April 24, 2026

Round 26 Preview: Promotion, play-offs and survival all on the line as season reaches crescendo

We take a look at what is still to play for on one of the most fascinating final weekends in recent times (Photo credit: Chris Farrow).

National One

“We’re not going to change a thing. We’ll do what we always do and we’ll make sure we don’t take our foot off the gas.”

These words from Harvey Biljon in The Rotherham Advertiser perhaps capture the relentless nature of Rotherham Titans (1st) over the past two-and-a-half years.

When Biljon and former head coach Gareth Lewis arrived at Clifton Lane in October 2023, the Titans had already won their opening seven matches in National Two North.

Rather than disrupting that momentum, the new faces at the helm ensured standards did not slip. 

Rotherham kept their foot on the gas, eventually securing promotion to National One in memorable fashion. Soon after, Lewis stepped away from his role to focus on life beyond the demands of National League Rugby.

Biljon, initially working in a consultancy capacity, stepped up to become Director of Rugby. 

Under his guidance, the Titans quickly adapted to life back in the third tier, emerging as genuine title contenders before ultimately finishing third.

That upward trajectory continued into this season, and Rotherham are now on the verge of a return to Champ Rugby for the first time since 2018. Proof that the foot has remained firmly on the gas.

One point from their final fixture against Sale FC (4th) will more than likely be enough to clinch the title, given their superior points difference over second-placed Blackheath.

But at Clifton Lane – where Rotherham have won 40 of their last 41 matches – they will be determined to seal automatic promotion in style in front of the ClubberTV cameras, and even more importantly, in front of their incredible supporters.

Blackheath (2nd) will know something dramatic will have to unfold in South Yorkshire if they are to swoop in and snatch the title, but do not rule out Sale FC lending a helping hand.

‘The Dogs’ did just that last weekend, ending Plymouth Albion’s hopes of securing top spot with a 29-26 victory.

That result proved significant, as it also aided Blackheath, who moved into second place following their own win over Leeds Tykes.

If the title ultimately goes the way of Rotherham, Tom Stradwick’s side – who host Clifton (11th) live on ClubberTV – will want to ensure they remain in second place to secure home advantage for the National One play-off on May 9th.

Plymouth Albion (3rd), three points behind Blackheath, will be poised to capitalise should ‘Club’ falter when they host Leeds Tykes (9th) on Saturday.

And if Blackheath were to falter, it could also have significant repercussions on the other end of the table.

As mentioned, ‘Club’ take on Clifton, who climbed out of the automatic relegation places last weekend. 

Jack Bennett’s surging late try secured a priceless 42-36 victory over table rivals Birmingham Moseley, lifting the Lavender and Blacks one point clear of the trapdoor.

They still, however, occupy the relegation play-off position and will require Bristol counterparts Dings Crusaders (10th) to collect no more than a single league point if they are to have any chance of moving fully clear of danger. 

Dings host Rosslyn Park (5th), while attention will also turn to Billesley Common where Birmingham Moseley (12th) face Bishop’s Stortford (6th).

Mose sit one point behind Clifton and must secure at least two more league points than their rivals to avoid automatic relegation. 

Gut-wrenching, recent defeats to Leeds Tykes and Clifton have left the historic club with work to do on the final day, so can Adam Balding and Ollie Thomas’ side deliver when it matters most?

Elsewhere, Rams (7th) entertain Sedgley Park (13th), while Tonbridge Juddians (8th) take on Leicester Lions (14th) to bring the campaign to a close.

National Two North and National Two East

Both ends of the table in National Two North and National Two East come under the spotlight on the final day, with promotion, play-off places and relegation to be decided.

In National Two North, Tynedale (2nd) occupy pole position in the race for the play-off spot, sitting three points clear of Macclesfield (3rd).

Avoiding defeat at Wharfedale (7th) would be enough for Peter Southern’s side to extend their season into May, but, despite seven wins from their last eight, that task won’t be straightforward.

Wharfedale have won their last seven matches at The Avenue and most recently ended Sheffield’s hopes of completing an unbeaten campaign, underlining the challenge that awaits Tyne in Yorkshire.

Macclesfield, meanwhile, will hope Wharfedale can maintain their home form as they look to take care of their own business at Sheffield Tigers (8th).

Like Wharfedale, the Tigers have been very strong on home soil. They have lost just once at Dore Moor since October, meaning both play-off contenders face tricky assignments in Round 26.

At the wrong end of the standings, with Hull already relegated, Scunthorpe (13th) are battling to avoid the same fate.

The Greens sit in the final automatic relegation place, four points adrift of the relegation play-off spot but with a game in hand.

