National 1 - The run in.....................

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The run in.....................

Printed From: National League Rugby Discussion Forum
Category: League Rugby - www.leaguerugby.co.uk
Forum Name: National 1
Forum Description: Discuss the 14 clubs in the third level of the English game
URL: http://www.leaguerugby.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=20667
Printed Date: 04 Mar 2025 at 22:05
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Topic: The run in.....................

Posted By: tigerburnie
Subject: The run in.....................
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2025 at 16:25

Race to avoid the drop'

If Leicester Lions win this weekend, that will I understand confirm DMP's relegation.

So a lot of presumption here, but looking at the fixture lists, Lions have only two away fixtures, whereas Esher have three. So is the Esher v Lions game in a couple of weekends, the "do or die" match?

Both clubs have extremely important matches this weekend, neither can afford to lose, should Lions win at home and Esher lose at Dings, those points on the board could be disappearing.

Fixtures for:-

Lions have

DMP at home

Esher away

Sale home

Dings away

Blackheath home

Bishops Stortford home

Esher have

Dings away

Leicester Lions home

Bishops Stortford away

Moseley home

Plymouth Albion away

Sedgeley Park home

it's gonna be tight I think.

Replies:

Posted By: Rothman2
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2025 at 17:18

Isn’t there still the uncertainty that 3 might go down which might draw more teams into it?

If two, it could be pivotal, as I see that this weekend, not only Lions at home to DMP but also Dings at home to Esher, which could be interesting.

Unfortunately the uncertainty of what is happening is typical of the RFU. I remember us beating Exeter in the late nineties on the last day of the season in the Championship and it was not known whether the promotion play offs, that we were potentially involved in, was going to happen, or if indeed there would be relegation, which, if confirmed would have sent Exeter down.

Ultimately the play offs went ahead, and Exeter stayed up as there was ultimately no relegation due to expansion of the Championship from 12 to 14 teams.

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Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.

Groucho Marx

Posted By: tigerburnie
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2025 at 17:25

With the RFU lurking somewhere, they could split Nat 1 into North and South and no one goes down. Depending on the size of Premiership 2, there might be no relegations if more go up due to Worcester, London Irish and Wasps all failing to show up.

So we have no idea do we?

Posted By: Rothman2
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2025 at 17:37

Good point although I think it would be criminal to regionalise a great league like National 1. Depends though if the clubs themselves want it. Also it might dilute the quality of the league.

Seeing as the Championship clubs seem not to be interested in the Premiership Cup maybe, as in 1995/96 they might promote 4 and relegate no one.

Bizarre though that we are in March & we have no idea of what is happening. Everyone really needs certainty or it could stilt the whole competition.

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Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.

Groucho Marx

Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2025 at 19:31

Appreciate how frustrating the lack of confirmation of details must be. Having said that the prospect of the Champ being 14 teams & the knock-on effects of this on relegation down the pyramid were shared several weeks ago.

Just checked the RFU London site to check the above and there's an update from last weekend that includes the relegation spreadsheet. See link below. Only 2 down from Nat 1, and 5 from the trio of N2 leagues...

https://www.rfulondon.com/latest-news" rel="nofollow - https://www.rfulondon.com/latest-news

Posted By: Rothman2
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2025 at 21:13

Thanks Tom.

I did see hear about the regional thing. Was it not mentioned last year?

What I can’t work out is why they think Nat 1 is a community game?

I really don’t see any merits in bringing in any of the ex Prem Clubs. I really don’t think they’ve can bring anything to the table. Some of their fans even think that the Championship should be some kind of feeder to support the Prem teams. Some even say they’d be happy to take a place in Nat 1. !!!! Others saying the Championship clubs have no ambition. Oh my goodness. At the end of the day it’s about the product on the field.

The sense of entitlement is off the scale.

My solution would be to cut out the middle man - put them back in the Premiership. They seem suited to that league. Just leave our National leagues alone. Promotion is earned on the field - not in a committee room.

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Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.

Groucho Marx

Posted By: tigerburnie
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2025 at 21:26

There is some sort of plan where by the RFU give control to the Championship and National leagues in return for not forcing the vote of no confidence to remove some of the hierarchy at the forthcoming extra ordinary meeting.

Posted By: Rothman2
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2025 at 21:32

Tigerburnie.

I have now read Islanders kind link. On that basis yes it looks to be between you and Esher. I wish you well. You are certainly very difficult to beat. Esher had a purple patch but seem to have dropped off a little so you certainly have a chance.

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Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.

Groucho Marx