CHARD Rugby Club have confirmed they will play their 1st XV fixtures in Western Counties West next season, following relegation from South West 1 last term.

The other teams in this division are Burnham-on-Sea, Crediton, Devonport Services, Falmouth, Kingsbridge, Paignton, St Ives, St Austell, Sidmouth, Tiverton, Torquay, Truro and Wadebridge.

Chard will open their campaign with a fixture at home to Truro on Saturday, September 2, with the match kicking off at 3pm.

There are, therefore, many very attractive fixtures in this league and the standard is unlikely to be any different from last season.

Therefore, Chard will have to be on the ball from the off, especially away from home, which was no doubt their Achilles’ heel last season.

The fixtures are mainly in Devon and Cornwall, with Burnham the only team from Somerset they will face in the division.

Chard could have been put into Western Counties North, which would have entailed many trips to the Gloucester and Cheltenham area but, in the end, the league placing is dependent on all the promotion and relegation issues from the past season.

As it is, Western Counties West will mean eight relatively short trips to the Devon clubs and Burnham, as well as four further away in Cornwall.

Chard have played competitive games against several of these clubs before, but coming up against Crediton, Devonport Services, Tiverton, Falmouth and Torquay will be new experiences for the club.

Chard 2nd XV will again be in Somerset Division 2 South, and start with an away match against Wiveliscombe on September 2.

The 3rd XV are again in Somerset 3 South, and their fixtures do not start until Saturday, September 16.

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CHARD RFC will be showing all of the Lions matches in New Zealand on the big screen.

Warren Gatland’s men face the All Blacks on June 24, July 1 and July 8.

The club will be open from 8am and all are welcome.