Pwllheli’s consistency in recent seasons has marked them out as the team to beat in the north. As well as winning the title in the past two seasons they finished as the runners-up in 2014 and 2013.
Last season’s runners-up also start at home, against newly-promoted Bro Ffestiniog, while the Division 2 North champions Colwyn Bay start at Ruthin. All clubs in Wales start their season this weekend with National Division games from Division 1 to Division 3 in 23 leagues underpinning the Principality Premiership and the National Championship.
The Division One West season kicks-off with two newly-promoted sides, Aberystwyth and Penclawdd, meeting at Plascrug. Aberystwyth came out on top by two points over their visitors in the battle for the Division 2 West title last season.
The two teams fought out two epic battles in the league last season. Penclawdd won 24-7 at home, but were beaten 25-18 at this weekend’s venue on 2 April as Aberystwyth went on to complete a clean sweep of their home fixtures. Crymch host Waunarlwydd, who narrowly missed out on promotion to the Championship last season.
The rise up through the ranks of one of Welsh rugby’s great rugby names, Abertillery, continues and Abertillery BG will travel to Risca in Division 1 East with high ambitions this season having captured the Division 2 East title earlier in the year with only one defeat in 22 matches. They won the Division 3 East title in 2013 having been promoted from the fourth division in 2010.
Caerleon were promoted with them and they kick-off at Nelson, where former Dragons and Wales second row Andrew Coombs is now part of the coaching team. In Division 1 East Central, Llanharan will launch their bid to return to the Championship, where they played for the past four seasons, at home against Llantwit Fardre.
Llanharan only won once last season and will be looking for a positive start, while newly promoted Porth Harlequins head to Treorchy. Former Wales and Ospreys stars Ian Evans and Andrew Bishop have joined the Treorchy coaching team this season.
National Leagues
Division 1 East
Blaenavon v Penallta
Nantyglo v Brecon
Nelson v Caerleon (P)
Rhydyfelin v Brynmawr
Risca v Abertillery BG (P)
Senghenydd v Ynysybwl
Division 1 East Central
Heol y Cyw v Rumney
Llanharan (R) v Llantwit Fardre
Rhiwbina v Dowlais (P)
St. Joseph’s v Mountain Ash
Treorchy v Porth Harlequins (P)
Ystrad Rhondda v Cardiff Quins
Division 1 West
Aberystwyth (P) v Penclawdd (P)
Crymych v Waunarlwydd
Gowerton v Kidwelly
Llangennech v Gorseinon
Loughor v Llanelli Wanderers
Whitland v Felinfoel
Division 1 West Central
Aberavon Quins (P) v Builth Wells
Bridgend Athletic (R) v Bonymaen
Maesteg Harlequins v Kenfig Hill
Maesteg v Trebanos
Seven Sisters v Cwmllynfell (P)
Ystalyfera v Ammanford
Division 1 North
Mold v Llandudno
Ruthin v Colwyn Bay (P)
Abergele v Caernarfon
Bala v COBRA
Bro Ffestiniog (P) v Nant Conwy
Pwllheli v Bethesda
(P) = Promoted teams
(R) = Relgated teams
