So it has all come down to this. After a compact opening phase, in which the best sides from the North and South emerged across two divisions, the lines in the sand were drawn. The 4 pools were formed, each with different intentions. The Champions Pool, where the creme-de-la-creme found a home. Pool B, full of Division 2’s greatest threats to the order of Div 1. Pool C, where top-tier sides fought to retain their place at the table and Pool D, where the newest members of ACE could continue to develop. Now, in the final round, there are still spots to be secured in every pool, and promotion and relegation next year is still on the line.
Pool A
Hartpury v Oaklands and Beechen v Loughborough
ACE! Camera! Action! Both of these games will be live-streamed at the very same time, so you don’t miss a minute of any of the decisive action, as as maiden champion may be crowned. Read the full preview, and find the links to both streams here:
https://nextgenxv.com/2025/12/01/live-rugby-beechen-v-loughborough-and-hartpury-v-oaklands-the-rfu-ace-boys-league-double-header/
Gordon’s v Gosforth.
We must not forget the two other sides who play tomorrow in Pool A, even though the defending champions and the side with a perfect record in the northern tier are both out of the running. Defeats last week, to Oaklands and Hartpury respectively, have ended any title ambitions, but Gordons will be hoping to finish the season on a high after improving in the second stage. Gosforth, with their Red Bull boys on full show, will be tough to contain at The Cage.
Pool B
Moulton v SGS
Moulton will be desperate to finish the season with a positive record, currently sitting on 2 wins and 2 losses, when they take on SGS, who travel East, hoping to jump above Moulton into third. That would complete a southern clean sweep in spots 1, 2 and 3, so Moulten are also flying the flag for the Northern tier that they wish to join next season.
Bishop Wand v Exeter
This might be the biggest game in the pool this week. Exeter, undefeated, are the upstarts, looking to crack into the top tier after relegation last season. They take on Bishop Wand, who top the current table, due to one of Exeter’s previous fixtures being postponed. Exeter on the road are a different outfit when sides are not forced to walk into Mordor to play them, but they are an outstanding outfit. One more win, this time over one of the best teams from the south, and their place in the top tier next season will be confirmed.
Stourport v Coventry
The bottom two sides in the pool both have a chance to finish the season on a positive note. Coventry, despite performing fantastically well in Div 2, are still winless after 4 games, and would love to get some points on the board before next season. Stourport, who were one of the best teams from the north last season, could really do with a win, and should be the favourites at home in this one.
Pool C
Bede v Truro
It is the undisputed longest away day in ACE for Truro, who trek north to Newcastle in search of a fantastic unbeaten second stage. Bede have looked bright at times, as debutants in the ACE competition, but Truro will be heavy favourites if they can get their travel right. It is the top scorers in the pool against its leakiest defence, so tries should be expected.
Cardinal Newman v Myerscough
Winless Myerscough prop up the pool, and have one last chance to chase down Bede before inevitable relegation. Cardinal Newman, with a win and a draw to their name, could yet stave off relegation if they grab a win on home soil. Hove has been a happier hunting ground for the hosts this year, but they will need to be at their best to avoid more late drama, as the narrow margins have not always left Newman in the black come the final whistle this season.
City Of Oxford v Bishop Burton
Burton grabbed another win at home last week, while Oxford sit in third place behind them in the table. The winner of this one will secure second place, which gives the game that extra edge. This could be a close game, but if Oxford fires on all cylinders, they should have enough in the tank to put the Yorkshiremen to bed. However, while inconsistent in stage 1, Burton have found a home in Pool C and have been in great form of late.
Pool D
Ashton on Mersey v Wath
Wath are the hosts this time, for yet another new northern Derby. Wath came out on top the last time these sides did meet, but fixtures have been few and far between for these sides, who would love to finish the season with another important game in their development under their belt.
Peter Symonds v Richard Huish
PeterSymon travels to Bristol for the second time this season to face their local rivals. The last few games between these sides have been settled by only a couple of points on either side, so one expects another close fixture. Peter Symonds is currently comfortably top of the pool and could finish best of the rest with another win, but it will be by a narrow margin if it does come their way.
You can find the full fixture list and last week’s results via the NextGenRugby Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, or via the RFU website, found through this Link: https://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/search-results?competition=1664&season=2025-2026&division=66041#fixtures
