DEVONPORT Services have been handed a tough start to life back in National Two West with matches against much-fancied Taunton Titans and Redruth in their opening two matches.
Newly-promoted Services will kick-off their season with a trip up the M5 to play Taunton on September 5 before hosting Cornish side Redruth at the Rectory the following week.
They will then make the long trip to Cheshire to take on fellow league newcomers Lymm before ending September with a home match against Hinkley.
Services will warm-up for their return to level four with pre-season matches against Brixham and Exmouth.
Head coach Ben Russell has appointed a new coaching set-up for 2026-27 with Matt Gregory and Shaun Crawford officially joining the backroom set-up at the Rectory.
Gregory called time on his playing career in April after making more than 350 appearances for the club, but he has now become the club’s new forwards coach, while Crawford, who still intends to play, is the new backs coach.
“Gregs (Matt Gregory) is going to be assistant coach and forwards coach and also run the second team on a Saturday,” said Russell. “That will be brilliant for the club and those (second team) lads as they will actually have a coach on the touchline all season for the first time.
“He is vastly experienced and done it all for Services. The boys respect him and he will be very good for them.
“He wants to start his coaching journey off properly and see where he gets.
“Shaun comes on board as our official backs coach this year. He’s a very intelligent rugby player and got a good rugby mind. He understands how we want to play and he also understands that there are other things that need to be worked on with the backs. The boys respect him as well.
“I’m very excited as having these two on board at the start of the year frees me up to do more individual coaching and working on specific skill sets. I’ll be able to take small groups away.”
Services have a few of their successful second team squad from last season, with Aiden Taylor, Matt Neyle and Al Thomas all returning to Plymstock Oaks.
They have also lost first-team back-rower Bertie Fordham who is joining their league rivals Taunton, while he spends a year on placement at Taunton Hospital.
“He would have loved to have stayed but he can’t be travelling up and down from Taunton,” said Russell.
But Services, who are staying amateur despite their promotion to the National League, are hoping to bring in some new young players.
They have confirmed the arrival of Royal Marine second-row Shaun Crouch and are expected to announce some more new faces soon.
“The lads we are looking to bring to the club are all young players who really want to kick on,” said Russell.
Meanwhile, Ivybridge will start their Regional Two South West season with a home Devon derby against Teignmouth on September 12. They will then travel to league newcomers Nailsea & Backwell the following week.
Devonport Services II will kick-off life in Western West with an away trip to Truro before hosting old rivals Barnstaple II on September 12.
In the same division, Saltash, who have appointed Craig Jones as their new head coach, will start their season with a home match against Paignton before entertaining Redruth II at Moorlands Lane.
In Counties Two Devon, Plymstock Oaks have been handed a tough start with a home match against likely title rivals Honiton before they visit their near neighbours OPMs, who start their campaign at Brixham II.
OPMs are currently looking for a new head coach after James Digweed stood down at the end of the season.
Tavistock, who just escaped relegation last season, will host Exeter Saracens in their opening match on September 12 before visiting Topsham II.
In Counties Three Devon South & West, relegated Ivybridge II will visit neighbours Plymouth Argaum on the opening day of the campaign before facing another derby the following week against Tamar Saracens, who will start their season with a home match against Torquay Athletic II.
Old Techs will visit Kingsbridge II on the opening day before hosting Totnes, while Plympton Victoria will start their campaign with an away trip to Salcombe and then a derby game against Argaum.