Banbury RUFC return to the Graf UK Stadium for their first home league fixture of the 2026–27 season this weekend, welcoming Bromsgrove RFC in Round 4 of Regional 1 Midlands.

Ahead of Saturday's encounter, we take a closer look at the visitors, their long-established place within Midlands rugby, recent record at Level 5 and their start to the new campaign.

Club Overview

Club Name: Bromsgrove Rugby Football Club
Established: 1872
Location: Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
Home Ground: Finstall Park
League: Regional 1 Midlands
Level: Level 5

Bromsgrove are one of the older rugby clubs in the Midlands, with the club dating its establishment to 1872.

They are based at Finstall Park on Finstall Road in Bromsgrove, which remains the home of their First XV and the centre of the club's rugby activity.

An Established Regional 1 Side
Bromsgrove have been a regular presence towards the upper end of Regional 1 Midlands since the current league structure was introduced.

The Worcestershire side finished fourth in the inaugural 2022–23 Regional 1 Midlands campaign before recording consecutive third-place finishes in 2023–24 and 2024–25.

Last season saw Bromsgrove finish fifth, maintaining a run of four consecutive top-half finishes at Level 5.

Their recent league record underlines the consistency they have established within the division, with Saturday providing another meeting between two clubs who have become familiar opponents in Regional 1 Midlands.

First XV Leadership
Bromsgrove's current First XV setup is headed by Director of Rugby Daniel Protherough.

Will Harris serves as Head of Performance, while Chris Shipway is listed as the club's Forwards Coach.

Harris is also part of the current playing squad and has been a regular figure in Bromsgrove's backline during recent meetings with Banbury.

The coaching group oversees a First XV that entered 2026–27 looking to build upon another top-half Regional 1 Midlands finish.

Opening the 2026–27 Campaign
Bromsgrove arrive at the Graf UK Stadium with two victories from their opening three matches.

Stourbridge 27–24 Bromsgrove
Bromsgrove 38–29 Bridgnorth
Newport (Salop) 24–31 Bromsgrove

Their campaign began with a narrow three-point defeat away at unbeaten Stourbridge before Bromsgrove responded in their first home league fixture, defeating Bridgnorth 38–29 at Finstall Park.

Last weekend brought a second successive victory as they travelled to Newport (Salop) and returned with a 31–24 win.

Those results leave Bromsgrove third in Regional 1 Midlands with ten points from three matches heading into Saturday's fixture.

Recent Regional 1 Record
Consistency has been one of the defining features of Bromsgrove's recent seasons.

2022–23 - 4th
2023–24 - 3rd
2024–25 - 3rd
2025–26 - 5th

Their strongest recent finishes came in consecutive seasons between 2023 and 2025, when Bromsgrove twice finished third in the division.

Last year's fifth-place campaign included several high-scoring victories, with Bromsgrove remaining competitive in the upper half of Regional 1 Midlands throughout the season.

Previous Meetings vs Bromsgrove
Banbury and Bromsgrove have met regularly over recent Regional 1 Midlands seasons, with the last four encounters producing two victories apiece.

Banbury 55–18 Bromsgrove - April 2026
Bromsgrove 31–19 Banbury - September 2025
Bromsgrove 35–15 Banbury - March 2025
Banbury 19–14 Bromsgrove - November 2024

The two meetings during 2025–26 produced contrasting results.

Bromsgrove claimed a 31–19 victory at Finstall Park on the opening weekend of the campaign before Banbury reversed the outcome emphatically when the sides met again at the Graf UK Stadium.

That fixture, on the final afternoon of last season, saw the Bulls produce an impressive attacking display to secure a 55–18 victory.

The previous campaign was similarly split. Banbury edged a hard-fought 19–14 home victory in November 2024 before Bromsgrove responded with a 35–15 win at Finstall Park the following March.

Final Thoughts
Bromsgrove arrive in Oxfordshire as one of Regional 1 Midlands' most consistently competitive sides of recent seasons.

Four consecutive top-half finishes demonstrate their established position at this level, while victories over Bridgnorth and Newport (Salop) have provided another positive start in 2026–27.

Recent meetings with Banbury have produced an even record, with each club winning two of the last four encounters and home advantage proving decisive in all four.

Saturday renews that rivalry at the Graf UK Stadium as Banbury begin their home league programme against a Bromsgrove side sitting third after the opening three rounds.

Banbury RUFC vs Bromsgrove RFC
Saturday 17th October 2026
Graf UK Stadium, Oxford Road, Bodicote, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX15 4AF
Kick-off: 3:00pm

Upcoming Matches