The countdown to the new National Two West season is officially underway, with the fixture list now confirmed for the 2026/27 campaign. As the Barnstaple Chiefs gear up for what promises to be a landmark year, preparations are already in full swing—pre-season training kicks off on 1st July, and excitement is building both on and off the pitch.
This season carries added significance as Barnstaple Rugby Football Club proudly celebrates its 150th anniversary—a historic milestone that will be marked with a spectacular home fixture schedule and a series of special events throughout the year. And if the fixture list is anything to go by, supporters are in for a rollercoaster ride filled with local bragging rights, fierce rivalries, and high-stakes drama.
At the heart of the action are four tantalising Devon Derbies, which are sure to draw bumper crowds and ignite passions across the county. The Chiefs will lock horns twice with Exeter University and twice with newly promoted Devonport Services, ensuring that local pride is on the line right from the opening weekend.
The season opener on 5th September could hardly be more daunting. The Chiefs travel to face Exeter University in the first of those derbies—a notoriously tricky assignment, given that the Buccs traditionally field their strongest available squad in the early weeks, before the University’s own internal competition gets underway. It’s a fixture that has caught many sides off guard in the past, and Barnstaple will need to be at their sharpest from the very first whistle.
From there, the challenges come thick and fast. The following weekend sees the Chiefs return to Pottington Road for their home opener against Taunton Titans—a side they’ll be eager to get one over on after last season’s encounters. And if that wasn’t enough, a trip to Redruth in round three completes a brutal opening trilogy, with the Cornish side sure to view the Chiefs as a major scalp on their own patch.
But the drama doesn’t stop there. Barnstaple will once again contest the John Budd Trophy against Clifton, who return to National Two West following their relegation from National 1. The trophy’s status remains to be confirmed, but the fixture itself carries plenty of historical weight and competitive edge. Clifton, along with fellow promoted side Bournville RFC, will provide stern tests throughout the season—both clubs are familiar foes, and both will be determined to make their mark.
The festive period brings an early Christmas treat for Chiefs fans, with the second Devon Derby against Devonport Services taking place at Pottington Road on 5th December. It’s an ideal opportunity to send the home crowd into the holiday season with cheer, before the side heads out on the road for back-to-back away fixtures against Hornets and Taunton to close out the calendar year.
If the start of the season is a gauntlet, the finish is a celebration. The Chiefs are set to enjoy a perfect finale, with two consecutive home weekends to round off the campaign. On 10th April, they welcome Hornets to Pottington Road, before bringing the curtain down on the regular season in style on 17th April with a final Devon Derby showdown against Exeter University—a fitting way to cap off both the season and a historic anniversary year.
With a testing schedule, local rivalries reignited, and the weight of 150 years of history behind them, the Barnstaple Chiefs have every reason to approach the new season with ambition and optimism. The road ahead is tough, but the stage is set for a truly memorable campaign.
Come and be part of history—this is one season you won’t want to miss.
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