The 2023/24 National One season is upon us as we travel to Chinnor on the opening weekend. After a strong pre-season, DMP will be looking to start the season on the front foot at the same venue where they finished the 2022/23 campaign.

Saturday's hosts finished last season in 8th, 10 points ahead of Mowden Park in 10th. The two sides boasted similar records last time out, with Chinnor notching 2 more wins across the 26 game season. The Oxfordshire outfit have recruited strongly over the summer, with former Mowden players George Stokes and Morgan Passman signing up for 2023/24. Nick Easter's side rounded off their pre-season preparations with an impressive win over newly promoted Cambridge last weekend, and will provide a tough test for Mowden's first league outing this season.

Mowden meanwhile have also seen a strong influx of new players over the summer, with a youthful squad winning 2 of their 3 pre-season games in August. Wins against Hawick and Hull were punctuated with a narrow loss against National One rivals Birmingham Moseley. Asked about Friday's pre-season win over Hull, Forwards Coach Joe Cain said: "All the lads enjoyed Friday night lights against Hull and we feel it has put us in a good place and prepared us well for Chinnor this weekend. I thought at times we played some fantastic rugby and scored some great tries, and credit to Hull they kept coming at us for the whole 80 minutes."

The two sides have met on 7 occasions previously, with Mowden edging the head-to-head by 4 wins to 3. Last season saw both meetings won by the respective home side, with Mowden taking a 23-16 win at the Arena on opening weekend and Chinnor ending the season with a 38-29 victory back in April.

Asked about the challenge meeting them in round 1, Cain added: "Chinnor will be a massive season opener this weekend, they will be in a similar spot to us with regards to new signing coming in, but we can’t wait to get on the road and hopefully kick this new season off with a win."

For live updates from Saturday's game please follow Chinnor's social media accounts.

Address for Travelling Supporters:

Chinnor RFC, Kingsey Rd, Thame, OX9 3JL

Around The League:

National One kicks off with some intriguing clashes in round 1. Newly promoted Sedgley Park host Richmond in their first National One clash, with fellow promoted side Leicester Lions hosting Sale. Blackheath travel to Taunton on their return to the third tier, while Plymouth visit Rosslyn Park. After a third place finish last season Rams host Moseley, and perhaps the tie of the round sees Bishop's Stortford welcome Cinderford to Silver Leys after just 2 points separated the two sides last season.

Bishops Stortford v Cinderford
Chinnor v Darlington Mowden Park
Leicester Lions v Sale FC
Rams v Birmingham Moseley
Rosslyn Park v Plymouth Albion
Sedgley Park v Richmond
Taunton v Blackheath