A few of the issues affecting the make-up of National One next season have been decided.

Out of the division to National Two will go Barking, Stourbridge & Birmingham/Solihull. Most likely, at the other end of the table, Jersey will move up to the Championship if the Channel Islanders can earn nine points from their last three fixtures. Whichever club goes up from N1 they are likely to be replaced by Esher who are almost certain to be relegated from the Championship.

In terms of newcomers, the only 'definite' at the moment is Loughborough Students who are champions of N2N and deserve their chance after three seasons knocking on the door. They will be joined by the winners of N2S, either Old Albanians or Richmond. Whoever finishes 2nd in N2S will face a playoff match with the runners up in N2N. This will be a home game for the Southern club and they are likely to face either Caldy or one of a clutch of chasers including Luctonians, Hull RUFC or Preston Grasshoppers. History suggests that the N2S runners-up are likely to use home advantage to overcome the challenge of the N2N representative.

So a guess at the make-up of N1 suggests that it might look like this:

South & South East

Blackheath
Cambridge
Ealing Trailfinders
Esher
Old Albanians
Richmond
Rosslyn Park

Midlands/West Country

Cinderford
Coventry
Loughborough Students

North

Blaydon
Fylde
Macclesfield
Sedgley Park
Tynedale
Wharfedale