A merger between the two Guildford rugby clubs during the close season has saved two Portsmouth-based sides from relegation as the fixtures for the new season are unveiled.

Near-neighbours Guildford & Godalming and Old Guildfordians, who were both due to play in London Division Three South-West when the season kicked off in the second weekend of September, have combined to become one, re-naming themselves Guildford RFC.

Their twinning has created a gap in their division, which will be filled by Surrey side University Vandals, who finished bottom of Three South-West last season. It has therefore created a reverse-domino effect that has prevented US Portsmouth and Nomads from their doom of finishing in the relegation zone last April.

Services regain their position in Four South-West for the second season running on a technicality, while Nomads will climb back into Hampshire Division One, where they finished second bottom last term. The gap in Hampshire Division Two will remain unfilled, leaving nine teams at that level.

It means an even split of sides from Hampshire and Surrey when London Four South-West begins on September 14.

Trojans are Services opening fixture in a local-derby triple for Richard Cheal's men as they follow this by travelling to play-off winners Southampton before hosting Hampshire One champs Petersfield on October 5.

Tottonians, with a great chance of bettering their third-place finish receive Cranleigh in week one, but they will be sorely tested by the much-fancied London Irish Amateur side, who wait until the fourth week before playing Hampshire opposition - Trojans travelling to Sunbury.

The National League season begins in earnest a fortnight earlier on August 31, where Havant and Basingstoke kick-off their long campaigns. With a handful of new names in their ranks, Havant must fancy their chances and receive Old Patesians to Hooks Lane for their first match.

Basingstoke are on the road first up, making the hop to north London where Tabard await, but the crunch clash is saved for the very last week of the season when the county duo collide at Down Grange for what is hoped to be a title decider!

With that pair going up, Winchester are the sole county representative in London One and welcome Thanet Wanderers to Nuns Road on September 7.

They have already begun to fill the gap left by Kevin Gregory's retirement by recruiting former Nomads leader Barry Bridgman as forwards coach.

London Three champions Andover join Portsmouth and Gosport & Fareham in Division Two South and Ian Chandler's side make the journey to All Black territory in the second week of the league season.

Gosport & Fareham travel to Maidstone on the first scheduled week, although this, alongside Andover's trip to Tunbridge Wells, may be postponed due to their imminent inclusion in the Powergen Cup as Hampshire Cup semi-finalists.

It has come as a blow to the peninsular club, who are searching for a new coach following Mark Wells' decision to concentrate his efforts on his thriving new business, as they will not be able to recreate the excitement they caused by reaching the final of the Intermediate Cup of last April.

Alton, who recovered from a desperate start to retain their place in Three South-West with an impressive run late on, play University Vandals in their opening fixture, before hosting Jersey at Anstey Park a fortnight later.