2024/25 Season thoughts

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   National One: Birmingham Moseley, Bishop’s Stortford, Blackheath, Darlington MP, Dings Crusaders, Esher, Leicester Lions, Plymouth Albion, Rams, Richmond, Rosslyn Park, Rotherham Titans, Sale FC, Sedgley Park.

With it being a tad quiet whilst we wait for a flurry of news about recruitment and pre season games I thought I'd have a look at the sides as they stand now.
No news from Moseley yet, but I do expect them to be competing in the top four this coming season.
I note Bishops Stortfords head coach is stepping down from the role, how will that effect the side as they will surely wish to be higher up the league after a close battle at seasons end.
Blackheath look to be recruiting strongly already, making a clear statement of intent.
Darlington Mowden Park had a solid season last time and will no doubt have eyes aimed higher this term.
Dings Crusaders had a nip and tuck tussle in Nat2 West and will no doubt be keen to make the most of the step, however, the step is a very large one, I think they may be one of the sides fighting at the wrong end of the league next year.
Esher are another promoted side who may also find life tough in this league, no disrespect to either of the new promoted sides, but I witnessed this at the beginning of last season.
Leicester Lions, did really well in some results and I think were a little slow off the mark even with a first game win. I expect another tough season but fancy with that experience, they could just kick on and be higher up the table, retaining players and recruitment will be telling for all these three clubs.
Plymouth Albion had another good season and I am sure they will be hoping to be in the upper end battle this season.
Rams will surely be hoping for promotion, but there are a lot of very good sides to spoil their plans, again player recruitment and retention will be key..
Richmond possibly under performed to how they might have hoped for, so I expect a big push from them too.
Rosslyn Park seem from a distance to be a bit of an enigma, always close, but not quite there, will this be their season?
Rotherham had a great campaign in Nat 2 North, are they back on track and looking to press on, or will they find the step up a challenge like the other promoted sides in this most competitive of leagues.
Sale Fc had a pretty poor season compared to the close battle at the top the season before, a late surge saving them from the end of season dog fight.
Last but not least Sedgley Park had a fair season, but I fancy they will be another club with ambitions higher up the league.
To finalise this I would not make any predictions yet, some players may move on/retire/move around and it will again the most competitive of leagues, the fixture list may well give us all the lift in excitement before it all kicks off again.
On a personal note, I need to improve dramatically in the prediction league, I was pretty rubbish really.

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tigerburnie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Joined: 10 Jun 2012 Location: Scotland Status: Offline Points: 3706	Post Options Post Reply Quote tigerburnie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: 2024/25 Season thoughts Posted: 26 May 2024 at 16:14
	National One: Birmingham Moseley, Bishop’s Stortford, Blackheath, Darlington MP, Dings Crusaders, Esher, Leicester Lions, Plymouth Albion, Rams, Richmond, Rosslyn Park, Rotherham Titans, Sale FC, Sedgley Park. With it being a tad quiet whilst we wait for a flurry of news about recruitment and pre season games I thought I'd have a look at the sides as they stand now. No news from Moseley yet, but I do expect them to be competing in the top four this coming season. I note Bishops Stortfords head coach is stepping down from the role, how will that effect the side as they will surely wish to be higher up the league after a close battle at seasons end. Blackheath look to be recruiting strongly already, making a clear statement of intent. Darlington Mowden Park had a solid season last time and will no doubt have eyes aimed higher this term. Dings Crusaders had a nip and tuck tussle in Nat2 West and will no doubt be keen to make the most of the step, however, the step is a very large one, I think they may be one of the sides fighting at the wrong end of the league next year. Esher are another promoted side who may also find life tough in this league, no disrespect to either of the new promoted sides, but I witnessed this at the beginning of last season. Leicester Lions, did really well in some results and I think were a little slow off the mark even with a first game win. I expect another tough season but fancy with that experience, they could just kick on and be higher up the table, retaining players and recruitment will be telling for all these three clubs. Plymouth Albion had another good season and I am sure they will be hoping to be in the upper end battle this season. Rams will surely be hoping for promotion, but there are a lot of very good sides to spoil their plans, again player recruitment and retention will be key.. Richmond possibly under performed to how they might have hoped for, so I expect a big push from them too. Rosslyn Park seem from a distance to be a bit of an enigma, always close, but not quite there, will this be their season? Rotherham had a great campaign in Nat 2 North, are they back on track and looking to press on, or will they find the step up a challenge like the other promoted sides in this most competitive of leagues. Sale Fc had a pretty poor season compared to the close battle at the top the season before, a late surge saving them from the end of season dog fight. Last but not least Sedgley Park had a fair season, but I fancy they will be another club with ambitions higher up the league. To finalise this I would not make any predictions yet, some players may move on/retire/move around and it will again the most competitive of leagues, the fixture list may well give us all the lift in excitement before it all kicks off again. On a personal note, I need to improve dramatically in the prediction league, I was pretty rubbish really.

fatbear Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Joined: 13 Sep 2013 Location: Thame Status: Offline Points: 2782	Post Options Post Reply Quote fatbear Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 May 2024 at 20:55
	Early days, but if the sides remain more or less the same I would expect Rams to win the league at a canter. I think Rotherham and Esher will avoid the relegation dog-fight, and Sale will return to the top 5. Leicester Lions, Dings and Stortford likely to struggle. But who knows what the transfers in/out will be !

