The third tier of English rugby is one of the most competitive divisions in the country. With the NCA Rugby league only offering one promotion place, the race for a spot in the GreeneKing IPA Championship is always an important one and with some of the players in his league having professional experience under their belts, there is no shortage of quality.
Before Storm Dennis last weekend, we had a much lighter weekend of fixtures.
Despite the dire weather, there were still 12 games that did take place over the weekend, so let’s take a look at what happened in the National Leagues this weekend.
Last weekend was interrupted by storm Ciara, but this week it is the turn of storm Dennis to cause some menace across the country this weekend.
The National Leagues have a strong history of helping players take their next steps in the sport.
There were many sporting fixtures which fell foul to Storm Ciara over the course of the weekend, but thankfully, the National Leagues weren’t affected.
Once again, it is another weekend to look forward to in the National Leagues, with stories at both ends of the table likely to change over the course of Round 22.
Rams RFC’s challenge for top spot in National One suffered a setback in Round 21 as they were beaten by an impressive Blackheath outfit.
We have arrived at the final 10 games of the season (for the majority of clubs) and across all three leagues, there are stories still waiting to be written.
In just over a weeks’ time, Sale Sharks will be kicking off against Saracens in the Premiership Rugby Cup semi-finals.
Rosslyn Park’s National One promotion hopes were dented in Round 20 after they lost to Plymouth Albion.
.jpg "Henley Hawks could take a huge step towards promotion from National Two South this weekend")
This National League season refuses to be dull. All three divisions continue to write their own headlines and as the final stretch moves into vision, there is still a lot to play for.
Round 19 in the National Leagues was billed as one of the most exciting weekends of the season and Saturday certainly didn’t disappoint.
This is a good time to be following the National Leagues and Round 19 is full of sub-plots which will change the dynamic at both ends of the respective tables.
Rams RFC maintained their title challenge in National One in Round 18, but Richmond were able to return to the summit.
One of London Irish’s newest recruits, James Stokes, chatted to Talking Rugby Union about his rise to the Gallagher Premiership via the National Leagues.
Swat away those January blues and settle in for one of the most exciting weekends of National League rugby so far this season.
The leading trio in National One made no mistake on the opening weekend of 2020 as Rosslyn Park, Rams RFC and Richmond all secured victories.
Happy New Year to everyone and welcome to the start of a fresh decade in the National Leagues. We preview the action from Round 17 across all three divisions.
With it being the final round of fixtures before the festive break, we have decided to deliver a more condensed review from Round 16 in the National Leagues which included some monumental scorelines and results.
As the Sky Sports advert goes: “Christmas is a time to play a friendly game or two”, but in the National Leagues, there will be no early gifts.
Rotherham Titans have sparked their survival hopes back into life following a last-gasp win over rivals Canterbury in Round 15.
And just like that, the 2019/20 National League campaign has reached its halfway mark. Four months have flown by, but the drama and thrilling action has not wavered.
Canterbury recorded their first win of the National One season as they defeated Cinderford at the Marine Travel Ground.
A winding down period before Christmas couldn’t be further from the truth across the National Leagues.
The top two in National One both fell to late and dramatic defeats in Round 13 as the title race was blown wide open on the weekend.
The Christmas decorations are starting to get unpacked and Shakin’ Stevens seems to be constantly on the radio as the final weekend of November is upon us.
England World Cup star Tom Curry chats to TRU about the important role National League rugby can play when it comes to improving players.
It has been a tough few weeks for the Premiership and European champions, but Saracens' young players have continued to display their talent and it is nothing new.
Richmond slipped to their second defeat in a row and their loss against Sale FC means Rosslyn Park are now the new leaders in National One.
The National League train rolls into Round 12 this weekend and as we edge closer to the midway point of the campaign, the big fixtures are beginning to come thick and fast.
National One table toppers Richmond saw their lead at the summit cut to just four points after losing to local rivals Rosslyn Park.
For the first time this season, European rugby hits our calendars this weekend, but two regions in England will also be hosting some heavyweight battles in the National Leagues.
Richmond were able to stretch their lead at the top of National One after a sparkling bonus-point win against Canterbury.
It has been a week where we have seen the Rugby World Cup come to an end, but never fear, the National Leagues are on hand once again to provide you with your rugby fix.
One half of the Hairy Handlebars, George Cullen, reflects on a remarkable 8,700-mile bike ride to the Rugby World Cup, where they raised over £33,000 for the charities such as Movember.
.jpg "Hull Ionians stopped the rot in National One")
Hull Ionians halted a run of seven straight defeats in National One as they shared the spoils with Rotherham Titans in Round Nine.
.jpg "Third-placed Darlington Mowden Park host Rosslyn Park (2nd) in National One")
There is the small matter of England competing in a World Cup final to look forward to on Saturday, but make no mistake, another fascinating weekend of National League action should also whet the appetite.
Rams RFC missed the chance to stay in touch with league leaders Richmond as they suffered a second defeat on the bounce.
Round Seven in National One contained some eye-catching results as some of the leading sides fell to defeats.