THE RFU have today confirmed the set-up of National One for the 2023-23 season, with Rams set to renew rivalries with London-based sides Richmond and Blackheath while also taking on Sedgley Park and Leicester Lions for the first time in league action.

Level Three will again consist of 14 teams, with Richmond dropping down from the Championship after being edged out in their relegation battle by London Scottish.

The Athletic Ground men were National One champions in Rams’ first season at Level Three, completing a double over the newbies (37-22 away and 22-17 at home in front of a then-record crowd) on their way to promotion in the Covid-hit campaign.

Coming up are National Two East champions Blackheath, Club having bounced back immediately from relegation with a dominant season in which they secured the title with three weeks to spare.

Equally dominant in Two North were Sedgley Park – beaten only once last term – and Leicester Lions, who won 25 of their 26 games in Two West.

Elsewhere, Sale, who with Rams contributed to the best title race in recent times before being just pipped to the post by Cambridge, will look to go a step further along with perennial high-flyers Rosslyn Park.

Plymouth Albion enjoyed a superb season in finishing fifth, while Bishop’s Stortford also achieved a best-ever placing of sixth and will once again visit Old Bath Road next term.

Two sides who led the way up from National Two South ahead of Rams – Cinderford and local rivals Chinnor – will provide some more famous battles along with Birmingham Moseley, Darlington Mowden Park and Taunton Titans, the Somerset men’s fine end to the previous season cementing a third consecutive year in National One.

Fixtures will be released in due course.