With the 2021-22 season barely a month behind us, attention turns to 2022-23 and the rugby landscape post Adult Competition Review. For those unaware, the ACR has been a major shake-up of the league structure which has seen the pyramid flattened and broadened - National 2 expanded from 2 (16 team leagues) to 3 (14 team) leagues, Regional Premier Leagues from 4 (14 team leagues) to 6 (12 team leagues) and Level 6 (at which the 1XV play) expanded from 8 (14 team leagues) to 12 (12 team leagues) with further additional alterations lower down the pyramid. For a detailed explanation click through here - League Structure and Leagues for 2022/2023

In practical terms for the 1XV it means we say goodbye to London Welsh, Camberley and Medway (all promoted) and to Hammersmith & Fulham, London Cornish and London Irish Amateur (level transferred) whilst staying the same are Chichester, Farnham, Guildford, Horsham, Battersea Ironsides and Cobham. Joining the league are Beckenham, Dartfordians, Gravesend and Old Colfeians who were all promoted from L2SE, whilst Old Reigatian come up from L2SW. The league is no longer London 1 South, but is now Regional 2 South East.

Most names on the roster will be familiar to readers, certainly the Surrey clubs and Hampshire's sole representative Chichester. Horsham is a club we have come to know since 2019-20 when they were promoted to L1S at the same time the 1XV were. So far King's have won both encounters, something Horsham will doubtless be keen to change in 22-23. Beckenham also came up that season although their stay was to last just one year as they were relegated alongside Dartfordians. We enjoyed close games with both especially in the second half of the season, winning away 31-32 and 31-33 at Balmoral Avenue and Bourne Road respectively. Old Colfeians we have played in pre-season matches in recent years but not competitive fixtures, whilst Gravesend will be new opposition with the clubs not having seen one another at all, at least not in the modern era. It is set to be an exciting league and we shall look forward to visiting old friends and new, and of course welcoming visitors to Motspur Park.

Meanwhile, the 2XV league has also been announced. Fewer changes here as the 2s remain in the Surrey Championship (the second tier of reserve rugby in the county) and will be reunited with Reeds 2s, Battersea Ironsides 3s, Cobham 2s, Chobham 2s, Guildford 2s, Rosslyn Park Nomads and Old Reigatian 2s. Joining the league are Warlingham, Old Tiffinians, Old Haileyburians and Weybridge Vandals (all 2XVs). Departing are Law Society 2XV.

Last season the league campaign was won by Battersea with Reeds taking the play-offs as King's finished 4th in the table (behind Chobham) and runners-up in the play-offs. With the addition of four new sides the league will be tougher again as the fixture list swells to 22 matches so clubs will need to be at their best for longer to sustain a challenge.

More details will follow in due course regarding fixtures, but the season will start for the Senior sides on 3rd September - exactly 100 days from now!