Round 23 Preview: Title race showdowns take centre stage as remarkable National League run-in heats up
Exeter University are currently embroiled in an almighty scrap towards the bottom of National Two West
©Daniel Rule Photography
Rotherham Titans vs Plymouth Albion and Sheffield vs Tynedale may grab the headlines, but other crucial clashes across National One and National Two will also shape the final month of the season for many teams.
National One
If you’re looking for an exhilarating sporting fix this weekend, look no further than National One.
Expect that to be the case between now and the end of April because the third tier looks set to deliver full throttle, compelling drama right to the final whistle.
In the title race, the last two rounds have been gripping and left us wanting more.
Two huge clashes - Plymouth vs Blackheath and Blackheath vs Rotherham - have both gone the way of Blackheath (3rd), leaving just five points separating the top three.
And this weekend, leaders Rotherham Titans (1st) and Plymouth Albion (2nd) collide at Clifton Lane, live on ClubberTV.
The streaming platform, who have worked alongside Champ Rugby this season, will show all the action from what promises to be an absorbing contest in South Yorkshire.
Rotherham’s 22-15 loss at Blackheath in Round 22 - their only defeat of the calendar year - leaves them one point ahead of Plymouth, who powered to a 60-26 win over Rams last time out.
The Titans remain in control of their own destiny and, on home soil, will be revved up to respond.
They have lost just once at Clifton Lane in three years - 38 wins from their last 39 matches - and with three of their final four games at home, they will hope that formidable record continues if a return to the second tier is to become reality.
Albion, meanwhile, edged a tense reverse fixture 22-21 back in November and have won five of the last seven meetings with Rotherham. Another victory on Saturday would send them top heading into April.
Both sides have been hit by injuries in recent weeks, but this still promises to be a full-blooded, thunderous contest that could shape the destination of the National One title.
Blackheath (3rd) will be watching closely. They have done all they can to force their way further into the title race while also strengthening their chances of a top-three finish.
Victories over Plymouth and Rotherham mean ‘Club’ travel to struggling Sedgley Park (12th) on a six-match winning run, which is ominous for the hosts.
The Tigers have been hampered by injuries, but a run of five straight defeats - four against bottom-half sides - has dragged them into the bottom three.
They sit one point off the relegation play-off spot and three from safety. With a tough run-in ahead, points at Park Lane feel essential if they are to climb clear of danger.
With Leicester Lions (14th) - who travel to Rams (6th) this weekend - already relegated, both Sedgley Park and Clifton (13th) will be desperate to avoid joining them.
For Clifton, however, results feel secondary as the club continues to mourn the passing of Director of Rugby Matt Salter.
The Lavender and Blacks did him proud in Round 22, battling back to secure two bonus points in a 43-40 defeat at Rosslyn Park.
This weekend, they host Dings Crusaders (11th) in a match dedicated to Matt - fittingly a Bristol derby.
Clifton sit three points behind Dings, who climbed out of the bottom three and into the relegation play-off place last weekend with an impressive 62-31 victory over Leeds Tykes (9th).
The Tykes, now five points clear of the drop zone, will be seeking a response - and a vital result - when they host Tonbridge Juddians (8th).
Meanwhile, Birmingham Moseley (10th), who edged out of the relegation play-off spot last week, travel to Sale FC (4th), who still harbour promotion ambitions with games against the top three to come in April.
And finally, Bishop’s Stortford (7th) will target a sixth straight win when they welcome Rosslyn Park (5th) to Silver Leys.
National Two North
Like National One, the headline game in National Two North is another top-of-the-table showdown.
However, while the third-tier title race hangs in the balance, the same might not apply here as Sheffield (1st) prepare to host second-placed Tynedale (2nd).
The league leaders are scaling dizzying heights: 20 games played, 20 wins, and just one point dropped.
The remarkable standards set by Sedgley Park, Rotherham Titans and Leeds Tykes in recent promotion-winning campaigns - losing just four matches combined - are now being eclipsed by Anthony Posa’s side, who hold an eight-point lead with two games in hand.
With Tynedale and then third-placed Macclesfield visiting Abbeydale Park over the next week, a historic title could be wrapped up before April if Sheffield maintain this relentless pace.
Tynedale, though, are the only side to deny the leaders a full five-point haul this season, with the reverse fixture finishing 14-8 to the Steel City outfit.
Securing the play-off spot is Tyne’s priority, and last week’s 36-14 win over Macclesfield has left them firmly in control.
Only one team - Leeds Tykes - has won at Abbeydale Park in the last 32 matches, but if Tynedale can upset the status quo, the title race could spark into life.
Macclesfield (3rd) will have one eye on events in South Yorkshire as they look to close the six-point gap to Tynedale.
The Blues host seventh-placed Wharfedale on the back of six straight bonus-point wins at Priory Park, while their visitors arrive in Cheshire having won three of their last four.
With both Tynedale and Macclesfield still to face Sheffield, Hull Ionians (4th) may feel they are in the play-off hunt.
A dramatic 24-23 win at Sheffield Tigers last time out kept the I’s within 10 points of second place, and another five-pointer at home to Rossendale (12th) this weekend could bring them into contention if other results go their way.
