The profile of English Rugby Union’s second flight has been raised after Northampton Saints were relegated from the Guinness Premiership in 2007. However, bookmaker odds suggest they’ll spend little more than a year in League One with quotes of 1/2 about the Midlands club bouncing back and winning the division.

Recent history bodes well for clubs relegated from the top flight, with Leeds Tykes triumphing in 2007 and Harlequins emulating their feat in 2006. However, this doesn’t mean bookmakers will find it easy handicapping the Saints against perceived inferior opposition. Teams like Esher and Launceston will be relative unknowns by many traders so be sure to keep an eye out for early lines on matches involving them.

When it comes to betting on any League One match, it’s useful to know what weather conditions are likely to prevail. A muddy quagmire of a pitch often leads to a low-scoring game with teams more likely to play a kicking game. Indeed, the groundsman at a particular club might be under strict instruction to water the pitch ahead of a tricky-looking tie in a bid to stop the opposition from playing. The more information you can glean ahead of a game, the better.