Brecon begin life back in Championship West this weekend as the 2026-27 Welsh Rugby Union community season opens, while promoted Gwernyfed and Newtown prepare for higher-level tests and several other Powys clubs start in new divisions.
The opening programme across Saturday, September 5, and Sunday, September 6, begins a campaign in which the 13 clubs are spread across eight divisions.
Relegated from the Premiership, Brecon welcome Gowerton on Saturday under head coach Kris Dacey, with Adam Powell, Mathew Trowbridge and Ben Kenchington also in the coaching group. Their immediate task is to re-establish themselves in a division which again includes Aberystwyth.
Aber have made the most significant summer coaching change. Ifan Thomas succeeds Iestyn Thomas as head coach after the latter ended a seven-year spell, with Dafydd Pugh-Jones appointed director of rugby. Their campaign begins away to promoted Abercrave.
Builth Wells and Ystradgynlais remain together in Division One West Central. Builth, who pushed for promotion until the closing stages last term, have appointed Sion Coyle captain and Rhys Davies vice-captain. Ted Davies and Luke Morgan retired at the end of the campaign.
The Bulls open at home to Heol y Cyw, while Ystradgynlais travel to Ystalyfera.
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Gwernyfed step into Division Two East after winning back-to-back titles. Their latest promotion was secured as Division Three East champions with three games remaining, providing a firm platform for the next stage of the club’s rise.
Crickhowell continue in Division Four East with a reshaped coaching team. Matt Penny arrives as head coach and backs coach, Lloyd Williams returns as forwards coach, and Dafydd Cripps and Spencer Cawley join as specialist scrum and kicking consultants respectively.
There is major change in the north, where Newtown return to Division One North following their first promotion to that level for 20 years. The club have also launched a second senior side, Newtown Athletic, who enter Division Three North East.
COBRA remain in Division One North and can call on six players moving up from last season’s RGC Youth Premiership-winning squad.
Welshpool return to Division Two North following relegation and will share the section with Machynlleth, who remain at that level. No confirmed senior coaching or transfer changes have been publicly announced by either club.
Llanidloes move into Division Three North East, where their opponents include the new Athletic sides from Newtown and COBRA. No verified senior personnel changes have been announced.
Llandrindod Wells and Trefyclawdd continue their local rivalry in Division Five East Central. Their section has been reshaped by the arrival of promoted Beddau Athletic and Tondu Athletic, although no confirmed senior player arrivals or departures have been publicly reported at either Powys club.
With the leading local sides spread from Championship West to Division Five East Central, the opening weekend will provide an early measure of how quickly Brecon adjust and whether Gwernyfed and Newtown can carry their promotion momentum into stronger divisions.
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