Yorkshire Rugby

Given our league was left alone with no 2XV teams added in, Who does everyone have as early favorites for promotion and relegation? Did anyone manage to watch any of the teams who have come down or up into the league? With preseason already starting for some teams has your clubs confirmed and pre-season fixtures yet?

Lets try and make this forum active heading into the season.

Well treading water is better than drowning! The person who sits at the top of tree is being realistic 😉

I don't think anyone is under the illusion that Scarborough will be settling for survival. Not with the rumours circulating in the North East.

Infrastructure is all in place for National League rugby at Silver Royd, and sounds like plans are to continue to the ride the wave, not just tread water!

Our most exciting announcements to come over the coming weeks.

However, I'm very realistic that survival would be a most satisfactory season for us.

It's good to hear that Driffield are pushing for promotion and expect to be up there next season. It will make for exciting derby matches, top (Drif) v bottom (Scarb)..

A very good young kiwi, looks an exciting player. Always great to have an overseas player in the squad. Scarborough know full well the value they bring on and off the field

Quote from: Differ Lid on Jun 03, 2026, 06:29 PMHard to look away from relegated sides being at the top and promoted sides at the bottom.

It sounds like Hull have lost a few and maintained a few, so they will be bit of an unknown, they have a lot of ex professional talent, just not a very big pool of players.

I think Scunthorpe will be up there but they have lost Tim Robinson, been there for a hell of a long time and big shoes to fill.

Alnwick have had a consistent squad for a few years and came just short last year, so think they have to be favourites.

Ilkley, Blaydon and Sandal have lost a couple of strong players.

Middlesbrough will no doubt be improved now they know the level.

York will need to do something to avoid a repeat, chance a couple of the older heads call it a day after a tough year?

Northern bit of unknown.

North Ribb & Scarborough have a habit of winning, it normally shows over the 1st few games.
Scarborough the most active side with signings, will see if they add the value for a higher level.

And Driffield, ex 1st XV captain and key backrow retired, not easy to replace. Plenty of young players blooded last season and staying around, a couple of key returning players for the 100th year and could easily be a couple of places higher then 6th.

Don't forget your overseas recruits at Driff!

Hard to look away from relegated sides being at the top and promoted sides at the bottom.

It sounds like Hull have lost a few and maintained a few, so they will be bit of an unknown, they have a lot of ex professional talent, just not a very big pool of players.

I think Scunthorpe will be up there but they have lost Tim Robinson, been there for a hell of a long time and big shoes to fill.

Alnwick have had a consistent squad for a few years and came just short last year, so think they have to be favourites.

Ilkley, Blaydon and Sandal have lost a couple of strong players.

Middlesbrough will no doubt be improved now they know the level.

York will need to do something to avoid a repeat, chance a couple of the older heads call it a day after a tough year?

Northern bit of unknown.

North Ribb & Scarborough have a habit of winning, it normally shows over the 1st few games.
Scarborough the most active side with signings, will see if they add the value for a higher level.

And Driffield, ex 1st XV captain and key backrow retired, not easy to replace. Plenty of young players blooded last season and staying around, a couple of key returning players for the 100th year and could easily be a couple of places higher then 6th.

On player numbers, Ripon 1st XV selected 51 players overall for competitive games last season - 35 before Christmas including 8 club or adult debuts and 16 post Christmas including a further 8 club or adult debuts. Just two Colts "graduated" into senior Rugby in total, the other debuts were new members joining. With a playing strength like that, one would imagine that fielding a regular and consistent 2nd XV would be a doddle, plus an occasional 3rd XV. The reality however, is that with injuries, work, family and other distractions, that remains unlikely for Ripon 1st and 2nd XVs for next season. With an average of 10 player changes per match (Including recalls to cover absences and positional reshuffles) consistent performances will always be a challenge.

Quote from: Forward Pass on Jun 03, 2026, 12:43 PMMoving this to RE1 chat hope you don't mind Pristine!

As I have said before, looking forward "to playing Scarbs and Ribb again - it's been a long time. Most promoted teams seem to have struggled to cope with extra pace in NE1, so there is clearly a gap.

However, the gap from NE1 or N3N is even greater, as every team in N3N is semi-professional. So if Scunthorpe and Hull can hold on to their sponsors and players, they're going to be very hard to beat. Apart from those two, Alnwick would be my favourites."

I agree and can't see anyone other than those 3 to make up the top 3 teams if Hull and Scun keep the core of their squads together they'll be hard to beat. 

Especially with it seeming like lots of teams losing players... not many new signings on social media but I guess only time will tell. Wouldn't count out the newly promoted teams especially N Rib- a side with a hell of a lot of momentum don't write them off I think top half at least.

Moving this to RE1 chat hope you don't mind Pristine!

As I have said before, looking forward "to playing Scarbs and Ribb again - it's been a long time. Most promoted teams seem to have struggled to cope with extra pace in NE1, so there is clearly a gap.

However, the gap from NE1 or N3N is even greater, as every team in N3N is semi-professional. So if Scunthorpe and Hull can hold on to their sponsors and players, they're going to be very hard to beat. Apart from those two, Alnwick would be my favourites."