Following Horsham 1st XV’s promotion into London 2 South East the fixtures for 2015/16 have now been released, providing the opportunity to reacquaint with several clubs not faced at this higher level for many years.

The first game on 19 September is a testing journey to old foes Tunbridge Wells followed a week later by a home fixture against Old Colfeians.

The Green and Whites then make the trip to Bexley on 3 October to face fellow promoted side Dartfordians. Horsham do not face any Sussex rivals until they travel to Hove on 24 October.

Horsham coach Nick Stocker said “This is a tough away trip to start with against potentially one of the league contenders and offers an opportunity to gauge where we are at immediately!

The new level is a little leap into the unknown but the team is most definitely up for the challenge and are out to cause a few shocks. Preseason training starts in early July.”

Horsham 2nd XV, known as the Lions, were also promoted into Sussex Spitfire League 1, and open their league campaign a week earlier than their teammates in the 1st XV on 12 September away to Hove 2nd XV.

This is followed a week later by a home fixture against Lewes 1st XV, a club that are rebuilding and until recently were playing a couple of leagues higher than Horsham 1st XV.