RUGBY RETURNING

» Fixtures are unveiled for 2021-22 campaign as clubs get ready for league action after a season’s break

» DRYBROOK and Old Centralians will clash on the opening day of the new South West Premier rugby season on September 4.

The sides are the two county representatives in the highest level outside the National Leagues and their meetings will top and tail the season, with the return at Saintbridge on April 23.

There is also a derby clash to open the South West One West season, with Old Patesians travelling to Regentsholme to face Lydney.

Newent open their campaign with a home game against North Petherton, while Stroud, promoted from Western Counties North, are away to Crediton.

Old Pats’ first home game is also a derby, as they host Newent on September 11, while Lydney go to Stroud on September 25, then Stroud are at Newent on October 2.

Pats host Stroud at Everest Road on October 23 with Lydney and Newent meeting at Regentsholme on December 4 and Newent host Old Pats on December 18.

Stow-on-the-wold open their Southern Counties North season on September 25 with a trip to Gosford All Blacks and their opening home game is against neighbours Shipston-on-stour on October 2.

There are five county sides in Western Counties North, with Spartans opening the season at Barton Hill on September 4, while Cheltenham host Old Bristolians.

Matson are away at Chipping Sodbury and Chosen Hill FP host Gordano and Cheltenham North are at home to Midsomer Norton.

There will be plenty of derby games during the campaign, with the first on September 11 as Matson host Chosen Hill and Cheltenham travel to Spartans.

The Gloucestershire Premier season starts on September 25 as Ross-on-wye go to Bristol Saracens and Cheltenham Saracens host Old Richians.

Old Cryptians travel across the city to Coney Hill and Longlevens face Dings Crusaders II at Lockleaze while Hucclecote go to Frampton Cotterell.

Berry Hill face Widden Old Boys in their Gloucestershire One North opener on September 25, while Brockworth host Smiths, Matson II go to Cirencester, Drybrook II host Gordon League and Gloucester Old Boys are at Fairford with an all-second XV clash between Chosen Hill and Old Centralians.

Dursley start their Gloucestershire One South season on September 25 at home to Ashley Down Old Boys, while Bream go to St Brendan’s Old Boys and Lydney II are at home to United Bristol Hospitals.

Gloucestershire Two North opens with Bredon Star at home to Westbury-on-severn on September 25, while Cheltenham Civil Service host Tewkesbury and Painswick are at Minchinhampton.

Newent’s second XV meet their Old Patesians counterparts with Cheltenham II going to face Norton and Old Cryptians II hosting Stroud II.

The full fixtures can be found at https://www.swrugby.co.uk/latest-news