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.
National League Rugby clubs can return to full-contact training from July 19th after the Government confirmed Covid-19 restrictions would be lifted.
Alongside respected host and commentator Warren Muggleton, TRU are behind a brand new subscription highlights show for the 2021/22 season where the clubs will receive 40 per cent of the revenue.
The NCA have changed their name to National League Rugby following an RFU Council meeting at the beginning of the month.
Government has not given permission for scrums and mauls to be re-instated from May 17th following the growing concerns around the Indian variant of Covid-19 in England.
The National Clubs Association have released the fixtures for the 2021-22 season, 14 months after the last campaign was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
.jpg "Tiers three and four in the English rugby pyramid are set to be rebranded in June")
Pending a full meeting of the RFU Council in June, the NCA's name will be changed to National League Rugby.
The RFU Council has agreed changes for a new competition structure in the adult male game from the National Leagues and below.
Talking to TRU's Joe Harvey, Exeter Chiefs’ Jack Nowell discussed his time playing for Redruth and Plymouth Albion.
As club’s prepare to reopen, TRU's Joe Harvey spoke to the RFU’s Rugby Development Director Steve Grainger.
National League clubs could be playing full contact, 15-a-side matches on May 31st, providing there are no upswings in the Covid-19 figures.
There will be no official competitive rugby for the semi-professional game this season, after the NCA agreed to cancel the proposed Cup competition.
With a new lockdown now enforced, the 2020/21 season for National League clubs may pass them by altogether.
The RFU has suspended all community rugby activity until further notice following the government's new national lockdown.
Speaking to Wasps Rugby Head of Recruitment and Academy Kevin Harman, TRU learn about how he and his staff have adapted in order to find their academy players game time during the pandemic.
The Rugby Football Union has voted in favour for a new competition structure for community rugby which will come into effect in the 2022/23 season.
The National Clubs Association have announced the groupings for their cup competition which is set to begin February 2021.
The NCA has announced that the start of the cup competition will be delayed following the Government COVID announcement at the start of December.
Former international hooker Benjamin Kayser hopes the adaptations to the community game are only short-term fixes.
Chris Heal and the Looseheadz team are joined by broadcasting royalty this week as they chatted to John Inverdale about his affiliation with rugby, the importance of mental health and his career in the media.
The NCA has welcomed the news from the Rugby Football Union and Government regarding a return to 15-a-side contact rugby, with some adaptations.
Chris Heal speaks to several people involved in community rugby as the situation around the lower levels of the game continues to be discussed.
Given that there will be no league rugby this season, the Rugby Football Union have put into place a cup competition for National League clubs.
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.
.jpg "Joe Simmonds will lead Exeter Chiefs in Saturday's Champions Cup final at Ashton Gate")
TRU has spoken to some of the the fly-half's former players and coaches about his rise to the top of club rugby as Exeter Chiefs target a double winning season.
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.
In response to recent comments made by Sam Burgess on the House of Rugby Podcast, Jacob Ford feels the criticism fired towards his brother, George, and father, Mike, is “extremely far-fetched.”
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.