Bath Ladies to travel for opener, promoted United get home start

Bath Rugby Ladies will open their Women’s Championship South 1 campaign with a trip to promoted South East London club Beckenham Ladies on Sunday 20th September.

Promoted Bath Ladies United will compete in a league covering Cornwall to Surrey in 2026-27. They will play here at Devon’s Cullompton Ladies on Sunday 13th December | Photo © Richard Briggs

Beckenham won the Women’s Championship South East 2 title in 2025-26, securing 13 wins from 14 league matches.

The Blue, Black & White – who finished seventh in the 10-team Women’s Championship South 1 last season – will play their first home game on Sunday 27th September, when Essex outfit Thurrock Ladies provide the opposition.

Bath will take on another promoted team – last season’s Women’s Championship South West 2 winners Ivybridge Women – in Round 3, the sides meeting in Devon on Sunday 11th October.

Derbies against North Bristol Ladies will take place at home on Sunday 22nd November and away on Sunday 21st February.

A visit from Beckenham will wrap up the Blue, Black & White’s term on Sunday 21st March.

Bath Ladies’ 2026-27 league fixtures:

September: 20th Beckenham Ladies (A), 27th Thurrock Ladies (H).

October: 11th Ivybridge Women (A), 18th Richmond Women (A).

November: 1st Old Albanian Saints (H), 8th Exeter University Women (A), 22nd North Bristol Ladies (H), 29th Trojans Women (A).

December: 13th London Irish Ladies (H), 20th Thurrock Ladies (A).

January: 10th Ivybridge Women (H), 17th Richmond Women (H), 31st Old Albanian Saints (A).

February: 7th Exeter University Women (H), 21st North Bristol Ladies (A), 28th Trojans Women (H).

March: 14th London Irish Ladies (A), 21st Beckenham Ladies (H).

Promoted Bath Ladies United will play in Women’s Championship South West 2 during 2026-27 – and they have been given home advantage in their opener.

United, who bagged the Women’s NC 1 South West (East) championship last term, will entertain Surrey’s Guildford Gazelles Ladies in Round 1 on 20th September.

A trip to London Irish Ladies 2nd XV will follow on 27th September.

Bath’s other opponents in the 10-team division will be Cheltenham Tigers Women 2nd XV, Cullompton Ladies, Havant Women, Henley Women, Launceston Ladies, Newbury Women and Okehampton Women.

Bath Ladies United’s 2026-27 league fixtures:

September: 20th Guildford Gazelles Ladies (H), 27th London Irish Ladies 2nd XV (A).

October: 11th Havant Women (H), 18th Newbury Women (A).

November: 1st Cheltenham Tigers Women 2nd XV (H), 8th Launceston Ladies (A), 22nd Henley Women (H), 29th Okehampton Women (H).

December: 13th Cullompton Ladies (A), 20th London Irish Ladies 2nd XV (H).

January: 10th Havant Women (A), 17th Newbury Women (H), 31st Cheltenham Tigers Women 2nd XV (A).

February: 14th Launceston Ladies (H), 28th Henley Women (A).

March: 14th Okehampton Women (A).

April: 4th Cullompton Ladies (H), 11th Guildford Gazelles Ladies (A).