Five teams will contest this year's rugby competitions

Forster has withdrawn from the women's 10-a-side as well, leaving five sides in that competition.

Defending premiers Manning Ratz were due to open the season on Saturday April 19 against the Cockies at Taree Rugby Park in both grades. While the men will now have the bye, the Ratz will tackle Gloucester in the 10s.

"It's disappointing to lose Gloucester but not unexpected,'' Ratz coach Jake Maurirere said.

It was reported in the Gloucester Advocate in February that the Cockies were struggling for numbers.

Last season Gloucester's roster was bolstered by a number of players from the Hunter area who were looking for a game when competitions didn't proceed there due to the pandemic.

"But those players have gone back to their home clubs now,'' Maurirere said.

"I've heard there's a few clubs battling for numbers, now all the league and rugby comps have resumed again.''

Six clubs contested the men's competition last year, even though defending premiers Forster withdrew due to COVID-19 concerns. The Dolphins were replaced by Barbarian Hogs, a team made up in the main of reserve grade players from the Port Macquarie area. The Upper Mid North Coast competition was also a pandemic casualty. However, the Hogs will be back in the Hastings this season.

Phil Wilkins reported in the Times this week that Forster Dolphins are badly in need of players as numbers have been disappointing at training sessions.

The Dolphins went through the 2019 season undefeated under coach Ron McCarthy to notch the club's seventh premiership since the LNC competition was formed in 2008. McCarthy is coaching the Dolphins again this year.

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Forster is drawn to play Wauchope Thunder at Wauchope on April 19 while the Ratz are due to tackle the Dolphins at Taree on Saturday April 24.

"This will be the first time we've played them since they thrashed us in the 2019 grand final,'' Maurirere noted.

"A lot has changed since then.''