposition when they travel to Sedgley Park on Saturday.

Hull Ionians, meanwhile, welcome Fylde (10th) to Brantingham Park.

Maliq Holden’s side may not have produced two spectacular performances, but back-to-back wins over newly promoted Huddersfield and Heath have delivered 10 points from 10.

Two sides who enjoyed a positive Round Two meet in the North-East as Huddersfield (5th) travel to Darlington Mowden Park (6th).

Seven points from their first two games represents an encouraging return for Huddersfield, who were denied victory by Hull Ionians at the death before beating Sheffield Tigers 42-36 to get off the mark last time out.

As for DMP, they may still be on cloud nine after their scintillating, attacking display against Tynedale.

Heath (12th) remain winless but have been competitive in their opening two matches. Chris Johnson’s newly promoted side travel to Sheffield Tigers (11th) on Saturday, who are also searching for their first victory.

At Cross Green, Otley (7th) host Chester (8th) after getting their campaign up and running with a 37-29 win at local rivals Wharfedale in Round Two.

In their last eight meetings, Otley have not lost to Chester on home soil – a sequence which stretches back to November 2013.

And finally, Billingham (13th) take on Wharfedale (14th) at Greenwood Road, with both clubs looking for their first victories of the season.

National Two East

After three consecutive defeats to begin last season, Guernsey Raiders (2nd) could hardly have wished for a better start to 2026/27.

A solid away win at Leicester Lions was followed by a 36-19 derby day victory at Jersey, sending Jordan Reynolds’ side back to Footes Lane with plenty of confidence ahead of their first home game of the campaign.

Their visitors are Henley (7th), who will arrive with good vibes of their own after Ollie Snook’s last-minute drop goal secured a 30-29 victory over London Welsh in Round Two.

Luke Allen’s side once again showed their character at Dry Leas and will now head to Guernsey hoping to draw inspiration from last season’s 57-19 win on the island.

The other unbeaten teams in National Two East are Oundle (1st) and Old Albanian (3rd).

Oundle have collected maximum points largely thanks to two second-half surges, and will know there is still plenty of room for improvement ahead of their visit to Havant (11th).

Esher and Leicester Lions both pushed last year’s runners-up hard, perhaps giving Havant a body of evidence to work from as they look to return to winning ways.

Home form could prove important at Hooks Lane. Havant have won seven of their eight home games in the calendar year, with Oundle the only side to beat them in that time.

As for Old Albanian, Saturday presents an opportunity to put one over Westcombe Park (10th) while maintaining their perfect start.

OAs survived another close contest last weekend, edging Barnes 32-26 thanks to a fightback and a demanding defensive effort. It followed a similarly hard-fought win over Canterbury on the opening weekend.

Westcombe Park, however, won both meetings between the sides last season. Their 52-31 victory at Goddington Dene in April effectively ended OAs’ title challenge and after their loss at Colchester in Round Two, ‘Combe will be keen for a reaction in front of their home crowd.

Canterbury (4th) and Esher (8th) meet at The Marine Travel Ground in Round Three, with both clubs having claimed their first wins of the campaign last weekend.

Canterbury produced an impressive all-round performance to beat Dorking 38-15 away from home, while Esher scored eight tries in their victory over Havant.

Elsewhere, Barnes (5th) and London Welsh (6th) will attempt to recover from agonising defeats. Barnes were adjudged to have been held up in the final play of the game against Old Albanian, while Welsh suffered last-minute heartbreak at Henley.

Barnes return home to face Dorking (13th), while London Welsh host Colchester (9th) in their first game of the season at Old Deer Park.

Newly promoted Colchester got off the mark last weekend with an impressive 40-12 victory over Westcombe Park.

And lastly, Leicester Lions (14th) and new boys Jersey (12th) meet in the Midlands, with both sides still waiting for their first win.

National Two West

Newly promoted sides can often be unknown quantities at the beginning of a season, but Redruth (1st) haven’t bought into that narrative.

The Reds have dealt ruthlessly with their opening fixtures against newcomers Bournville and Devonport Services, scoring 19 tries in the process.

Their 68-33 victory at Devonport  Services last weekend highlighted their variety in attack, and Richie Kevern’s side now return home to face Barnstaple (8th), who lost 24-12 against Taunton last time out.

Clifton (2nd) are the only other side in National Two West to have registered two bonus-point victories from their opening two matches, although they were pushed hard by Old Redcliffians last weekend.

Tries from Dylan Power and impressive back-row Jack Grundy helped the Lavender and Blacks over the line in the final quarter.

Paul Fincken and Luke Cozens’ side now travel to Hornets (6th), who opened their account for 2026/27 with an eight-try, 54-36 victory at Exeter University in Round Two.

Back at The Nest, Hornets will be keen to put their opening-day 27-24 defeat to Old Redcliffians behind them.

Luctonians (3rd) and Taunton (4th) have also won both of their opening fixtures, continuing the form that saw both clubs finish in the top four last season.

Luctonians have certainly caught the eye over the last fortnight. An excellent win at Hinckley was followed by a dominant 47-0 victory over Cinderford, with Rob Lewis and George Thomas’ squad showing their strengths.

This Saturday, Lucs travel to Old Redcliffians (7th), while Taunton visit Exeter University (11th), who are once again at home but are still awaiting their first victory.

The last part of that sentence also applies to newly promoted Devonport Services (14th), who have endured a tough return to Level 4.

A 53-17 defeat to Taunton was followed by their heavy loss against Redruth, although Ben Russell’s side have shown enough in both matches to suggest they have plenty of fight.

They now travel to Lymm (5th), who produced a stirring comeback in Round Two.

Andy Davies’ side trailed Bournville 24-0 before recovering and leaving Avery Fields with two bonus points in a 43-38 defeat – a commendable turnaround given their position after half an hour.

Bournville (10th), meanwhile, can take confidence from their first win since returning to National Two West.

The Chocos rediscovered their composure after Lymm’s fightback to secure victory. Their next challenge is another side with a win behind them, as they visit Hinckley (9th).

Hinckley’s victims in Round Two were Loughborough Students (12th), and the African Violet now take their search for a first win to Cinderford (13th), who will also be hoping a maiden victory isn’t too far away.

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