Lymm RFC v Loughborough Students – Saturday 5th September 2026

Welcome to the new Season

Season 2026/27 once again sees our 1st XV playing National League Rugby in “Level 2 West”, an outcome that was totally unexpected in May of this year. Having finished in 9th position in this league at the end of the 2025/26 season, we had, not unreasonably, expected to move back to the North division of National 2. A regional division that we know well, one that best reflects our geographic location, and one that minimises the significant impact of the travelling distances and costs associated with fixtures in the southwestern counties of Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. But alas that was not to be. Team movements in leagues above and below National 2 and a lack of progress in National League structure reviews and potential restructures resulted in yet another parallel transfer to the West for Lymm RFC.

Over the past couple of months there has been a lot of discussion and argument about how unfair this decision is and calls for further action to reverse it. However, our situation is not going to change for the coming season and so we will once again get the opportunity to play some great rugby throughout the West of England.

Our coaching team and players are committed to making the most of the opportunities that this level transfer presents, and I have no doubt that our wider membership will step up and provide the excellent support that we observed last season – please add your support to this fantastic endeavour!

Further information regarding the National League Rugby structure, the teams that are involved at this level and details of the opening weekend encounters is available via the following links;

National League Rugby Returns: Friday Night Lights Kicks Off Opening Weekend – National League Rugby

National League Rugby – The official website of National League Rugby

Delay to Season start – As you may already be aware, due to the extremely hot weather across England over the summer, RFU community rugby competitions below the men’s National League have been delayed until week commencing 21st September 2026. This means that our 2nd and 3rd XV’s and our M&J age groups will not start their competitive season for another 3 weeks. Training will continue during this period to prepare players in readiness for the new season.

Season 2026/27 Coaching Team – As Adam Fletcher settles into his retirement from the role of DOR – thank you Adam for your tremendous effort and support for our club over an incredible 12-year stint, we welcome Andy Davies into his new role as our DOR. Andy will be supported by Tom Bray and the returning Mark Williams as our Senior Coaches, together with our Conditioning Coach Pete Towers and our ever-present physio Vicky Ashworth. Thank you to all of the coaching team for your commitment to Lymm Rugby Club at all levels.

Women’s and Girls Rugby – Women’s Rugby has become a force to be reckoned with over a number of years and now stands shoulder to shoulder with the men’s game at a world level.

The impact of our investment in men’s rugby at all levels is now clearly evident, however, we have always aspired to develop Women’s and Girls rugby at Lymm RFC, but these aspirations have so far not taken off, that is until now!

Girls Rugby is being launched at Lymm Rugby Club this September and the full range of age groups are invited.

On Wednesday 9 September 2026, from 6pm to 7pm, girls at all ages are invited to the Artificial Grass Pitch at Lymm RFC. Coaching will be specifically tailored for each age group, with a key initial focus to launch a new U12’s team to provide a clear pathway for those girls in our M&J section to move from mixed teams into a girls only team.

Josh Hadland, our 1st Team Vice Captain has been appointed as the girl’s head coach and school liaison officer dedicated to helping introduce girls to rugby. Sale Sharks women’s team are also supporting the launch of Girls rugby at Lymm and a member of the Sale women’s team will be present at the launch night. For more information, please follow this link; Lymm RFC launches Girls Rugby | Lymm RFC

Welcome to Loughborough Students – For our first home game of the new season this weekend we entertain Loughborough Students at Beechwood for their second visit. Again, this was another unexpected outcome from the results of last season, when Loughborough narrowly missed retaining their place in National 2 West. However, due to a decision by Macclesfield not to accept the opportunity to play in National 2 West in the new season, and their subsequent relegation to Regional 1 North West, Loughborough Students maintained their position at National 2.

I am pleased to welcome Richard Smith, the new President of Loughborough Students, and Kevin Lucyszyn, their previous president, together with their team and all their supporters who attend the game this weekend, I do hope you once again enjoy your time at Beechwood!

I look forward to seeing as many members and supporters of Lymm RFC and visitors as possible on Saturday and to watching some fantastic competitive rugby. Please do come along and enjoy the atmosphere and hospitality at Beechwood!