NLR Preview: More battles towards top while search form goes into Round Six
National One league leaders Plymouth Albion have been perfect so far - with five bonus point wins from five
©Gareth Lyons
Just five weeks in, it might be a bit too early to be paying attention to league tables, but the opening standings are providing some exciting storylines as we enter Round Six.
National One
Beginning our look ahead to Round Six with Plymouth Albion (1st) feels justified.
Records tumbled at Brickfields last Saturday as the early pace-setters registered a staggering 102-0 victory over a struggling Cambridge side.
Most points scored, biggest winning margin and most tries scored in a single game were among the club records Albion could celebrate after a ruthless Round Five display.
The leaders have also secured a try bonus-point before half-time in every game this season but, as six-try hero Noah Fenton pointed out last week, the clean sheet against Cambridge was just as valuable.
Ryan Lamb’s side have conceded just 57 points and are yet to concede a bonus-point. That defensive record is hugely impressive, but it could be about to face its sternest test yet.
Plymouth travel to third-placed Sale FC on Saturday, a fixture live on ClubberTV, and the hosts have shown plenty of attacking intent and tempo across the opening month and a half.
Last Friday’s gritty 21-17 win over Leeds Tykes might not be the best example, but Jonathan Keep’s side certainly have weapons in their armoury to cause Plymouth problems.
Albion, meanwhile, will be keen to avenge last April's 29-26 defeat in the North-West. That result effectively ended their title challenge and saw them surrender second place to Blackheath. This time around, though, there is a sense of steely determination about Plymouth, and it appears to be growing stronger by the week.
Second-placed Tonbridge Juddians (2nd) will be keeping a close eye on events at the Morson Stadium as they travel to Bishop’s Stortford (5th).
Jordan Turner-Hall’s side edged another absorbing contest in Round Five, with Connor Lloyd’s tap penalty and dart to the line sealing a 41-38 win over Dings Crusaders.
TJs have scored 32 tries this season and conceded 31. That tells its own story about their eventful start, while Stortford have hardly been short of entertainment themselves. The hosts will be looking for greater accuracy in key areas after their 31-21 defeat against Bury St Edmunds last time out.
Sitting behind the top three are Camborne (4th), who continue to look increasingly at home in National One.
The Cherry and Whites had to work hard for last week’s 38-26 win over London Scottish. This Saturday, they visit a wounded Cambridge (14th) side in search of a response at Ellgia Fields.
Five defeats from five was a difficult enough start. The 102-0 loss at Plymouth in Round Five only added to the concern, prompting a statement from the Cambridge board on Thursday acknowledging disappointment among ‘members, supporters and others across the club’.
The board shared that disappointment but also made clear it wanted to see an improvement in performance and competitiveness from Craig Newby’s side, while recognising the challenges facing the squad.
Cambridge were without 11 senior players for their trip to Plymouth. Speaking to BBC Radio Cambridge’s Steve Jackson, Newby said he hoped two or three more established names would return for this Saturday.
The head coach wants to see ‘a real shift in performance in some key areas’, including the line-out, tackle completion and unforced errors. For the Blood and Sand, putting a difficult seven days behind them is the immediate priority.
Dropping down to National One has not been any easier for London Scottish (13th), who head into the weekend on the back of four straight defeats.
Joe Gray’s men showed signs of improvement against Camborne, but their indiscipline proved to be their downfall. They will now look to end their run of defeats when Sheffield (12th) make a second trip to the capital in as many weeks.
Anthony Posa’s charges lost 40-24 at Rosslyn Park in Round Five, but despite having just one win to their name, the newly promoted side have shown resilience, not least by securing another try bonus-point at The Rock.
A victory for either side would provide a welcome shot in the arm.
Elsewhere, Bury St Edmunds (10th) visit Rams (11th) for the sides’ first meeting since the 2018-19 National Two South season, with the visitors arriving in Berkshire in good spirits.
Despite receiving two yellow cards in the first half, James Shanahan’s side dug in defensively to secure a 31-21 win over Bishop’s Stortford. Now Bury will be looking for their second away victory of the campaign.
Rams, meanwhile, are still trying to find the right formula with a new group of players. A second win of the season at Old Bath Road, though, would be a timely boost.
Birmingham Moseley (6th) will look to build on last week’s excellent win over Rams when they welcome Rosslyn Park (8th) to the Midlands, while Leeds Tykes (7th) head to Bristol to face Dings Crusaders (9th).
