Merger strengthens East Sussex Rugby
See the latest news from Your World at https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/your-world
1066 country rugby will have a new look for the 2026-27 season after the recently announced merger of Rye RFC and St Leonards Cinque Ports RFC.
After a successful two year period of groundsharing the St Leonards based outfit celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2026 decided to make the arrangement even more formal.
Ports spokesman Gavin Thomas summarised the decision “It’s become increasingly hard to compete since COVID and despite a strong core of players we were finding it harder to manage the grind of regular rugby.
We’ve loved the two years we’ve played out of Rye and it felt natural to make it a permanent arrangement. We see this as a natural fit as we share an ethos”. The two clubs have cooperated this season for fixtures against a French touring side, Hastings & Bexhill RFC and in the Sussex Vets final.
Thomas was positive about these fixtures “We’re a natural fit on the pitch and won all our collaborative games this season”.
Rye RFC Chairman Steven Cooper was equally positive “ The Ports boys felt a natural fit here. We share the same values “.
The merger starts on strong foundations with both clubs finishing well in their respective leagues and winning their Sussex cup finals on May 2nd.
The club will continue to be called Rye RFC, but the 2nd XV will be named Rye Ports II and wear a shirt that combines the colours of both clubs. The 1st XV will compere in Kent Counties 4 and Rye Ports in Sussex Counties 4.