National 2, the fourth tier of English rugby, is split into two opposing leagues –National Two North and National Two South - with the standard of each exceptionally high. Many of the top clubs could easily compete in National 1. The budgets and crowds are not as large, but the spectacle for fans is excellent.
Talking Rugby Union brings you all of the results and reaction from the leagues, with highlighted match reports and features for big games plus we are also partnered with the NCA.
Chris Heal speaks to several people involved in community rugby as the situation around the lower levels of the game continues to be discussed.
NCA Chairman John Inverdale has provided an update on a return to rugby as a 'cup competition' is proposed for levels 3 and 4.
With a second lockdown starting on Thursday, haleys have outlined the reliefs being offered by the Government during this period.
In a week when the finale of the delayed Six Nations puts rugby firmly back in the spotlight, NCA clubs are understandably still concerned about how the game may be restarted at levels 3 and 4.
It is a very difficult time for rugby union in England as the sport waits to see what help it will get to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
The National League season will not start before January 2021 at the earilest following the increased uncertainty caused by the Government’s additional restrictions.
With many businesses, including rugby clubs, still able to receive financial aid from the government, haleys explain how CBILS work ahead of their deadline.
RFU Development Director Steve Grainger has said the return of National League rugby effectively relies on two key elements.
Gallagher ambassador Ugo Monye chatted exclusively to TRU about the importance of grassroots rugby.
The Rugby Football Union have confirmed the 2020/21 National League season will not begin next month.
Sir Bill Beaumont says National League and community rugby is the ‘DNA’ of the sport and he also hopes everyone can pull together during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The RFU's discussions with the Department of Digital, Culture and Media and Sport and Sport England have continued about a return to play, which of course include the National Leagues.
Next year's County Championship has been cancelled by the RFU and will now not return until 2022, according to BBC Sport.
.jpg "Bill Sweeney became CEO of the RFU just over a year ago")
In the latest edition of NCA Chats, Bill Sweeney, CEO of the Rugby Football Union, spoke to Joe Harvey and Chris Heal about the community game.
At the end of last week, the RFU, published adapted community competition plans for adult and age grade rugby in the 2020/21 season.
John Inverdale has expressed his desire to broaden the appeal of the National Leagues after becoming the National Clubs Association’s (NCA) new chairman.
There are many different issues lingering over rugby at the moment in terms of what the immediate future holds for the sport and the community game is still in the dark about when they might return.
When Huddersfield RUFC unveiled Andre Snyman as their backs and skills coach, the former South Africa international coined himself as an ‘adopted Yorkshireman’.
The destination of each National League club has been confirmed for the 2020/21 season and for a fourth year in a row, a Midlands team will enter National Two South.
The 2019/20 National League season came to an early conclusion this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has currently left sport at a standstill in the UK.
The RFU have confirmed the final league tables for the 2019/20 National League season following the early conclusion to the campaign.
The Covid-19 pandemic has, and will continue to, hit local clubs hard and the RFU have begun shaping the future at the lower levels of the game.
Following the early end of the rugby season in England, the RFU have confirmed the final league positions for the Championship, Tyrrells Premier 15s and community game.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there have been a number of measures put in place to protect our vital cash flow which will have impacted a lot of people, including the rugby community.
Loughborough's season of celebration has hardly ended in the way that they imagined due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Joe Harvey has looked into what makes the institution so successful.
Today, in a letter to the rugby clubs in England, Bill Sweeney, RFU CEO, has confirmed the end of the 2019/20 season for all league, cup and county rugby in England with the exception of the Premiership.
Ten National League fixtures did take place on the weekend and they did have an impact on all three divisions as we, hopefully, approach the final five matches of the season.
Whilst sporting events across the world are being suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak, the National Leagues continue this weekend and it is set to be a significant Saturday.
Round 25 in the National Leagues saw title battles continue and champions crowned as the final furlongs of a gripping season come into view.
Another National League season is entering its final knockings and once again, it has been a term to savour. TRU previews Round 25 across both National One and National Two.
Despite the eternal optimism of the preview on Friday, there were in fact four NCA fixtures postponed over the weekend.
So, back to reality. Hopefully. After two weeks of disruption across the National Leagues, we are back to a full fixtures list.
After so many disruptions because of the weather, the fallow weekend of rearranged fixtures was also interrupted by the conditions.
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.
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.
Caldy opened up a 17-point lead at the top of National Two North following a comfortable victory over Otley in Round 21.