English rugby union system
Encyclopedia
England
has a comprehensive league structure in place, including national fully professional leagues to amateur regional leagues.
The format and competitiveness of the leagues have changed greatly since their beginnings in 1987. The latest widespread restructuring of the leagues were announced in November 2008, for implementation from 2009-2010.
Under this structure, the top league remains the 12-team Aviva Premiership. The second tier league has been rebranded and restructured; the RFU Championship
has replaced the old National Division One. The league also has 12 teams, and like the Premiership, will be fully professional
.
Beneath the two professional leagues, the National Leagues have been restructured to include a new 16 team National League 1
, 16 team National League 2 South
and National League 2 North
. The four top regional leagues are now part of National League 3.
The changes also mean that level 6 have become the eight top regional leagues. Promotion and relegation throughout the system remains.
Promotion and relegation will remain with the new RFU Championship
with the bottom side being relegated at the end of the season. The promoted club will no longer simply be the Championship champions but will be decided by play-off, which is hoped will bring an end to a select number of clubs bouncing between the leagues. (For example, each season between 2005–06 and 2008–09 saw the club relegated to National Division One earning promotion to the Premiership the following season, and also either the promotion or relegation of Leeds Carnegie.) Debate still continues over the question of promotion and relegation, but with the strict criteria and now a fully professional championship providing the replacement financial fears are reduced.
was formed in 2009-10 to provide a second tier of professional competition. The former National Division One was decreased from 16 clubs to 12 to accommodate a new fixture structure. This includes:
The 4 champions are promoted, the 4 runners up enter play-offs to decide the other 2 promoted sides. The 4 champions also meet in a knock-out national finals competition.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
has a comprehensive league structure in place, including national fully professional leagues to amateur regional leagues.
The format and competitiveness of the leagues have changed greatly since their beginnings in 1987. The latest widespread restructuring of the leagues were announced in November 2008, for implementation from 2009-2010.
Under this structure, the top league remains the 12-team Aviva Premiership. The second tier league has been rebranded and restructured; the RFU Championship
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:...
has replaced the old National Division One. The league also has 12 teams, and like the Premiership, will be fully professional
Professional
A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to estate agents, surveyors , environmental scientists,...
.
Beneath the two professional leagues, the National Leagues have been restructured to include a new 16 team National League 1
National League 1
National League 1, , is the third level of domestic rugby union competition in England.This is the lowest level of the English rugby union league system which is nationwide...
, 16 team National League 2 South
National League 2 South
National League 2 South, known before September 2009 as National Division Three South, is a league at level 4 in the English rugby union system. The league is one of two leagues at this level, with its counterpart covering the north of England...
and National League 2 North
National League 2 North
National League 2 North, is the 4th tier of the English rugby union system and provides mostly amateur competition for teams in the Northern half of England....
. The four top regional leagues are now part of National League 3.
The changes also mean that level 6 have become the eight top regional leagues. Promotion and relegation throughout the system remains.
Level 1: Aviva Premiership
The Aviva Premiership will remain the top level league in the country, containing the best 12 fully professional clubs. The premiership will still include strict facility criteria and a salary cap that must be met by all participants.Promotion and relegation will remain with the new RFU Championship
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:...
with the bottom side being relegated at the end of the season. The promoted club will no longer simply be the Championship champions but will be decided by play-off, which is hoped will bring an end to a select number of clubs bouncing between the leagues. (For example, each season between 2005–06 and 2008–09 saw the club relegated to National Division One earning promotion to the Premiership the following season, and also either the promotion or relegation of Leeds Carnegie.) Debate still continues over the question of promotion and relegation, but with the strict criteria and now a fully professional championship providing the replacement financial fears are reduced.
Level 2: RFU Championship
The new RFU ChampionshipRFU Championship
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:...
was formed in 2009-10 to provide a second tier of professional competition. The former National Division One was decreased from 16 clubs to 12 to accommodate a new fixture structure. This includes:
- 22 regular season games
- End of season play-offs to decide the promotion and relegation places
- All teams will participate in new British and Irish CupBritish and Irish CupThe British and Irish Cup is a semi-professional northern hemisphere rugby union competition. It took place for the first time in the 2009/10 season...
