National League 1

All four table-toppers across National League Rugby will have difficult assignments in Round 17, with Sale FC and Sedgley Park facing promotion rivals.

North Walsham's win has edged them closer to safety while Chinnor, Esher, Huddersfield and Barnstaple built on a solid start to 2023.

Lancashire Head Coach Mark Nelson offers his thoughts on what the RFU can do to improve the outlook of rugby below the elite tiers.

Caldy's fightback against Ealing was the latest chapter in the remarkable rise of the club and it also shone a light on the value of English rugby's second tier.

Clashes at the wrong end of National One and National Two West could shape the rest of the season.

A winning start to 2023 for teams battling towards the wrong end of their respective divisions was the perfect way to begin the New Year for a trio of clubs.

With the second part of the campaign now underway, title challenges and battles for survival become much more significant.

The former England international has recently taken up the position of Director of Rugby at National One club Chinnor.

The freezing temperatures put pay to 21 fixtures across National League Rugby but results for Sale FC and Bournville sees them enter the festive break in good spirits.

Stapley, who is the current captain of National One league leaders Rams RFC, looks back on a memorable derby day victory over Chinnor.

Two sides towards the bottom of their respective divisions collected excellent results while Rams RFC and Clifton suffered setbacks.

Rams RFC's pristine run of form came to an end in Round 12 while Huddersfield, North Walsham and Barnstaple all picked up excellent victories.

The London Irish skipper spoke to TRU ahead of his 100th appearance for the club and discussed his journey with the Exiles.

The halfway mark of the season is just around the corner and as December begins, a blend of title dreams and fighting the threat of relegation is on the agenda.

Despite there still being a long way to go in this campaign, picking up crucial wins against rivals and collecting bonus points could be vital further down the line.

After a tough start to the National League Rugby season, the final weekend of November offers a chance for those scrapping towards the bottom to spark their respective campaigns into life.

Brian Moore's column for The Telegraph last month focused on player wages across the English rugby tier system.

Hull also end their losing streak in National One, Sheffield Tigers stun Rotherham Titans in National Two North and Old Redcliffians and Bournville receive boosts.

Bang. Just like that, we are in November and Round Nine is set to be a cracker with clubs up and down the land plotting their route to victory.

Teams at the wrong end of their respective divisions picked up welcome and valuable victories in Round Eight while clubs at the top highlighted their credentials once again.