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The 2026–27 National League 2 East is the fifth season of the fourth-tier (east) of the English domestic men's rugby union competitions; one of three at this level. The others are National League 2 North and National League 2 West.
Structure The league consists of fourteen teams who play the others on a home and away basis, to make a total of 26 matches each. The champions are promoted to National League 1 while the runner-up goes into the four team National 2 play-offs with the runners-up from National League 2 North and National League 2 West and the 11th placed side in National League 1.
The bottom two teams are relegated to Regional 1 South Central or Regional 1 South East, while the 12th placed side goes into the four team Regional 1 play-offs with the 12th placed sides from National League 2 North and National League 2 West, as well as the Regional 1 play-off winners.
The results of the matches contribute points to the league as follows: 4 points are awarded for a win 2 points are awarded for a draw 0 points are awarded for a loss, however 1 losing (bonus) point is awarded to a team that loses a match by 7 points or fewer 1 additional (bonus) point is awarded to a team scoring 4 tries or more in a match.
Participating teams and locations Departing were champions Bury St Edmunds promoted to National League One. Runner-up Oundle defeated Tynedale of National League North but missed out on promotion when they lost the accession final to Birmingham Moseley. Also departing were Sevenoaks (13th) and Oxford Harlequins (14th) relegated to Regional 1 South East and Regional 1 Midlands respectively. Henley Hawks (12th) avoided relegation winning their play-off final against Tunbridge Wells of Regional 1 South Central.
Joining the league were Colchester promoted from Regional 1 South East as champions together with Jersey promoted from Regional 1 South Central while Leicester Lions were relegated from National League 1
TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season Barnes Barn Elms 1,000 Barnes, London 4th Canterbury Marine Travel Ground 1,500 (75 seats) Canterbury, Kent 5th Colchester Raven Park 1,200 Colchester, Essex Promoted from Regional 1 South East Dorking The Big Field 1,500 Dorking, Surrey 6th Esher Molesey Road 3,500 Hersham, Surrey 11th Guernsey Raiders Footes Lane 5,000 (720 seats) Saint Peter Port, Guernsey 10th Havant Hook's Lane 1,500 (500 seats) Havant, Hampshire 8th Henley Hawks Dry Leas 4,000 Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire 12th Jersey St Peter Saint Peter, Jersey Promoted from Regional 1 South Central Leicester Lions Westleigh Park 2,000 Blaby, Leicestershire Relegated from National League 1 (14th) London Welsh Old Deer Park 5,850 (1,000 seats) Richmond, London 9th Old Albanian Woollam's Playing Fields 1,000 St Albans, Hertfordshire 3rd Oundle Occupation Road 1,000 Oundle, Northamptonshire 2nd Westcombe Park Goddington Dene 3,200 (200 seats) Orpington, London 7th
League table
Fixtures & results
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Attendances
Does not include promotion/relegation play-offs.
ClubHome GamesTotalAverageHighestLowest% CapacityBarnes000000%Canterbury000000%Colchester000000%Dorking000000%Esher000000%Guernsey Raiders000000%Havant000000%Henley Hawks000000%Jersey000000%Leicester Lions000000%London Welsh000000%Old Albanian000000%Oundle000000%Westcombe Park000000%
Individual statistics
Does not include promotion/relegation play-offs.
Top points scorers Rank Player Team Points 1 Mathew Branfield Barnes 15 Rian Hamilton Oundle 3 Elliot Mcphun Old Albanian 14 4 Max Brown Westcombe Park 13 5 Jamie Annand Oundle 11 Matthew Dalrymple Esher Lewis Hollidge Canterbury
Top try scorers Rank Player Team Tries 1 Mathew Branfield Barnes 3 Rian Hamilton Oundle 3 Twelve players2
See also 2026–27 Champ Rugby 2026–27 National League 1 2026–27 National League 2 North 2026–27 National League 2 West
References
External links NCA Rugby