- Minimum of 32 games per season
Level 3: National League 1
The former National Division Two was renamed and increased from 14 to 16 teams. This resulted in a 30-game season on a home and away basis. The champions are promoted to the Championship and the three bottom sides are relegated to National League 2 level.Level 4: National League 2 South and National League 2 North
The previous National Division Three leagues became National League 2, keeping the same structure as previous except for being increased to 16 teams each. The two league champions are promoted, with the two runners-up meeting in a promotion play-off to decide the third promoted team. The bottom three in each league are relegated to their respective regional division. A new element is that the champions will meet in a National Final.Level 5: National League 3
The former top regional leagues became the lowest level of the national league structure, increasing in size from 12 to 14 teams. The leagues are:- National League 3 North
- National League 3 MidlandsNational League 3 MidlandsEnglish Rugby Union Midland Division - National League 3 Midlands is an English Rugby Union League.Before September 2009 National League 3 - Midlands was known as Midlands 1. it is the highest regional club Rugby Union league in the English Midlands and, with promoted sides usually entering...
- National League 3 South East
- National League 3 South West
The 4 champions are promoted, the 4 runners up enter play-offs to decide the other 2 promoted sides. The 4 champions also meet in a knock-out national finals competition.
Regional leagues
With the restructurings, levels 6-12 became the new regional system. There are now 8 regional Division 1 leagues, which are connected to the national leagues by promotion and relegation.The system
The table below shows the current structure of the system. For each division, its official name, sponsorship name (which differs from its historic name) and number of clubs is given. At levels 1-3, each division promotes to the national division(s) that lie directly above it and relegates to the national division(s) that lie directly below it. Below that level, clubs relegate to the nearest local league.History
Historically there were no leagues allowed as these were seen as a sign of professionalism. In the 1970s the RFU allowed the creation of regional merit leagues with the most significant ones being the North, Midlands, South West and London merit leagues. In 1984 the RFU approved the creation of two national merit tables where clubs had to play a minimum of eight games against the clubs in their division. 1985 saw the creation of a third national merit league. In 1987 this was formed into a true national league system.Level |
League(s)/Division(s) |
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1 |
Aviva Premiership (The Premiership) 12 clubs |
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2 |
RFU Championship RFU Championship The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:... 12 clubs |
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3 |
National League 1 National League 1 National League 1, , is the third level of domestic rugby union competition in England.This is the lowest level of the English rugby union league system which is nationwide... 16 clubs |
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4 |
National League 2 North National League 2 North National League 2 North, is the 4th tier of the English rugby union system and provides mostly amateur competition for teams in the Northern half of England.... 16 clubs |
National League 2 South National League 2 South National League 2 South, known before September 2009 as National Division Three South, is a league at level 4 in the English rugby union system. The league is one of two leagues at this level, with its counterpart covering the north of England... 16 clubs |
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5 |
National League 3 Midlands National League 3 Midlands English Rugby Union Midland Division - National League 3 Midlands is an English Rugby Union League.Before September 2009 National League 3 - Midlands was known as Midlands 1. it is the highest regional club Rugby Union league in the English Midlands and, with promoted sides usually entering... |
National League 3 North North 1 National 3 North is one of the level 5 leagues of English rugby. Before 2009 the league was known as North 1.... |
