The 2014/15 county rugby union schedule may have just come to a close with Cumbria’s defeat to Leicestershire in the County Shield at Twickenham, but the fixtures for the 2015/16 have now been released.

Both Penrith and Carlisle will start the North One West season on the road as they face trips to newly-promoted Rochdale and Vale of Lune.

The league season begins on Saturday September 5 and each side will play their first home fixture the following week against Widnes and Rochdale.

Gary Hewer’s side will be looking to improve on last season’s 10th placed finish after winning 10 of their 26 games.

Penrith missed out on a top three finish by nine points as they ended up behind Birkenhead Park, Kirkby Lonsdale and Kendal in the table.

Wigton, who finished bottom of North One West, begin life in North Lancs Cumbria at home to Oldham.

Cumbria league winners Silloth, who won promotion after topping the league by 16 points start on the road against Ashton-Under-Lyne and their first home fixture in their new league is against Aldwinians the following week.

Aspatria and St Benedict’s have home starts against Fleetwood and Bolton respectively, with Whitehaven travelling to newcomers Tyldesley.

In the Cumbria League, last year’s runners-up Workington start away against Kendal 2nd XV.

Third-placed Keswick, who missed out on second by just a point, start away at Millom.

Moresby take on Windermere on the opening day after the sides finished joint-fourth in the table.

Cockermouth travel to face Furness, Penrith A XV host Egremont and Carlisle Crusaders welcome Creighton.