National League 2 North

Sale FC confirmed their place in the top two of National Two North after an enthralling victory over Sedgley Park in Round 26.

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.

Preston Grasshoppers will travel to Yorkshire this weekend to take on relegation rivals Sheffield Tigers with both sides desperate for a victory.

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.

Sale FC secured a brilliant win against promotion rivals Leicester Lions to tighten their grip on the play-off spot in National Two North.

Coach Jonathan Keep says the play-off place in National Two North will only be Sale FC’s to lose if they secure a victory against Leicester Lions on Saturday.

Sale FC produced an outstanding performance away at Stourbridge to stay in the driving seat for the play-off position in National Two North.

In recent weeks Talking Rugby Union has focused on potential reform to the Championship and the leagues immediately below it within the RFU’s domestic structure following reports that significant problems threaten the existence of a second-tier professional league in England.

Stourbridge clinched a crucial win over Leicester Lions two weeks ago to keep their promotion ambitions alive and they can increase their chances of a possible top two finish when they lock horns with Sale FC this weekend.

Preston Grasshoppers sealed their first win in seven matches to move off the bottom of National Two North.

It has been the perfect 2017 so far for Caldy having secured three wins in January, but the league leaders will be keen to stay in control of the National Two North title race by ending the month with yet another victory.

Following on from Lewis Hughes’ look at semi pro rugby union and his challenge to debate this burning rugby issue, we offer this structure for rugby fans to consider and debate.

Stourbridge came out on top against promotion rivals Leicester Lions to keep their top two ambitions alive in National Two North.