National League 3 South-East London 1 London 1, to be known from September 2009 as National League 3 South-East, is the highest regional rugby union league in south east England, with promoted sides usually entering the R.F.U.'s National League 2 South .On the league hierarchy it is level 5.* English rugby union system- Teams :The... |
National League 3 South-West |
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6 |
Midlands 1 West Midlands 1 West English Rugby Union Midland Division - Midlands 1 West is a level 6 English Rugby Union League.Midlands 1 West is made up of teams from around the Midlands of England who play home and away matches throughout a winter season.... |
Midlands 1 East |
North 1 East |
North 1 West |
London 1 North London 1 North London 1 North is an English level 6 Rugby Union League. The 14 teams play home and away matches from September through to April.-Teams 2011-12:*Braintree RFC*Brentwood RFC*Bury St Edmunds RFC*Chingford RFC*Colchester RFC*Diss RFC*Eton Manor RFC... |
London 1 South London 1 South London 1 South is a regional Rugby Union league in south east England. It is the second highest regional league in the area and promoted sides usually enter R.F.U.'s National League 3 South East.In the league hierarchy it is level 6.- Teams :... |
South West 1 West |
South West 1 East South West 1 East - Teams 2009/10 :*Cheltenham*High Wycombe*Salisbury*Marlow*Swanage & Wareham*Reading Abbey RFC*Bletchley*Buckingham Rugby Club*Wallingford*Oakmeadians*Olney*Trowbridge*Walcot*Wootton Bassett- References :... |
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7 |
Midlands 2 West (North) Midlands 2 West (North) English Rugby Union Midland Division - Midlands 2 West is a level 7 English Rugby Union League.Midlands 2 West is made up of teams from around the Midlands of England who play home and away matches throughout a winter season... Midlands 2 West (South) Midlands 2 West (South) English Rugby Union Midland Division - Midlands 3 West is a level 7 English Rugby Union League.Midlands 3 West is made up of teams from around the East Midlands of England who play home and away matches throughout a winter season.... Midlands 2 East (North) Midlands 2 East (North) Midlands 2 East is part of the English Rugby Union Midland Division. Midlands 2 East is a level 7 English Rugby Union League.-Structure:... Midlands 2 East (South) Midlands 2 East (South) Midlands 2 East is part of the English Rugby Union Midland Division. Midlands 2 East is a level 7 English Rugby Union League.-Structure:... |
North Lancs/Cumbria South Lancs/Cheshire 1 Durham/N'thm'land 1 Yorkshire 1 |
London 2 North East London 2 North East London 2 North East is an English level 7 Rugby Union League. It is made up of teams predominantly from London, Suffolk and Essex. The twelve teams play home and away matches from September through to April.... London 2 North West London 2 South East London 2 South East London 2 South East is an English level 7 Rugby Union League. It is made up of teams predominantly from London, Sussex, Kent and Surrey. The twelve teams play home and away matches from September through to April.... London 2 South West London 2 South West London 2 South West is an English level 7 Rugby Union League. It is made up of teams predominantly from London and Surrey although also contains teams from Sussex and one from the Channel Islands... |
Tribute Western Counties North Tribute Western Counties North English Rugby Union South West Division - Tribute Western Counties North is a level 7 English Rugby Union League.Western Counties North is made up of rugby teams from around the Northern area of the South West of England. Teams play each other twice, home and away, in a season. Four points are... Tribute Western Counties West Tribute Western Counties West English Rugby Union South West Division - Tribute Western Counties West is an English Rugby Union League.- Teams 2009/10 :*Camborne*Tiverton*Devonport Services*Penryn*Bude*Kingsbridge*Minehead Barbarians*Newquay Hornets*North Petherton*Okehampton... Southern Counties South Southern Counties South - Teams 2009/10 :*Dorchester*Sherborne*Bradford-on-Avon*Corsham*Devizes*Frome*Minety*North Dorset*Oldfield Old Boys*Tadley*Wimborne*Ivel Barbarians- References :... Southern Counties North Southern Counties North - Teams 2010/11 :*Aylesbury*Swindon*Milton Keynes*Wootton Bassett*Beaconsfield*Amersham & Chiltern*Grove*Slough*Windsor*Witney*Newbury Stags*Tadley*Broadmoor Staff*Oxford- References :... |
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8 |
