3^rd September

The highlight of the opening day of the 2005/06 season is a West Country derby between Lydney and newly promoted Cinderford at Regentsholme. Cinderford return to the National Leagues after a three season break for their second ever season at this level.

Back in the 2001/02 season Lydney did the double over Cinderford including a 20-12 opening day win at Regentsholme.

PREDICTION: Home advantage to count with Lydney six point winners, but it is a derby match and could go either way.  

Relegated Rosslyn Park start their climb back into National Two with a tough match away at Old Patesians a side capable of beating anybody at Everest Road.

Last seasons Champions, Barking, were beaten at Everest Road last season before going 20 matches unbeaten till the end of the season.

Back in the 2002/03 season Park were well beaten at Old Patesians 39-18 late in the season having won 49-13 at home earlier in the season.  

PREDICTION: Park to start with an away win at Everest Road. 

London One Champions Cambridge open their first ever season of National League rugby with a home match against Reading. These sides last met in the Powergen Cup in the 2003/04 season when Cambridge with home advantage were 23-20 winners.

PREDICTION: Cambridge to get off to a wining start by 10 points.

Bridgwater & Albion are back in the National Leagues after a five season absence and have a tough opening day fixture at Havant.

These two sides last met in the 1997/98 season when Havant did the double over Albion including a 9-8 home win and then later in the season they were 21-10 winners at Bath Road.

PREDICTION: Don't know much about Bridgwater's summer transfers so going in blind on this one - home win by six points.

North Walsham after their disappointing end to last season open with a home fixture against Southend who were one of the sides to win at Scottow last season so the Norfolk side will be out to reverse that result.

PREDICTION: North Walsham to start with an eight point home win over Southend.  

Relegated Bracknell are back in this division after six years at a higher level and travel to Dings Crusaders for their first ever league meeting.  

PREDICTION: Dings did well at home last season and after a summer of recuitment will go with home win as Bracknell have lost a number of key players.

Hertford, last seasons surprise side in National Three South, open, their second season of National league rugby with a home match against Westcombe Park. Combe are now the second longest side in the division now as they enter their seventh season since winning promotion back in 1999/2000.  

PREDICTION: Home win for Hertford by eight points on the opening weekend of action.