2024 Nationals the next step towards Touch World Cup

England’s best players will be at Highfields Sports Complex in Nottingham this May Bank Holiday weekend, going toe-to-toe in the 2024 Touch Nationals.

With 40-minute games and a multi-day tournament lasting across the Bank Holiday weekend, the Nationals provides the closest conditions that players and referees will experience on the international stage.

Many involved this weekend have been part of the England High Performance squads which have been preparing for the Touch World Cup, and the three days will be an ideal opportunity to get competitive action in the legs.

There are nine competitions in all – Mens, Womens and Mixed Open, Womens 27, Mens 30, Womens 35/40, Mens 40, Mens 45, Mens 50 – with 45 teams in all representing the six English regions.

Last year the South East dominated the Opens, but the rest of the categories were shared among three others within the Seniors and Masters divisions.

Retaining the Nationals in the spring means both that it has place at the start of the season rather than coming at the end of a tiring series of domestic and international competitions, and that it enables more University students to participate.

Touch in Universities has grown rapidly over the last five years, and the South West region is primed to capitalise thanks to the inclusion of students from University Touch powerhouses, Exeter and Bath. Meanwhile the improving Birmingham University contribute to the West Wildcats, and Nottingham Trent University – who won the 2024 BUCS University Touch Championships – are also represented.

The action starts at 10:00 on Saturday, 9:00 on Sunday and 9:00 on Monday. Field 1 will be live streamed throughout the weekend via the England Touch YouTube channel.

CLICK HERE to see the full schedule

Teams

(* denotes 2023 champion)

Mens Open SE Taipans*, SE Sharks, NW Touch, Midland Tigers, SW Saxons, West Wildcats

Womens Open SE Taipans*, SE Sharks, NW Touch, Midland Tigers, SW Saxons, West Wildcats

Mixed Open SE Sharks*, SE Taipans, Midland Tigers, SW Saxons, NW Touch, NE Raiders, West Wildcats

Womens 27 SE Taipans*, SW Saxons, Midland Tigers, West Wildcats

Mens 30 SW Saxons*, SE Taipans, NW Touch, Midland Tigers, NE Raiders, West Wildcats

Womens 35/40 SE Sharks W35*, NE Raiders W35, Midland Tigers*, SW Saxons, NW Touch, West Wildcats, Scotland

Mens 40 SW Saxons, NW Touch, Midland Tigers

Mens 45 SE Taipans, West Wildcats, NW Touch

Mens 50 Midland Tigers*, SE Sharks, SW Saxons