That additional fixture comes next weekend away at champions Sheffield, but it could prove irrelevant if Scunthorpe fail to secure a positive result at Darlington Mowden Park (5th) on Saturday.

Rossendale (12th), who sit above Scunthorpe in the relegation play-off position, have their destiny in their own hands. 

Should Scunthorpe fail to win and Rossendale overcome Hull (14th) at home, they would avoid automatic relegation and could yet escape the drop entirely.

That is because they sit just two points behind Otley (11th), who host Sheffield (1st) at Cross Green. 

The champions could still finish the season with a stunning 25 wins from 26 matches, and if they were to edge closer to that statistic, Otley’s survival prospects will depend on results elsewhere.

Also on the final day, Hull Ionians (4th) welcome Fylde (6th) to Brantingham Park, while Preston Grasshoppers (9th), winners of five of their last six, travel to Billingham (10th).

Over in the East, Bury St Edmunds (1st) can secure the title with victory over Old Albanian (3rd), in a match also live on ClubberTV.

Seven successive wins and just one defeat in 15 matches have left the Wolfpack on the verge of a historic promotion to National One in James Shanahan’s first season in charge. 

Shanahan is well accustomed to such achievements, having secured promotion to the third tier on four previous occasions with Cambridge, Old Albanian (twice) and most recently in 2023 with Blackheath.

He will be aiming to do it for a fifth time this weekend against former club, Old Albanian (3rd), who are more than capable of upsetting the league leaders despite fading from the title race in the latter stages of this season.

Oundle (2nd), however, are still in contention for the title.

They are currently two points behind Bury but will need a favour from Old Albanian if they are to snatch top spot. Even if the league crown proves out of reach, Oundle are guaranteed a play-off place.

The Northamptonshire outfit travel to Havant (8th), who, despite a heavy 81-19 defeat to Old Albanian last time out, have lost just once in their last nine matches at Hooks Lane and are one of only four teams to have beaten Oundle this season.

With automatic relegation already confirmed, attention in the lower reaches turns to the relegation play-off place, currently occupied by Henley Hawks (12th).

Luke Allen’s side have enjoyed a resurgence. Five wins from their last seven matches means they have given themselves a genuine chance of survival.

Henley travel to Guernsey (9th) on the final day, while Mike Brown’s Esher (11th), who are one point above the Hawks, visit Sevenoaks (13th), whose relegation was confirmed last week.

London Welsh (10th) are still not safe, either.

Cai Griffiths, who has overseen five promotions since the club’s liquidation in 2016, will step down as Director of Rugby at the end of this season, so his side will be determined to give him the ideal send-off by preserving their National Two status. 

As things stand, Welsh are three points above Henley as they prepare to host Dorking (6th) at the Richmond Athletic Ground.

Elsewhere in the final round, Barnes (4th) travel to Canterbury (5th), while Westcombe Park (7th) face Oxford Harlequins (14th).

National Two West

Champions confirmed. Play-off place confirmed. Automatic relegation confirmed.

That means just one final piece of the puzzle – in the regular season, at least – needs to be slotted into place, and it centres on the relegation play-off spot and two old foes.

It is, in effect, a straight shootout between Exeter University (12th) and Loughborough Students (13th), with the sides currently level on points.

Exeter’s superior number of victories (nine) is all that separates the two sides after Gareth Elliott’s troops secured a crucial 36-24 win away at fifth-placed Hornets last time out.

As a result, if Exeter match Loughborough’s outcome this weekend, they will finish in the relegation play-off spot.

The Devonians entertain Taunton (4th), who they did beat 37-35 on opening night, while Loughborough host Redruth (9th) in the Midlands.

Defeat in Wednesday’s BUCS Super Rugby final against the University of Bath would have been a difficult one for Martin Webdale’s side to absorb, but the African Violet have an immediate opportunity to respond in National League Rugby.

Speaking earlier in the week, Webdale told National League Rugby: “The standard in this league this year has been very high across the board. It goes up every year.

“We find ourselves second from bottom, having to win on Saturday and hope Exeter’s result goes our way.”

Elsewhere, celebrations are set to be in full flow at The Recreation Ground as newly crowned champions Camborne (1st) entertain Chester (10th), while Luctonians (2nd) will use their final outing of the regular season as preparation for the start of the National Two play-offs on May 9th.

Lucs travel to Lymm (11th) on what promises to be an emotional occasion at Crouchley Lane, with club legend Adam Fletcher stepping down as Director of Rugby after 12 years in charge.

Also in Round 26, Hinckley (3rd) and Barnstaple (6th) will look to round off impressive campaigns – at home to Hornets (5th) and away at Old Redcliffians (8th) respectively –  while Cinderford (7th) make the trip to Syston (14th).

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