MALVERN director of rugby Dave Robins is relishing more local derbies next season after Midlands One was renamed National Three Midlands as part of league restructuring.

The change in title from Midlands One follows the introduction of a 12-club Championship to replace the current 16-team National One.

The current National Two and National Three North and South will be renamed National One and Two with the top four regional leagues, including Midlands One becoming National Three competitions.

The new National Three Midlands will have a bonus points system for the first time, in line with the other national leagues, and the division has been increased from 12 to 14 clubs.

Sheffield Tigers will play in National Three Midlands next season having been transferred from North One to balance the numbers.

They will replace Chester, who have been transferred back into the new National Three North after a season in Midlands One.

Robins said: “We were waiting for the announcement because we weren’t totally convinced we’d be in National Three Midlands.

“There was a chance we could have gone into the south-west division, which would have meant much more travelling, which is very expensive these days, so we are happy to be in the Midlands league.

“It is a much better division for us because there will be three local derbies, against Luctonians, who we played against last year, and Hereford and Bromsgrove who’ve both been promoted.

“That will be a big thing for us because the local derby games attract good gates.

“There are still a few long trips facing us, though, with the likes of Peterborough, Kettering and Bedford. At least we’ve had a season to get used to playing those teams.

“Another new team for us will be Ampthill, which is near Bedford, so that will be another long journey.”

Malvern open up their new campaign with a trip to Hinckley on September 5, followed by their home game against Kenilworth seven days later.