Pilier Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List First XV regular Joined: 10 Jun 2019 Location: Wiltshire Status: Offline Points: 61	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pilier Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 May 2024 at 15:11
	Do not underestimate Dings, last year they had considerable help from Bristol Bears and the news on the M4 that it will be even greater next season.

Storty Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Mini and Juniors Joined: 28 Apr 2024 Location: Stortford Status: Online Points: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote Storty Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 May 2024 at 19:58
	On paper Rams should have a free run at the title as none of the others have had their consistency over recent seasons. However, we'll have to wait until the transfers are done to see if there is another Chinnor this season. Stortford are in quite an odd situation. Two seasons ago, there were joint head coaches, last season one resigned and the other took over sole charge. This coming season he's resigned as the other has come back! The captain has also retired, which is a big loss, but if that's the only retirement and we get a couple in I think we should be able to have a better season than last.

Breakdown Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List First XV regular Joined: 11 Apr 2023 Location: SW London Status: Offline Points: 75	Post Options Post Reply Quote Breakdown Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 May 2024 at 14:41
	Prem sides have to slash their squad sizes to 35+12 Academy, which means some are going to drop 20+ players (Bath and Quins both have more than 70 players registered in some fashion). While most will be picked up in the Championship, there will be a trickle-down effect to lower leagues which means any club that sees contracted players on salaries as their way up will have a lot more talent to choose from.
	Broken down. Beyond repair.

kingsheathlad Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Joined: 15 Jan 2010 Location: Alcester Status: Offline Points: 3293	Post Options Post Reply Quote kingsheathlad Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 May 2024 at 19:40
	I would put Rams, Plymouth and Rosslyn Park in top three. Difficult to judge teams coming up, sometimes after relegation, they seem stronger on return. Blackheath have made a few signings, but quiet from other cubs on re-signings and signings. Usually by Christmas you get an idea of top and bottom. Any way, enjoy the summer break and roll on next season.
	Cauliflower ear.

tigerburnie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Joined: 10 Jun 2012 Location: Scotland Status: Offline Points: 3706	Post Options Post Reply Quote tigerburnie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31 May 2024 at 10:50
	Well the fixture list appearing is a starting point for a conversation, Leicester Lions visit last years rival Bishop Stortford for the opener, both will see that as laying down a marker and should prove to be a very interesting fixture.

FHLH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Cambridge Joined: 19 Apr 2009 Location: Cambridge Status: Offline Points: 5311	Post Options Post Reply Quote FHLH Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 hours 27 minutes ago at 14:28
	With Cambridge and Chinnor being excluded from the Premiership Cup, I cannot help but feel jealous at the thought of the continuity of fixtures in the National leagues. I once thought that Level 4 to 3 was an unimaginable leap but I now know that Level 3 to 2 is worse. Nick Easter (Chinnor coach) was spot on in his Rugby Paper article - National leagues fixture list certainty is a real bonus. My message to aspiring Level 3 teams is forget the Championship; the RFU, CVC and Premiership clubs have too much control. Note what problems Ealing Trailfinders have had with the Premiership cartel. Even though it's playing into the RFU's hands, stay in National One until the ~~Premiership clubs~~ RFU decide what's going on and you might get some rugby to watch. Edited by FHLH - 17 hours 20 minutes ago at 14:35
	"My father told me big men fall just as quick as little ones, if you put a sword through their hearts."

tigerburnie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Joined: 10 Jun 2012 Location: Scotland Status: Offline Points: 3706	Post Options Post Reply Quote tigerburnie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 hours 36 minutes ago at 15:19
	There have been a lot of changes at Leicester Lions so no real idea as to how the coming season will go, the core of the side is still there and there are some exciting looking new signings both on the field and in the coaching staff. I don't think we will be worrying the the Championship sides this season, but am hopeful of a fruitful season ahead.

workerbee Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Joined: 20 May 2009 Location: Wirral Status: Offline Points: 905	Post Options Post Reply Quote workerbee Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 hours 39 minutes ago at 16:16
	What will affect many of the Nat 1 teams will be the proposed ground and Facilities Criteria going forward into the Championship / Prem 2. There are several clubs who will find it difficult to meet it. However many in this board have commented on the issues between Championship and Premiership, just look at the structure of the fixtures in the championship no league game until 21st September two cup blocks 26th October to 23rd November, 5 weeks and 1st February to 15th March, 7 weeks. totalling 12 weeks which Chinnor and Cambridge have to fill, and the proposed plan for 25/26 is for a 16 team cup, 10 premiership sides and 6 Championship with the other 8 (if the league goes to 14 team) to find alternative fixtures, possibly an 8 team cup or playing a competition with Welsh Sides, but this has been done before with no sponsorship and clubs pulling out at the last minute caused it to fold. The other issue the fixture list has been drawn out to match the premiership fixtures and finishes this season on 31st May, this is to ensure that both leagues finish at the same time with the play off between the Bottom Premier club and the top Championship cup to take place on the first two weeks in June!! Subject to the Championship club meeting the revised Prem Criteria. This would leave the Championship Club, should they win the play off, very little time to prepare a squad for the Premiership season. Whilst the ground criteria has been made more flexible it still means they will need to commit to increasing their ground Capacity to 10,000 in 4 years with no guarantee of staying in the premiership. In my view National 1 is probably the best league to be in for any club unless you have very deep pockets!!! Edited by workerbee - 15 hours 37 minutes ago at 16:18