Hornets’ National League 2 West opponents for 2025/26 season confirmed.
With champions Clifton promoted to National League 1 plus Bournville and Devonport Services relegated to Regional 1 Midlands and South West, respectively next season, Hornets will face some new opponents in the 2025/26 season.
Though the current league structure mostly works well for clubs in most seasons, this year, there were some anomalies with clubs in the leagues that are on the border of the geographical boundaries, resulting in club movements.
The RFU explained: “We do work hard to review the travel scenario facing all clubs and make what we believe are the best decisions while recognising that sometimes there is no perfect solution.
“We understand that this will have been a challenging scenario for the clubs involved, so it has also been agreed that there should be a review of the league structure during the season, ensuring significant input from clubs, to explore other options that might minimise the travel burden for 2026/27.”
Barnstaple have been promoted from Regional 1 South West and Syston from Regional 1 Midlands, while Chester and Lymm have been given a level transfer from National League 2 North, and Macclesfield is moving in the other direction from National League 2 West.
The North Devon side returns to National League 2 South West after a two-season absence. Chester and Hornets locked horns in the 2023/24 season, when the honours were shared. Lymm and Syston will provide league opposition for the first time.
There is little difference in the distance that Hornets players and supporters travelled to Macclesfield last season and that required Lymm, Chester or Camborne.
Club placings for 2025/26
National One: Birmingham Moseley, Bishop’s Stortford, Blackheath, Clifton, Dings Crusaders, Leeds Tykes, Leicester Lions, Plymouth Albion, Rams, Rotherham Titans, Rosslyn Park, Sale FC, Sedgley Park, Tonbridge Juddians.
National Two North: Billingham, Darlington Mowden Park, Fylde, Hull, Hull Ionians, Macclesfield, Otley, Preston Grasshoppers, Rossendale, Scunthorpe, Sheffield, Sheffield Tigers, Tynedale, Wharfedale.
National Two East: Barnes, Bury St Edmunds, Canterbury, Dorking, Esher, Guernsey, Havant, Henley, London Welsh, Old Albanian, Oundle, Oxford Harlequins, Sevenoaks, Westcombe Park.
National Two West: Barnstaple, Camborne, Chester, Cinderford, Exeter University, Hinckley, Hornets, Loughborough Students, Luctonians, Lymm, Old Redcliffians, Redruth, Syston, Taunton Titans.
Counties 2 Tribute Ale Somerset
Avon, Burnham-on-Sea, Castle Cary, Chew Valley II, Clevedon, Hornets II, Imperial, Keynsham II, Minehead Barbarians, Oldfield Old Boys, Rebels Rugby,St Bernadettes Old Boys
Counties 3 Tribute Ale Somerset South
Bridgwater & Albion II, Crewkerne, Hornets III, Martock, North Petherton II, Somerton, Tor, Wellington II, Wells, Weston-s-Mare II, Wiveliscombe II
Counties 4 Tribute Ale Somerset South
Bridgwater & Albion III, Burnham-on-Sea II, Chard II, Hornets IV, Minehead Barbarians II, Morganians, North Petherton III, Tor II, Weston-s-Mare III, Wincanton, Yeovil II
League Fixtures for the 2025-26 season are being finalised and will be published in due course.
Further information around play-off proposals which impact National League Rugby still need to be agreed and finalised.
We will provide updates as soon as we hear them.
May 29, 2025
