East Leake Rugby Club

03/09/2026

**Pre-Season Friendly**

This Saturday ELRFC Men’s XV take on Oakham RFC in a preseason friendly at Oakham.

It’s the first opportunity for new head coach Demetrius Gonsalves to steer his men in the 26/27 season.

A standout squad at near full strength travels down the M1 for a 14:30 kick off.

A new look back three sees 2024/25 season first choice Fly Half George Mulligan start on the wing, and Philip Rowbottom lends his broad shoulders to the front row in changed pack.

Last seasons top try scorer Harry Nassau (not listed) is a last minute addition to the match day squad, after passing injury protocols

A big start to the final stages of seasonal prep is on its way.

We Rise

01/09/2026

We’ve also got some wonderful businesses sponsoring players this season, with some returning for a second season, and some players bringing a new company on board.

01/09/2026

SPONSORSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

We are pleased to share some details of some of our Squad who have been and got a personal Sponsorship for the coming season.

The below players have been sponsored by some of our generous VP’s

A massive thank you to all our sponsors who make rugby accessible on our village

31/08/2026

It’s Game Week,

We’re on the road this weekend for our first pre season fixture and it’s a double header.

We will be facing both Oakham RFC and a Oundle RFC Development XV. In two separate fixtures both being held at Oakham RFC.

A great test for the lads as they prepare for Counties 3 rugby for the first time.

Kick off in the first fixture is 2:30 with the second fixture later in the afternoon.

Hope to see you touch line on Saturday

30/08/2026

Welcome on Board Champions UK PLC

25/08/2026

24/08/2026

First weekend of Rugby of the season in the bag.

A tough test of 10’s Rugby against some well established teams, a few levels above us in the pyramid.

Well done to all of our players. And a thank you to all involved in organising a great day.

20/08/2026

Minutes in the Legs for the first time this season.

And it’s all for a great cause.

We are extremely well represented this weekend, down the road in Quorn for Robbie’s Rugby Festival. As a few of the squad will be playing in a 10’s festival. Raising money for the Robbie Anderson Cancer Trust.

Please keep an eye on our story’s through the day for updates on how the lads are getting on.

14/08/2026

Official Announcement

After careful consideration and consultation with clubs across England, the RFU has decided to delay the start of the competitive community game season until the week commencing Monday 21 September.

The RFU recognises this will be disappointing for clubs, players and volunteers who have been preparing for the new season, but the decision follows consideration of a range of factors. For full details please follow this link.

https://www.englandrugby.com/follow/news-and-media/statement-start-competitive-community-rugby-season

14/08/2026

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Thanks to Grassroots Pulse for always keeping everyone well informed.

For clarity our games
Away at Haimians
And
Home to Dronfield

Will be moved to a later date in the season

🚨 BREAKING: The start of the community game season has been delayed.

The RFU has confirmed tonight that the competitive community game season across England will be delayed by two weeks. This affects every club in the Midlands pyramid from Regional 1 to Counties 4.

Here's what you need to know.

The season now starts the week commencing 21 September, not 12 September as planned. All fixtures scheduled for 12 and 19 September are postponed and will be rearranged by Regional Organising Committees.

Why? The drought. Over 70% of England is now officially in drought conditions with no meaningful rain forecast. No region in the country is currently at "normal" status. The RFU has taken the decision on three grounds, player welfare on hard pitches, competition integrity, and giving clubs planning certainty now rather than a last minute call.

The important details:

Friendlies can still go ahead where conditions allow, with a full risk assessment, so pre-season rugby isn't cancelled, and the two week delay may actually give conditions time to improve for warm-up games.

Training continues, with modified contact guidance on hard ground.

The November break is expected to remain in place, and the RFU expects the programme to catch up by Christmas or early New Year. The season will not be extended.

The National Leagues (Levels 3 and 4) are exempt and may play, due to irrigated pitches and their longer fixture programme.

This will be disappointing for clubs, players and volunteers who've spent all summer preparing. But the decision has been made with player safety at its heart, and the certainty of a confirmed date is better than a moving target.

We have the full breakdown, including age grade competitions and what it means level by level, on the website Link in comments.

Our thanks to Chris at RFU Council for making sure the Midlands grassroots community got this news quickly.