Sheffield Tigers, Harrogate and Scunthorpe head into Round 30 still fighting for survival in National Two North with each side hoping to still be in this division come tomorrow night.
Harrogate have dropped into the relegation places in National Two North as they suffered a defeat against Otley while rivals Sheffield Tigers clinched a crucial win over South Leicester.
Scunthorpe and Sheffield Tigers are set for a defining weekend in National Two North as both sides continue to work towards safety with just two rounds of action left in the campaign.
Caldy can be crowned champions of National Two North this weekend with a win over second placed Sale FC, but the visitors to Paton Field will have other ideas.
Pete Swatkins scored two tries to help Sheffield Tigers secure their third straight win which has seen them move to within one point of safety in National Two North.
With four games left of the National Two North season, Preston Grasshoppers’ status in this division is hanging by a thread and if results don’t go in their favour this weekend, the Lancashire may well be relegated.
In recent weeks the rugby-verse was set aflame by the announcement that the Top 14’s two Parisian clubs Stade Francais and Racing Metro 92 were to merge into one super-club next season.
Just under a year ago, Sale FC were battling to avoid relegation from National Two North, but if you fast-forward 12 months, the Manchester-based club have turned their fortunes and ambitions around.
TRU’s Chris Heal reflects on yet another intriguing weekend in the National Leagues which saw titles lifted, campaigns reignited and revivals continue.
Promotion battles and relegation fights once again grabbed the headlines in the National Leagues in Round 24 as the twists and turns continued at this crucial stage of the season.
What a crazy, wonderful 7 days we have had watching rugby union and reporting on the latest rugby news. We didn't realise the arrests of James O’Connor and Ali Williams in Paris could lead to so many tweets about white lines!
Last Saturday, Preston Grasshoppers gave themselves a glimmer of hope that they can avoid relegation from National Two North this season and the Lancashire side will be hoping to build on that in Round 24.
The first round of rearranged fixtures was also going to be important for sides fighting for survival across the National Leagues and there was joy for four teams battling to avoid the drop.
The first round of rearranged fixtures this season is upon us and all the games taking place this weekend hold great significance for the reminder of the campaign.
It has been a perfect 2017 for league leaders Caldy and with one final fixture of February still left to play, Simon Verbickas’ side will be keen to begin the penultimate month of the season in the driving seat.