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# Lichfield prepare to open campaign with away test
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/lichfield-prepare-to-open-campaign-with-away-test/
- Published: 2026-09-24T12:10:08.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-24T12:10:08.000Z
- Description: Trip to Newport (Salop) for Paul Hurst's men.
- Author: David Lewis
- Tags: Sport

AFTER a delayed start to the season, Lichfield eventually open their campaign with an away trip to Newport (Salop) this weekend.

The squad has had an unbeaten series of warm-up games, although their 2nd XV did lose last weekend to a strong Manor Park team.

There were a number of positives in their pre-season matches as coaches Paul Hurst and Tom Hughes attempt to develop the style of play, which brought them a sixth-placed finish in Midlands Premier 1 last season.

[ ](#) 

At this stage, there have been no external additions to the squad. However, Hurst will be looking to utilise some of the talent from the recent successful Colts teams.

The weekend away day at Newport on Saturday (26th September) will kick off at 3pm.

The 2nd XV will also have a testing season ahead of them. They are still playing at a similar level to 2025-26, but have been transferred to a league featuring sides based around the Coventry area.

They start at home on Saturday facing Shipston-on-Stour 2nds at 3pm.

On Sunday, the club’s two women’s teams also start their league programmes at level 2 and 4 nationally in the pyramid.

The 1sts face an experienced Cheltenham side at home at 2.30pm. The Lichfield squad sees a few new faces, but have also lost some of their talent, mainly as a result of students moving away from the area.

The 2nds travel to nearby Cannock to start their efforts to improve on second place last season.

Both the boys under-16s and under-15s start their county cup journeys in the morning, the former at home to Telford and the latter at Wolverhampton. Both fixtures kick off at 11am.

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