Whatever the outcome of today’s exciting Championship clincher between top of the table Saints and 2nd-placed Rochdale, both teams will be competing at Level 6 next season but probably not in the same division.

Unsurprisingly, the RFU is tinkering with the league structure, yet again, and the ultimate complexion of the divisions at Level 5 and below remains uncertain. But it is clear that, where there are now two regional divisions, there will become three and the numbers of teams in each division will be capped at 12.

The RFU's stated aim is to reduce the number of games for players, whom the RFU advises don’t want to play as often, and to provide more local competition to reduce travel.

In the Northern region there are currently 27 teams at Level 6 split between North 1 East and North 1 West. A new division is being introduced, North 1 “Central”, to sit between them. The three divisions of 12 will require 36 teams to populate them. So, more teams will need to be promoted from Level 7. As champions (hopefully) Saints will go straight into N1W and Rochdale will almost certainly go up to the new N1 Central.

Who will be our likely opponents next season?

This is pure speculation, and much will depend on final league placings but it is possible that Keswick, Winnington Park, Warrington and Leigh may all join us at the next level:

So much for a reduction in travel with away fixtures to far-flung Keswick, Kirby Lonsdale, Penrith, Vale of Lune and, possibly, Douglas. Only speculation, of course.

For those clubs who want more home games to sustain their bars, despite RFU’s assertion that the players don’t want to play, an optional National Knock Out Cup is offered at the end of the season when the league has been completed. If we do opt in, the additional home fixtures will, of course, depend on success and favourable draws.

What will become of Level 7? The RFU is proposing to allow higher-placed clubs' 2nd XVs to enter the RFU leagues at Level 7; a measure voted against by most of our region’s community clubs. So, locally, we will see Chester 2s, Caldy 2s and others competing in the RFU league structure.

It seems to me that a better solution to this whole issue would be for RFU to bring the 36 Lancashire ADM league clubs and those club 1st teams who are currently playing in the Halbro NOWIRUL leagues (about 20 of them) back under their umbrella. The RFU will say that they can’t insist that the defecting teams return, but they could deny them access to International tickets, grant support, referees and other benefits, to persuade them. There would then be more than enough teams to compete, locally, at every level. Job done!

These musings are those of this commentator and not necessarily those of the club!


This is the last contribution to the website from “Saints Newsroom” which has been creating and providing content since its inception on 8 September 2009. The club will be recruiting a new “webmaster” to maintain the club’s high on-line profile. If you can get involved, please contact Jim McKenzie via the website for more information.