Midlands 3 West (North) Midlands 3 West (North) English Rugby Union Midland Division - Midlands 3 West is an English Rugby Union League.Midlands 3 West is made up of teams from around the West Midlands of England who play home and away matches throughout a winter season. When the League was restructured for the 2010 season, due to the old... Midlands 3 West (South) Midlands 3 West (South) English Rugby Union Midland Division - Midlands 3 West is a level 8 English Rugby Union League.Midlands 3 West is made up of teams from around the West Midlands of England who play home and away matches throughout a winter season... Midlands 3 East (North) Midlands 3 East (North) Midlands Division - Midlands 3 East is an English Rugby Union League. The league is the 8th tier of league competition in England.Midlands 3 East is made up of teams from around the East Midlands of England who play home and away matches throughout a winter season... Midlands 3 East (South) Midlands 3 East (South) English Rugby Union Midland Division - Midlands 3 East is an English Rugby Union League.Midlands 3 East is made up of teams from around the East Midlands of England who play home and away matches throughout a winter season... |
North Lancs 1 Cumbria Cumbria Cumbria , is a non-metropolitan county in North West England. The county and Cumbria County Council, its local authority, came into existence in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumbria's largest settlement and county town is Carlisle. It consists of six districts, and in... South Lancs/Cheshire 2 Durham/N'thm'land 2 Yorkshire 2 |
London 3 North East London 3 North West London 3 North West London 3 North West is a level 8 league within the RFU league structure.- 2009/2010 Season :There are 11 teams competing in the current season. They are:*Bank of England*Barnet Elizabethans*Cheshunt*Datchworth*Fullerians*Haringey Rhinos*Hitchin... London 3 South East London 3 South East London 3 South East is an English level 8 Rugby Union League. It is made up of teams predominantly from London, Sussex and Kent. The twelve teams play home and away matches from September through to April.... London 3 South West |
Tribute Somerset Premier Tribute Somerset Premier English Rugby Union South West Division - Tribute Somerset Premier is an English Rugby Union League.Tribute Somerset Premier is made up of teams from the English county of Somerset.- Current Standings :- Standings 2009/10 :*1 Bristol Harlequins 40... High Bridge Jewellers Gloucester Premier Tribute Cornwall/Devon Tribute Cornwall/Devon Tribute Cornwall/Devon League is an English level eight Rugby Union league for clubs mainly based in Cornwall and Devon. The Champions and runners-up are promoted to Tribute Western Counties West... Dorset & Wilts 1 North Dorset & Wilts 1 South Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier These are the teams in the Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier Division for 2011-2012:* Littlemore RFC* Drifters RFC* Gosford All Blacks RFC* Phoenix RFC* Stow-on-the-Wold and District RFC* Swindon College Old Boys RFC* Chipping Norton RFC* Thatcham RFC... |
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9 |
Midlands 4 West (North) Midlands 4 West (North) Midlands Division - Mildands 4 West is an English Rugby Union League.Mildands 4 West is made up of teams from around the East Midlands of England who play home and away matches throughout a winter season... Midlands 4 West (South) Midlands 4 West (South) English Rugby Union Midland Division - Midlands 4 West is a Level 9 English Rugby Union League.Midlands 4 West is made up of teams from around the East Midlands of England who play home and away matches throughout a winter season.... Midlands 4 East (North) Midlands 4 East (North) English Rugby Union Midland Division - Midlands 4 East is an English Rugby Union League.Midlands 4 East is made up of teams from around the East Midlands of England who play home and away matches throughout a winter season... Midlands 4 East (South) Midlands 4 East (South) English Rugby Union Midland Division - Midlands 4 East is an English Rugby Union League.Midlands 4 East is made up of teams from around the East Midlands of England who play home and away matches throughout a winter season... |
North Lancs 2 South Lancs/Cheshire 3 Durham/N'thm'land 3 Yorkshire 3 |
Eastern Counties 1 Herts/Middlesex 1 Herts/Middlesex League The Herts/Middlesex League is a rugby union league featuring teams from Hertfordshire and Middlesex. It is organised by the London and South East Division Rugby Football Union. It currently operates four divisions. The highest division is a level 9 league within the English rugby union system... Essex 1 Kent 1 Sussex 1 Surrey 1 Hampshire 1 |
