Promoted Melton RFC face Leighton Buzzard in season opener

Following back-to-back promotions and championships, the First XV kick off their season at Burton Road on Saturday, September 3.

They will be one of just two Leicestershire sides in the division - which forms the second tier of Midlands rugby - alongside Lutterworth who came up with Melton in a promotion play-off. The two will meet in week two on Saturday, September 10.

The new campaign will bring four more games than last season for Gareth Collins in a bigger 14-team league.

Fixtures – Sat Sept 3 Leighton Buzzard (H); Sat Sept 10 Lutterworth (A); Sat Sept 17 Market Rasen and Louth (H); Sat Sept 24 Wellingborough (H); Sat Oct 1 Newbold-on-Avon (A); Sat Oct 8 Northampton Old Scouts (H); Sat Oct 22 Old Northamptonians (A); Sat Oct 29 Paviors (H); Sat Nov 5 Bugbrooke (A); Sat Nov 19 Dronfield (H); Sat Nov 26 Huntingdon and District (A); Sat Dec 3 Ilkeston (H); Sat Dec 10 Kettering (A); Sat Dec 17 Lutterworth (H); Sat Jan 7 Market Rasen and Louth (A); Sat Jan 14 Wellingborough (A); Sat Jan 21 Newbold on Avon (H); Sat Jan 28 Northampton Old Scouts (A); Sat Feb 11 Old Northamptonians (H); Sat Feb 18 Paviors (A); Sat Mar 4 Bugbrooke (H); Sat Mar 11 Dronfield (A); Sat Mar 25 Huntington and District (H); Sat Apr 1 Ilkeston (A); Sat Apr 8 Kettering (H); Sat Apr 22 Leighton Buzzard (A).