National Two North
Labelling a match as a ‘big game’ with the season still in its relatively early stages can invite a little ribbing, but Hull Ionians’ (2nd) visit to Chester (4th) looks like it could be a serious test for the second-placed I’s.
In truth, Maliq Holden’s side have already faced some stern examinations. They won late on against Huddersfield on the opening day, came from behind against Fylde and were pegged back by Wharfedale last weekend before finding another gear to win 32-22.
All of that has translated into five bonus-point wins from five. Chester, though, will look to put some pressure on that record, sitting just five points off the pace after winning four of their opening five games.
Rhys Hayes’ side fought back from 26-12 down to win 31-26 at Preston last time out, and if the Cheshire outfit can end Hull Ionians’ superb start at Hare Lane, talk of a top-two spot may begin to grow louder.
Watching with interest will be table-toppers Sedgley Park (1st), who cut loose in Round Five after dismantling Otley the previous week.
Scott Barrow’s men scored 14 tries, seven of them in the final quarter, as they swept Huddersfield aside in a 92-7 victory. Next up, Sedge travel to Billingham (8th) with serious momentum behind them.
Their North-East hosts have reason to be cheerful, too. Billingham secured an important 43-31 win over Otley last time out, with Peter Evans and Dan Finney’s side pulling clear in the second half.
After their second win of the season, Evans told the club’s channels they have ‘nothing to lose’ against Sedgley Park at Greenwood Road. The Tigers should expect a willing challenge as Billingham look to make home advantage count.
As for Otley (12th), they return to Cross Green searching for a positive response. The Beavers may have their heads down after shipping 161 points and 25 tries in their last three matches, but their young side will be determined to get back to winning ways, starting with Saturday’s visit of Preston Grasshoppers (5th).
If Otley are searching for a morale-boosting victory, Sheffield Tigers (14th) could certainly do with one of their own.
A converted try in the 78th minute condemned them to a 28-27 home defeat against Harrogate in Round Five. Of their five narrow losses, this one might have been the hardest to swallow.
The next chance to open their account in 2026-27 comes on Saturday away at Wharfedale (11th), who appear to have taken positive steps over the past fortnight.
There is also a tasty Yorkshire derby on the Round Six menu, with newly promoted Heath (10th) hosting Huddersfield (13th) at North Dene.
Separated by approximately 7.5 miles, the sides last met in March 2025, when both were chasing the Regional 1 North East title alongside eventual winners Scunthorpe.
Both games went Huddersfield’s way that season, and Callum Thompson will hope his injury-hit side can dust themselves down and repeat the trick after a bruising afternoon at Sedgley.
Elsewhere, third-placed Darlington Mowden Park (3rd) will look to maintain their momentum away at an impressive Harrogate (6th), while Tynedale (7th) travel to Woodlands to face Fylde (9th).
National Two East
Heading into Round Six, there is a growing sense of togetherness and confidence about Guernsey (2nd).
Their thrilling 35-26 victory over Old Albanian last weekend perhaps captures this best. Both sides had won their opening four games with a bonus point, but Guernsey found themselves down to 13 men as their lead was cut to 28-26.
Jordan Reynolds’ side had to dig deep, and the Raiders responded as Matt Armstrong scored the decisive try six minutes from time to preserve Guernsey’s perfect start to the season.
There will have been little time to bask in the achievement, though. Guernsey’s remaining October fixtures all come against sides in the current top five, beginning with a trip to an in-form Dorking (5th).
The Raiders lost both meetings with Dorking last season, while the hosts come into this one on the back of three straight wins. Their latest was a solid 33-10 victory at London Welsh.
Both sides are in a good moment. The question is which will be celebrating at The Big Field come full-time?
Alongside Guernsey, Oundle (1st) are the only other team in the division yet to taste defeat. Aly Kachra and Gareth Collins’ side return to Occupation Road this weekend to face Westcombe Park (13th).
In Round Five, Oundle once again produced a powerful second-half display, scoring 22 unanswered points after the break to beat Barnes 41-21.
Westcombe Park experienced the other side of that spectrum. They led Esher 24-12 at half-time before seeing their advantage slip away in a 43-37 home defeat.
Old Albanian (3rd) saw their 100 per cent start come to an end in Round Five, so they will be keen to get back on track when they host Jersey (11th) in the early kick-off this weekend.
