National League Rugby Preview: Crucial contests for survival bids as promotion contenders look to take another step
Preston Grasshoppers will be eyeing a key victory over Scunthorpe in National Two North
©Mick Craig
As January turns to February, focus sharpens at both ends of the table, with Round 18 featuring key clashes, especially among those sides battling to beat the drop.
National One
While the National One title race continues to gather pace, the battle at the foot of the table is entering a decisive phase.
Over the next month, the survival picture could change dramatically, with several key clashes scheduled between now and the end of February.
Leeds Tykes (13th) begin a crucial run of fixtures by travelling to Clifton (10th), the first of three important away games in their next four outings.
The Tykes also visit Sedgley Park (9th) and relegation rivals Leicester Lions (14th), with a home clash against Bishop’s Stortford (8th) making it a key period for Pete Seabourne and Pete Lucock’s charges.
Leeds’ first win of the campaign came against Clifton back in October, but their trip to Station Road could be a challenging one.
Although the Lavender and Blacks were humbled 57-0 at Sale FC last time out, they have won three of their last five home games and currently sit outside the relegation zone by virtue of their superior win record.
With three successive away fixtures to follow, a victory over Leeds could be vital for Clifton’s survival hopes.
Leeds remain seven points adrift of safety, while bottom side Leicester Lions (14th) are 17 points off survival and running out of time.
In Round 18, they entertain Sedgley Park (9th). Last weekend, the Tigers boosted their own survival bid by climbing out of the relegation places following a 30-14 win over Bishop’s Stortford.
With the bottom three all to play in the coming weeks, opportunity knocks for Scott Barrow’s side, who are just one point above the drop zone.
Also hovering above the dotted line are Birmingham Moseley (11th), who picked up three valuable points in a 27-27 draw with Tonbridge Juddians in Round 17.
Moseley return to Billesley Common this weekend to face Rams (6th), starting a run of five consecutive fixtures against top-six opposition.
Dings Crusaders (12th) enter a similarly tough spell, beginning with the visit of league leaders Plymouth Albion (1st).
The Bristolians sit in the final relegation spot and know a positive result at Shaftesbury Park could shake up the lower reaches of the table.
However, despite beating Albion 46-29 in this fixture last season, repeating that feat will be difficult against a Plymouth side who have the bit between their teeth.
Ryan Lamb’s troops have won their last eight matches and hold a four-point lead over second-placed Rotherham Titans (2nd), who also face a tricky away assignment this weekend.
The Titans, who have a game in hand, travel to Rosslyn Park (5th) in arguably the standout tie in the top half.
Despite suffering a heavy defeat at Plymouth in Round 17, Park come into this one having beaten third-placed Blackheath in their most recent outing at The Rock.
Whether the hosts can use their 4G surface to impose their game on Rotherham remains to be seen, but all the ingredients are there for a compelling contest in the capital.
Elsewhere, Blackheath (3rd), who trail Rotherham by three points, travel to Tonbridge Juddians (7th), while Sale FC (4th) will look to maintain their momentum at Bishop’s Stortford (8th).
‘The Dogs’ have won eight of their last nine matches to remain firmly in the promotion conversation, while Stortford boss Tom Coleman will be demanding a response following last weekend’s defeat to Sedgley Park.
National Two North
Thus far in January, our National Two North previews have focused on developments towards the bottom of the division, which may have left supporters of leaders Sheffield (1st) wondering why the spotlight has been elsewhere.
If they were thinking that, they would be justified, as Anthony Posa’s side have won all 15 of their matches and have dropped just a single point along the way.
The Steel City outfit hold a four-point lead at the summit - with a game in hand - and will look to carry their phenomenal run into February when they host Fylde (6th) this weekend.
The stats suggest Fylde have been more productive on the road this season - six of their nine wins have come away from Woodlands - but a trip to Abbeydale Park represents a very tough assignment, with Sheffield having lost just once in their last 31 home matches.
It could also be a special afternoon for National Two North’s leading try-scorer Christian Hooper, who is closing in on a record 100th try on his 100th appearance for Sheffield.
Below Sheffield sit Macclesfield (2nd) and Tynedale (3rd), both of whom are enjoying excellent runs of form.
Tynedale have won their last five matches, keeping them firmly in the slipstream of Macclesfield as January gives way to February.
The North-East side welcome Hull Ionians (5th) to Tynedale Park this weekend, with the visitors having ended Tyne’s previous five-game winning streak courtesy of a 35-19 victory back in Round Six.
Macclesfield, meanwhile, are chasing a ninth consecutive bonus-point win when they host Hull (12th) at Priory Park.
The Blues have done everything in their power to make second place their own and will be favourites to extend their superb run.
Hull arrive in Cheshire having begun 2026 by boosting their survival hopes, but last weekend’s 35-24 defeat at Billingham was a bump in the road and leaves them seven points clear of the drop zone.
Currently occupying the relegation places are Scunthorpe (14th) and Rossendale (13th).
Rossendale travel to Wharfedale (7th) this weekend, with the hosts having won their last three home fixtures, while Scunthorpe vs Preston Grasshoppers (11th) has been postponed.
