The 2018/19 season starts with a home game against Derby RFC with the Nuns looking to forget the end of last season and start with vigour and confidence. The players have worked hard throughout pre-season but nothing compares to the rough and tumble of the first league game.
Last season Derby finished 8th in the league one place and 6 points better off than the Nuns. It was one a piece between the sides with both teams winning their home games, 30-24 at Liberty Way and 44-31 at Derby.
The Saxons also kick off their season away at Derby and it will be great to see the Colts back in action this season as they start at home to Barkers Butts, 1pm on number 2 pitch.

The club has seen players come and go this summer and a round-up of activity so far is below:
New players –
John Graham, front row – Geraldine, NZ
James Redman, loose head – Atherstone
Dale Bowyer, hooker – Earlsdon
Jake Arms, second row – Coventrians
Leigh Thompson, back row – VRAC, Spain
Ben Cooper, fly half/full back – Broadstreet
Dylan Bale, centre – rugby league
Sion Cowdy, wing – Sheffield Medics
Ricky Hughes, wing – Southam
Jamie Nicholson, back 3 – King Henry VIII
Nemani Rayabo, back 3 – Oakham
Outgoing players –
Adam Carey, prop – Broadstreet
Zach Clarke, hooker – Henley
Rory Vowles, fly half/full back – Hinckley
Brad Whitmore, full back – Telford

There are a number of players unavailable for the first weekend of the season and the following players are missing through injury – Adam Ross (back), Rudi Reid (ruptured bicep), Leigh Thompson (shoulder).

Team news: the front row sees James Redman starting at loose head prop, Dale Bowyer at hooker and Sam Greening at tight head. Tom Aherne and Arron Turner pack down in the second row and the back row is made up from Arron Skyrme, Danny Southall and Todd Bullions.
In the backline, Tom Smitham is partnered by Huw Thomas at half backs. Dylan Bale joins Captain Elliott Brown in the centres and Sion Cowdy, Jackson Hughes and Richard Johnston make up the back 3.
Ryan Leake, Adie Hall and Moses Liwaliwa make up the replacements.

Squad to play Derby RFC, Number 1 pitch 3pm:

Nuneaton	Position	Position Sponsor
James Redman	1	Mark Gardner
Dale Bowyer	2	Brent Masser
Sam Greening	3	Ian Holt
Tom Aherne	4
Arron Turner	5
Arron Skyrme	6	Mark Mitchell
Danny Southall	7	Allan Taylor
Todd Bullions	8	Paul Griffiths
Tom Smitham	9	Paul Mitchell Home Improvements
Huw Thomas	10	Alibone/Carter
Sion Cowdy	11	James Fletcher
Dylan Bale	12	Andy Kearns
Elliott Brown	13	Andy Webb
Jackson Hughes	14
Richard Johnston	15	Adam Jones
Ryan Leake	16
Adie Hall	17
Moses Liwaliwa	18

You can sponsor a position for £150 for the season, please contact sponsorship@nuneatonrugby.co.uk for more information.

Saxons squad to play Derby away, 3pm:

Demo Gonsalves, Joji Volaikisuva, John Graham, Lewis Wilson, Jake Arms, Sam Wallis, Chris Smith, Oli Moreton, Elliot Norman, Tom Leeson, George Wallis, Marcus Holt, Matt Guilfoyle, Manasa Volaikisuva, Ryan Southall, Nemani Rayabo, Jamie Nicholson, Adam Stauvers, Ricky Hughes

Midlands Premier - Preview and Week 1

Preview

It’s that time again when we look forward to a new exciting season and this one looks more competitive than ever. Three teams (Broadstreet, Luctonians and Sheffield) have been relegated to Midlands Premier from National 2 and they are sure to be keen on a quick return. Syston and Burton join us in Midland Premier to provide some more local rivalry. All in all it has the makings of an interesting season.

Week 1 - 1st September

With little to go on, the pundits are dependent on hearsay and what little evidence of pre-season friendlies exists. So here we go:

Luctonians to beat Lichfield
Newport to beat Doncaster Phoenix
Nuns to beat Derby – could be close
Sandbach to beat Burton
Scunthorpe to lose to Broadstreet
Sheffield to lose to Bridgnorth
Syston to lose to Bournville

Anchorman