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.

I did not watch any of the sides remaining in the league from last season but did see plenty of North East 2 and Yorkshire 2.

Old Crocs are not a bad side and won 8 of their league games, 6 wins came at home and I cannot remember them loosing heavily at home. Their home has always given them an advantage at home and I expect that to be the case next season. So unless they have lost lots of players they will do well.

Otley and Brid are both good sides, of the two I expect Brid will strength their side and will be in the top four. Much will depend on how many if any players Otley loose.

Basing this on last season and what I know of certain teams my predictions in no particular order is

Top 4 - Goole, Old Cross, OO's, Yarnbury

Middle 4 - Brid, Keighley, Old Rish, West Leeds

Bottom 4 - D phoenix, Hullensians, H pythons, Wensleydale

I'm probably going to be way off.

https://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/search-results?team=9502&season=2026-2027&competition=1623&division=75812#fixtures

Fixtures out 

Pythons starting off the big signings with a new player coach from N2N

Quote from: BishBashBosh on Jul 01, 2026, 04:57 PMPythons starting off the big signings with a new player coach from N2N

Excited to play alongside Joe again for the first time since Colts 17 years ago! It's a move that's been on the cards for a while, especially with his brother already here as a player and his dad as a coach.

Going to be an interesting one, a lot of sides have second XV's in the leagues now which will add pressure to some already stretched squads. Looks like another season where anyone can be beaten on the day, I don't think there are two teams who will be as dominant as Wath and Dinno were last year...

Top 2;
Crocs who didn't have a particularly disastrous season in the league above with 8 wins and 48 points, got to be in the mix to bounce back up.

Goole finished the 25/36 season well, a decent pack and some backs who can mix it up if they've kept the squad together they will challenge.


Mid-Table (in no particular order);
Yarnbury probably caught a few teams napping last season, some box office backs and a pack who mix it up despite their lack of size. Think it will be a difficult second season for the plane spotters but they're probably safe in Y1 for another season.

Wensleydale were a real mixed bag last season but looked like they were bringing a few young players though who will only be better this season. Expect them to do okay.

Old Otlensian are an unknown quantity to me. I've heard they've got an absolutely rapid winger and they've had an incredible charge up the leagues but I have a feeling they'll find their level this season.

Keighley whose star, I feel, is waning a little. They had a couple of seasons really challenging for promotion but unless they've recruited some backs who don't just go route one I can't see past a mid table finish again.

Old Rishworthian were another side with plenty of youth on display last season. Had a few big lumps up front who seemed to be picked due to their antipodean accents rather than playing ability but can see them improving on last years finish.

Bridlington traditionally a strong club working their way back up, a long journey for a lot of clubs so will be tough at home. Will they travel and will their imports stick around or bugger off down south again though?

Hullensians a third team who blooded their kids last season. Looked a good side on a dry track when they could chuck it about a bit. Think they'll be improved this season.


Relegation battle;
West Leeds a few retirements and backfilling from perennial Y2 middlers Baildon won't do much to fill the gaps. Can see them struggling.

Pythons I think they are a club who are going to struggle with depth across two leagues next season. They are the most likely to stay up but I wouldn't be surprised to see them in the basement battle.

Doncaster Phoenix suffered last year, a few battling performances but most of the season was one way traffic and they gave a HWO to Scabs unheard of at that level. Their coach has moved on but I worry once that kind of rot sets in it will be a few seasons to stop it.