For Rossendale, last week’s 29-24 victory over Billingham could prove crucial in their survival bid.
The Stags moved three points clear of the drop zone and, having taken 13 points from their last five matches, will be eager to build further momentum.
Scunthorpe (13th) slipped into the bottom two at Rossendale’s expense, but have two games in hand over their rivals.
Tony Wilkinson’s side will play one of those matches next weekend against 10th-placed Preston Grasshoppers, but first must focus on picking up a vital result away at Billingham (9th).
At the foot of the table, Hull (14th) sit four points behind Rossendale - who occupy the relegation play-off spot - as they prepare to host Darlington Mowden Park (5th) at the Ferens Ground.
Elsewhere, Otley (11th), who are eight points clear of Rossendale, will be keen to head into April on steadier footing.
Their 29-11 home defeat to Preston last week has kept them looking over their shoulder, so a positive outcome at sixth-placed Fylde could be key.
As for Preston (10th), back-to-back wins over Darlington Mowden Park and Otley have eased any relegation concerns.
Hoppers now welcome Sheffield Tigers (8th) to Lancashire, looking to continue their upward trajectory.
National Two East
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from this National Two East season is just how unpredictable it has been.
From September to March, results have frequently defied the odds, and Round 22 summed it up perfectly.
Leaders Old Albanian (1st) came unstuck at an Esher side that has spent much of the campaign battling near the bottom, leaving OAs’ grip on top spot less than secure.
They will aim to head into the final three games still at the summit as they host relegation-threatened Sevenoaks (13th) this weekend.
But, as we’ve already seen, nothing is guaranteed. Oaks stunned OAs 45-12 back in November, underlining just how open this league can be.
Bury St Edmunds (2nd) moved level on points with Old Albanian after a commanding 69-14 win over Guernsey Raiders last time out.
One defeat in 12 has propelled James Shanahan’s troops firmly into promotion contention, and while momentum appears to be with ‘The Wolfpack’, Bury know what lies ahead.
Three of their final four matches come against top-five opposition, starting with a trip to Barnes (5th) this weekend and ending with a potentially decisive clash at home to OAs.
Barnes, meanwhile, were edged out 48-38 in a pulsating encounter with Havant last time out - their first defeat since Round 17. However, with just two home losses all season, they will pose a serious test.
Oundle (3rd), just two points off the top, are back at Occupation Road this weekend as they host Esher (11th).
Esher’s impressive 41-34 victory over Old Albanian moved them 11 points clear of the drop zone, and the focus now shifts to pulling away from Henley (12th), who occupy the relegation play-off spot.
With games still to come against the bottom two, Esher may feel confident but Henley are fighting hard.
They have won three of their last four, including an excellent 25-19 victory at Westcombe Park last week, leaving them seven points clear of the bottom two.
Three of their final four fixtures are against bottom-half sides, beginning with Havant (8th) at home this weekend.
In a way, Henley will look to follow in Havant’s footsteps. At the start of 2026, Havant were 12th but are now pushing for a top-half finish after seven wins from their last nine.
Elsewhere, Dorking (4th), unbeaten in four, host Westcombe Park (7th), while London Welsh (9th) travel to Guernsey (10th) in search of a third away win of the season.
Canterbury (6th) vs Oxford Harlequins (14th) has been postponed due to meningitis concerns.
National Two West
You could argue that the promotion battle in National Two West was in hibernation just a few weeks ago, with leaders Camborne (1st) and Luctonians (2nd) looking comfortable in the top two spots.
But with just four matches remaining, is something beginning to stir?
Camborne, still in the driving seat with a 10-point cushion, have seen their vice-like grip on automatic promotion loosen slightly after back-to-back defeats.
Tom Kessell’s side fell to both Hornets (5th) and Taunton (4th) and now travel to sixth-placed Barnstaple, aiming to respond before next weekend’s break.
They may look to Luctonians for inspiration. George Thomas and Rob Lewis’ side bounced back from their Round 21 36-0 loss at Hinckley by surging to a 55-28 away win at Chester last time out.
Lucs return to Mortimer Park this weekend to host Redruth (8th), who have won just once on the road all season, while third-placed Hinckley remain keen to keep the pressure on.
The Midlands side sit five points behind Luctonians and will target an eighth successive victory against Chester (11th).
Fourth-placed Taunton, fresh from completing the double over Camborne, will chase an eighth straight home win at the Summerfield Stadium when they take on Lymm (9th).
If the battle towards the top isn’t quite at full throttle, the fight to avoid the drop very much is.
A spirited Syston (14th) could have their relegation confirmed if they fail to win at Hornets (5th).
With the hosts losing just once in their last 12 at The Nest, the Midlands visitors face a daunting challenge.
Above them, old foes Loughborough Students (13th) and Exeter University (12th) are scrapping it out.
Loughborough’s maximum in Round 22, combined with Exeter’s battling win at Syston, leaves both sides level on 46 points, with Exeter just outside the drop zone thanks to eight wins compared to Loughborough’s six.
This weekend, Exeter host Old Redcliffians (10th), while Loughborough travel to Cinderford (7th), where a first away victory of the season could prove extremely timely.
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