Tribute Somerset 1 High Bridge Jewellers Gloucester 1 Tribute Cornwall 1 Cornwall League 1 Tribute Cornwall 1 is an English level nine Rugby Union league for clubs based in Cornwall. The Champions are promoted to Tribute Cornwall/Devon and the runners-up, play the second team in Tribute Devon 1 over two legs, with the winning team gaining promotion... Tribute Devon 1 Dorset & Wilts 2 North Dorset & Wilts 2 North Dorset & Wilts 2 North is an English Rugby Union league, forming part of the South West Division, for clubs based in nothern Dorset. From this league teams can either be promoted to Dorset & Wilts 1 North or relegated to Dorset & Wilts 3 North.-Teams:... Dorset & Wilts 2 South Berks/Bucks & Oxon 1 North Berks/Bucks & Oxon 1 South |
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10 |
Midlands 5 West (North) Midlands 5 West (North) English Rugby Union Midland Division - Midlands 5 West is a level 10 English Rugby Union League.Midlands 5 West is made up of teams from around the East Midlands of England who play home and away matches throughout a winter season... Midlands 5 West (South) Midlands 5 West (South) English Rugby Union Midland Division - Midlands 5 West is a level 10 English Rugby Union League.Midlands 5 West is made up of teams from around the East Midlands of England who play home and away matches throughout a winter season... Midlands 5 East (North) Midlands 5 East (North) Midlands Division - Mildands 5 East is an English Rugby Union League.Mildands 5 East is made up of teams from around the East Midlands of England who play home and away matches throughout a winter season... Midlands 5 East (South) Midlands 5 East (South) English Rugby Union Midland Division - Midlands 5 East is an English Rugby Union League.Midlands 5 East is made up of teams from around the East Midlands of England who play home and away matches throughout a winter season... |
South Lancs/Cheshire 4 Yorkshire 4 |
Eastern Counties 2 Herts/Middlesex 2 Herts/Middlesex League The Herts/Middlesex League is a rugby union league featuring teams from Hertfordshire and Middlesex. It is organised by the London and South East Division Rugby Football Union. It currently operates four divisions. The highest division is a level 9 league within the English rugby union system... Essex 2 Kent 2 Sussex 2 Surrey 2 Hampshire 2 |
Tribute Somerset 2 North Tribute Somerset 2 South High Bridge Jewellers Gloucester 2 Tribute Cornwall 2 Cornwall League 2 Tribute Cornwall 2 is an English level ten Rugby Union league for clubs based in Cornwall. The Champions and runners-up are promoted to Tribute Cornwall 1. There is no relegation. After a break of two seasons the competition recommences in 2011-12.... Dorset & Wilts 3 North Dorset & Wilts 3 North Dorset & Wilts 3 North is an English Rugby Union league, forming part of the South West Division, for clubs based in nothern Dorset. From this league teams can be promoted to Dorset & Wilts 2 North.-Teams:... Dorset & Wilts 3 South Dorset & Wilts 3 West Berks/Bucks & Oxon 2 North Berks/Bucks & Oxon 2 South |
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11 |
n/a |
Yorkshire 5A Yorkshire 5B Yorkshire 5C |
Essex 3 Herts/Middlesex 3 Herts/Middlesex League The Herts/Middlesex League is a rugby union league featuring teams from Hertfordshire and Middlesex. It is organised by the London and South East Division Rugby Football Union. It currently operates four divisions. The highest division is a level 9 league within the English rugby union system... Surrey 3 Surrey 3 Surrey 3 is a level 11 English Rugby Union League. It is made up of teams predominantly from Surrey and south-west London. The ten teams play home and away matches from September through to April.Promoted teams move up to Surrey 2.-Teams for 2009-2010:... |
Tribute Somerset 3 North Tribute Somerset 3 South High Bridge Jewellers Gloucester 3 |
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12 |
n/a |
n/a |
Herts/Middlesex 4 Herts/Middlesex League The Herts/Middlesex League is a rugby union league featuring teams from Hertfordshire and Middlesex. It is organised by the London and South East Division Rugby Football Union. It currently operates four divisions. The highest division is a level 9 league within the English rugby union system... Surrey 4 Surrey 4 Surrey 4 is a level 12 English Rugby Union League. It is made up of teams predominantly from Surrey and south-west London. The eight teams play home and away matches from September through to April... |
n/a |
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Sources
- http://www.scrum.com/scrum/rugby/story/86076.html (Explains new structure)