Elsewhere, Billingham (9th) and Otley (10th) meet in Round 18, after both sides recorded morale-boosting home wins last time out.
The pair clash at Cross Green, aiming to distance themselves further from any relegation concerns.
And Sheffield Tigers (8th) - who continue to edge towards the top half - travel to Darlington Mowden Park (4th), a side who have won just one of their last five matches.
National Two East
If Old Albanian (1st) are to go on and claim the National Two East title, they will know they have been tested at every turn.
The division continues to grow in competitiveness, and perhaps OAs’ January best encapsulates that, with three hard-fought victories to begin 2026.
James Osborn and Dan George’s side have added to the two bonus-point wins they secured just before Christmas and head into Round 18 in search of a sixth successive maximum.
They entertain Dorking (5th), who, in contrast to the table-toppers, have endured a difficult start to the year.
Armand Roux’s side are yet to visit the winners’ lounge in January and with back-to-back fixtures against the league’s top two, things don't get any easier.
For OAs, another victory would provide further momentum ahead of mouth-watering February which begins with trips to Canterbury (4th) and second-placed Oundle.
Speaking of Oundle (2nd), before they face Old Albanian, they will look to extend their unbeaten run to 10 matches when they host second-from-bottom Henley (13th), whose spirit has been impossible to fault this month.
Luke Allen’s side have pushed both Old Albanian and Canterbury close whilst also earning a draw away at Dorking, which leaves them just two points adrift of 12th-placed Sevenoaks.
Henley were also minutes away from beating Oundle back in Round Six, only for Shay Kerry’s late try to deny them, so they may take confidence from knowing they can trouble the promotion contenders.
Hot on the heels of the top two are Bury St Edmunds (3rd), who sit three points behind Oundle ahead of their trip to Westcombe Park (7th).
There seems to be a feel-good factor around James Shanahan’s side, who have suffered just one defeat in their last 11 outings, and this week they also welcomed back last season’s leading try scorer, Alex Earnshaw, on loan from Blackheath.
Two of the division’s in-form sides meet in Round 18 as Havant (9th) take on Canterbury (4th) at Hooks Lane.
The hosts have recorded four successive bonus-point victories, which has brightened the outlook for Rob Matthews and Will Knight’s men.
However, their purple patch will be tested on Saturday as Canterbury arrive in Hampshire seeking a ninth consecutive win.
Following their efficient 40-7 victory over Dorking last time out, the City Men declared themselves ‘firmly in the conversation as title contenders’ on social media.
They currently sit 11 points behind Old Albanian, but with momentum on their side, they may well carry this form into February.
Towards the bottom, Sevenoaks (12th) continue to hover just above the relegation zone after four successive defeats.
Adam Bowman’s side will be seeking a timely lift when they host London Welsh (8th), who arrive on the back of consecutive victories.
Guernsey Raiders (10th) created a 12-point cushion over the bottom two with a welcome win against Oxford Harlequins last time out and now travel to Esher (11th), who will be eager to end a winless January.
And finally, bottom-of-the-table Oxford Harlequins (14th) welcome sixth-placed Barnes to the Horspath Sports Ground.
National Two West
It's another key weekend near the foot of the National Two West table.
With Redruth (10th) vs Exeter University (12th) postponed, table rivals Loughborough Students (13th) and Old Redcliffians (11th) will look to capitalise when the pair meet in the Midlands.
Loughborough’s survival hopes were dented after a defeat to bottom club Syston last time out, but home comforts could again prove crucial, with all four of their victories this season coming on their own patch.
Old Redcliffians, by contrast, have edged away from danger following back-to-back wins over Chester and Redruth.
Dan Cox’s side sit 10 points clear of Loughborough, and another success to close out January would further strengthen their position.
With teams above them meeting this weekend, bottom-of-the-table Syston (14th) face a daunting trip to league leaders Camborne (1st).
The Cherry and Whites boast an eight-point cushion at the summit and are riding a seven-game winning streak, with their title challenge gathering momentum.
Also, on paper, their upcoming fixtures look favourable when compared to nearest challengers Luctonians (2nd).
While Camborne face three of the bottom four sides between now and Round 21, Lucs host Taunton (5th) and Cinderford (6th) and also travel to third-placed Barnstaple.
First up for Rob Lewis and George Thomas’ side is the visit of Taunton, who have endured a challenging week off the field.
Storm Chandra caused significant flooding at Summerfield Stadium, leaving their pitch underwater and the clubhouse badly damaged.
In response, the club launched a JustGiving page after revealing losses of around £10,000 in revenue and £9,000 in repair costs.
Thanks to strong support from the local community and the wider rugby family, over £26,000 has been raised, allowing restoration work to begin.
On the field, Taunton will aim to put a difficult few days behind them as they chase a fourth successive victory.
Third-placed Barnstaple, meanwhile, travel to Cinderford (6th) looking to end a tough run of January fixtures on a positive note, particularly with Hinckley (4th) closing in on the bronze medal position.
Hinckley continue to make solid progress and are on the road this weekend at Lymm (8th), while Chester (9th) and Hornets (7th) will both be targeting a return to winning ways in what promises to be an entertaining encounter at Hare Lane.
Make sure you follow National League Rugby on social media!
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | Threads
