NVL preview (31st October and 1st November 2026) - Rockets hope to fire as Students bid to teach a lesson

The match (7.30pm start) will be played on the Taraflex floor that will be used for Super League Opening Weekend 2026 on Saturday and Sunday, where the hometown team – who are actually officially the visitors – will bid to take their record to 3-0. 

Men's NVL 

Saturday's Division 1 South games see leaders London Aces and last season's promotion challengers Cambridge ARU go head to head in an intriguing match at Lambeth Academy. 

Aces are also in action on Sunday, as they make the trip north to face Rhinos Cambridge, who will be contesting their first game of the campaign. 

Elsewhere, Oxford Bulls and MK City will hope to register their first victory of the season when they meet at Greyfriars Catholic School. 

Just one game in Division 1 North will see one of Darkstar Derbyshire and Black Country get off the mark for the season. 

After their game on Friday night, Loughborough Students are back in action in Division 2 North with their own home game as they take on Everton Dugongs at Parkin Sports Centre. 

Stockport and Intervolley Manchester will meet in a Greater Manchester derby, adding extra spice to the occasion. 

The latter side are also in action on Sunday as Sheffield Springers make the trip across the Pennines, while Manchester Liberators play the second game of their season against a Nottingham Rockets side playing their second fixture of the season. 

Promotion rivals from last season, Telford and Birmingham City, meet in Division 2 Central, while Northampton host Reading Aces, searching for their first win. 

First and third face off in Division 2 South as London Lionhearts, defeated for the first time last weekend, travel to Weymouth. 

Exeter Storm welcome Richmond Bucks to Devon in the other encounter. 

There is one triangular fixture in Division 3 South West as Team South Wales get their campaign underway against unbeaten Bristol 2 and Southampton 2. 

West Midlands rivals Tamworth Spartans 2 and Black Country 2 go head to head in a triangular, with Cambridge 2 the other team involved. 

Manchester Marvels Marauders are unbeaten and head up Division 3 North, but will have their credentials tested when they play last season's National Shield finalists Legends Oldham and another team who have started well in the shape of Everton Manatees. 

Women's NVL 

It's top versus bottom – albeit in the very early stages – as pacesetters Cambridge ARU make the trip to Manchester Moss Side Jaguars. 

Northampton have opened up with two wins from two and will bid to keep their good start going on Saturday when they entertain Leeds Gorse. 

With teams still jostling for early position, Darkstar Derbyshire and Manchester Marvels Mayhem will hope to make a move when they face each other. 

With early Division 1 South leaders Team South Wales not in action, it is a chance for other teams to take advantage.

Onyx London know they can take over leadership of the division if they are victorious at Bristol. 

Oxford Eagles and Richmond will also look to make up ground, as will London Inter Crocs and Reading Aces, who meet at Haverstock School. 

Newcastle Staffs will look to make it four from four at home to York Falcons in Division 2 North's only fixture, a result that would keep them top of the pile. 

West Midlands sides Wombourne and Black Country have the opportunity to secure their first triumph in their Division 2 Central contest. 

Southampton can draw level with London Ravens at the top of Division 2 South if they can get maximum points from Ashcombe Dorking's visit. 

Herts and Wessex are also in action at Queens School. 

Lincoln Cannons can build on their encouraging start in Division 3 Central when they take on Nuneaton Flames and Rhinos Cambridge. 

In Division 3 South East, Kent Invicta, who have started with back-to-back wins, take on Worthing and Richmond 3 at Maidstone Grammar School for Girls.

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