Last Saturday, the visitors claimed their first win back at Level Four, with former Premiership player Guy Thompson scoring a hat-trick in a 43-36 victory over Colchester.
After drawing 31-31 at Henley and now securing their first victory, Jersey will hope to keep building in St Albans.
London Welsh (10th), Barnes (12th) and Leicester Lions (14th) will also be looking to generate some momentum.
All three have found this opening block difficult, and Welsh face another stern test when they travel to an in-form Esher (4th).
A new-look Exiles side will take on an EEEs outfit riding a four-match winning run. Esher sit just four points off the top and have a trip to Guernsey to come next week, so two more strong results could leave Mike Brown and Liam Slatem's side in a very healthy position heading into the second block of the campaign.
Barnes, meanwhile, will roll up their sleeves and go again at Havant (9th).
They went scoreless in the second half against Oundle last week, but Jack Heald’s side gave the leaders plenty to think about after taking a 21-19 lead into the break. They will look to carry those positives into Saturday’s trip to Hooks Lane.
Leicester Lions are also on the road, visiting Canterbury (7th), who secured their first home win of the season against Havant last time out.
Young fly-half Owain Collins, named National Two East Player of the Week, was among those to impress, while hat-trick hero Garry Jones also made his mark.
Last but not least, sixth-placed Henley (6th) will hope to continue their steady climb up the table. Buoyed by a pleasing 33-3 win at Leicester Lions in Round Five, they are on their travels again to face Colchester (8th).
National Two West
As the temperatures begin to slowly drop, National Two West is starting to heat up nicely.
Five rounds in, just four points separate an intriguing top six, with another tasty contest on the running order this weekend.
Once again, Taunton (4th) are involved. Their winning start was halted by early table rivals and league leaders Redruth last time out, as a 36-31 defeat meant Tony Yapp’s side left Cornwall with two bonus points.
They now return to Summerfield Stadium looking to bounce back at the first attempt. That will be easier said than done against a Lymm (3rd) side who have gone about their business impressively in the opening few weeks.
Four wins from five leaves Andy Davies’ troops on the coattails of the top two, but Lymm know their fixtures will only get tougher from here. Round Seven’s home clash with Redruth is one of the tests on the horizon.
Taunton have lost just once at home in their last 11 games, a run stretching back to last October. The only side to beat them in that time? Lymm, who also did the double over the Titans in 2025/26.
Redruth (1st) are currently the side out in front, and last weekend’s victory over Taunton was another positive step for Richie Kevern’s side.
It also reinforced the strength of the Reds this season. They appear to have found the consistency (five wins from five) that eluded them last term, and Saturday’s opponents Hornets (9th) would welcome a bit of that positive consistency themselves.
Narrow defeats have been the main theme for Jon Richardson and Jack Gadd’s side. They were squeezed out by Luctonians 29-22 in Round Five and now face a team in the current top six for the third week running.
Second-placed Luctonians (2nd) are level on points with Redruth and take their winning run to Loughborough Students (10th) in Round Six.
The application shown by Lucs so far has been impressive, particularly in away wins over Hinckley, Old Redcliffians and, most recently, Hornets.
That leaves Loughborough with a sizeable challenge. Luctonians’ forward pack are proving to be a handful, and the African Violet will need to contain it if they are to upset the applecart and claim a second win of the season.
Fellow university side Exeter University (14th) welcome Hinckley (5th) to Devon as one of only four sides across National League Rugby yet to find a win.
Gareth Elliott’s troops sit bottom of the standings, already seven points behind 11th-placed Bournville. That is far from disastrous at this stage, but a victory on Saturday would be welcome, even though that will be difficult against a Hinckley side riding a four-match winning streak.
Devonport Services (13th) will be of a similar mindset when they welcome Old Redcliffians (8th) to The Rectory while Barnstaple (12th) have one win to their name and will be looking to double that when they host Cinderford (7th).
Almost exactly a year ago, Barum defated Cinderford 25-23 at Pottington Road. This time, the visitors arrive on a three-match winning streak, though, and will be keen to make it four.
And lastly, Bournville (11th) host Clifton (6th) at Avery Fields, looking to put last week’s disappointment behind them. Three second-half yellow cards proved costly in a 49-36 defeat at Old Redcliffians, so their discipline will need to improve if they are to get back on track.
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