Mark Ashcroft reflects on National League Rugby’s Local Rivalries round, from Fylde v Preston to packed grounds, young fans and thriving club communities.

Mark Ashcroft reflects on National League Rugby’s Local Rivalries round, from Fylde v Preston to packed grounds, young fans and thriving club communities.

There are some eye-catching opening round fixtures in National Two West, with Friday Night Lights kicking off another season at Levels Three and Four.

Former Northampton and Ealing winger on swapping the top levels of the English game for National Two.

Preston Grasshoppers confirm three August friendlies as Matt Sturgess returns to Lightfoot Green and pre-season turns into match preparation.

Preston Grasshoppers confirm three August friendlies as Matt Sturgess returns to Lightfoot Green and pre-season turns into match preparation.

Rotherham Titans’ return to tier two reshapes the Champ’s rugby map, creating new Yorkshire dynamics with Doncaster and renewing focus on travel, rivalry and survival.

Rotherham Titans’ return to tier two reshapes the Champ’s rugby map, creating new Yorkshire dynamics with Doncaster and renewing focus on travel, rivalry and survival.

National League Rugby clubs have returned to pre-season training, with squads rebuilding fitness, systems and belief.

National League Rugby clubs have returned to pre-season training, with squads rebuilding fitness, systems and belief.

A sharp look at National League rugby pre-season, from bleep tests and hill reps to smarter training, contact conditioning and injury prevention.

A sharp look at National League rugby pre-season, from bleep tests and hill reps to smarter training, contact conditioning and injury prevention.

National League Rugby's Round 9 Preview Show. After a one-week hiatus, National League Rugby returns and Chris Heal is joined by several guests.

National League Rugby's Round 9 Preview Show. After a one-week hiatus, National League Rugby returns and Chris Heal is joined by several guests.

National League Rugby's Round 8 Preview Show. Chris Heal is joined by Tynedale Director of Rugby Peter Southern and Club President Neil Foster to discuss the club's community feel + start to the season.

National League Rugby's Round 8 Preview Show. Chris Heal is joined by Tynedale Director of Rugby Peter Southern and Club President Neil Foster to discuss the club's community feel + start to the season.

National League Rugby's Round 7 Preview Show. Chris Heal is joined by Bury St Edmunds Director of Rugby Jacob Ford to discuss a summer of change at the club.

National League Rugby's Round 7 Preview Show. Chris Heal is joined by Bury St Edmunds Director of Rugby Jacob Ford to discuss a summer of change at the club.

National League Rugby's Round 6 Preview Show. Chris Heal is joined by Canterbury 1st XV Player and Head of Player Pathway Nathan Morris + Director of Rugby Taff Gwilliam to discuss one of the club's new ventures

National League Rugby's Round 6 Preview Show. Chris Heal is joined by Canterbury 1st XV Player and Head of Player Pathway Nathan Morris + Director of Rugby Taff Gwilliam to discuss one of the club's new ventures