With another former Premier club in Newbridge also in One East the race for the top spot in the division should be very intense.
Wanderers head coach Chris Ower said, “It’s great to be starting the season with such a competitive fixture. Ebbw Vale will have big ambitions for this season and after losing to us in the first of our play-offs at the end of last season, I’m sure they’ll feel they have an opportunity to get one back on us very quickly.
“They are a very good side, but having said that, I’m pleased with our squad at this point in time. We have a number of players with Premiership experience, mixed with some exciting young players so I’m confident we will be able to challenge for a Champions League place, and even the Division One East title this season.
“Ultimately our aim is to work towards getting back into the Premiership within around three years and as a club, we have put a number of building blocks in place to progress at a sensible pace.”
Last year Treorchy had a difficult season and only just avoided the drop so they will be keen to make a good start when Blackwood visit the Oval on opening day.
Newly-promoted Mountain Ash have a tough opening when they travel to a Beddau side who finished last season in third spot, while Tredegar, who also made the step up from Two East, will host Newbridge.
Llanharan have made the move from One East to One West and they will look for a winning start when they entertain Carmarthen Athletic.
Narberth finished in second spot a massive 25 points behind promoted Bridgend but in the absence of the Ravens, the Otters will fancy their chances of pushing for glory. They visit Waunarlwydd on opening day.
Two West champions Ammanford travel to Whitland, while the also-promoted Tondu start at home against Tata Steel (PT).
It is “as you were” in Two East as last year’s relegated clubs from One East meet in the opening fixture. Ystrad Rhondda entertain a Bedlinog side that finished in bottom place, five points behind their hosts. They only managed five victories between them all season so both clubs will be looking for better times.
A superb run-in to the end of the season saw Rhymney clinch the Three East title and their reward is a visit to a strong Rhydyfelin outfit.
Maesteg need to arrest their drop down the divisions and after relegation from One West, they entertain Felinfoel at Llynfi Road in their opening fixture in Two West. As Felinfoel were also relegated and Maesteg won the corresponding fixture last season the “Old Firm” will be looking to start the new season with a victory.
Caerphilly are another club looking to regain former glory. This season the Castletown men play in Three East with an opening trip to Brynmawr and after losing all 22 matches last term they will be looking to stop the depressing run of defeats.
Senghenydd romped to the Four East title last season with over 100 points and also added the SWALEC Bowl after defeating Maesteg Quins 28-18 at the Millennium Stadium. Life in Three East should hold no fears for them but Garndiffaith are sure to be tough opponents in their opening fixture.
Dunvant showed a big improvement in Three West last season and should go into the new term with every confidence. The Broadacre club, who played in the European Challenge Cup in 1999-00, open with a trip to Pontyberem who were relegated from Two West.
St Peter’s just missed out on promotion from Three South East after finishing in third place and they will be looking to go one better when they start the new season off at Aberdare. Newly-promoted Rhiwbina and Tonyrefail begin with home games against Llanishen and Gwernyfed respectively.
In Three South West, Aberavon Green Stars have been handed a tough opening when they travel to BP Llandarcy who spent last season in Two West. Four West champions Maesteg Quins will be trying to extend their unbeaten run in the league when they play host to Bryncoch.
A new 12-team SWALEC Division Seven has been added, with Division Six rearranged to form three 12 team divisions.
The new structure will test the playing strengths of district clubs such as Malpas, CIACS and Wick who go straight into Division Six, while Newbridge Utd, Old Tylerians, STAR, Treharris, Tref-y-Clawdd, Abersychan and Tongwynlais all enter the SWALEC Leagues for the first time in Division Seven, joining Blaina United, Cwmcarn United, Aberbeeg, Cwm and Hollybush who were previously in Division Six.
DIVISION 1
Division 1 East
Division 1 North
Division 1 West
DIVISION 2
Division 2 East
Division 2 North
Division 2 West
DIVISION 3
Division 3 East
Division 3 South East
Division 3 South West
Division 3 West
DIVISION 4
Division 4 East
Division 4 South East
Division 4 South West
Division 4 West
DIVISION 5
Division 5 East
Division 5 South Central
Division 5 South East
Division 5 South West
Division 5 West
DIVISION 6
Division 6 Central
Division 6 East
Division 6 West
DIVISION 7
Division 7
