Founded | 2012 |
---|---|
Country | Wales |
Number of teams | 14 |
Level on pyramid | 2 |
Promotion to | Welsh Premier Division |
Relegation to | WRU Division One East WRU Division One East Central WRU Division One West Central WRU Division One West |
Domestic cup(s) | WRU Championship Cup |
Current champions | Pontypool RFC |
Most championships | Pontypool (3 Titles since 2012) |
TV partners | BBC Wales, S4C, BBC Sport |
Website | WRU National Championship |
Current: 2023–24 WRU Championship |
The WRU National Championship (or Admiral Championship for sponsorship reasons) is the second tier of professional rugby union in Wales. The league was reformed by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) in 2012.
The current National Championship champions are Pontypool RFC, who won consecutive titles in 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19.
Pontypool RFC went through the 2022/23 Season unbeaten as Champions, with Neath RFC in second place also being promoted.
In 2012, the new division was formed from the restructuring of the Welsh Premier Division. The Premier Division was 'slimmed down' to 12 teams with Pontypool RFC and Tonmawr RFC relegated from the division. Tonmawr had already made the decision to opt out of the new league and would start the 2012–13 season in Division Six.
The National Championship is the second tier, which lies below the first tier Welsh Premier Division in Welsh club rugby. Above Welsh club rugby sides are the four regions, the Scarlets, Ospreys, Cardiff Blues, and Dragons, as part of regional rugby, who instead compete in the Pro14.
The teams for the league would be decided on three factors. Firstly, the holding of an 'A Licence' based on stadium criteria. The signing of a 'Participation Agreement' and judged on league results over the previous six seasons. It was originally decided that the Premiership would reduce in size to ten teams. [1] It was announced that four clubs, Pontypool, Tonmwar, Bridgend Ravens and Carmarthen Quins RFC had not achieved the required criteria to be included into the new league. However, pressure from Ospreys and Scarlets backers led to the league being extended to 12 teams with Bridgend and Carmarthen included. [2] Tonmawr, citing financial reasons, opted not to take part in the new league at all and re-entered themselves into Division Six. [3]
The new league came under scrutiny in 2012 when Pontypool RFC launched a legal challenge to avoid being the only club relegated to the new division, which they ultimately lost on the grounds of 'meritocracy'. [4] [5] Pontypool had finished 12th in the previous campaign, above rivals Bedwas RFC and level on points with historic rivals Newport RFC.
POS | TEAM | PL | W | D | L | PF | PA | DIFF | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Pontypool RFC | 15 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 529 | 203 | 326 | 73 |
2 | Ystrad Rhondda RFC | 18 | 14 | 0 | 4 | 449 | 362 | 87 | 65 |
3 | Narberth RFC | 17 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 389 | 260 | 129 | 63 |
4 | Cardiff Met RFC | 19 | 12 | 1 | 6 | 475 | 328 | 147 | 59 |
5 | Bedlinog RFC | 16 | 6 | 1 | 9 | 276 | 350 | -74 | 33 |
6 | Maesteg Harlequins RFC | 13 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 234 | 289 | -55 | 29 |
7 | Trebanos RFC | 15 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 288 | 330 | -42 | 29 |
8 | Newbridge RFC | 18 | 5 | 1 | 12 | 308 | 436 | -128 | 28 |
9 | Tata Steel RFC | 14 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 349 | 378 | -29 | 26 |
10 | Beddau RFC | 17 | 4 | 0 | 13 | 320 | 422 | -102 | 26 |
11 | Rhydyfelin RFC | 15 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 235 | 337 | -102 | 24 |
12 | Newcastle Emlyn RFC | 15 | 4 | 0 | 11 | 273 | 430 | -157 | 21 |
Correct as of 26 February 2019
POS | TEAM | PL | W | D | L | PF | PA | DIFF | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Pontypool RFC | 22 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 926 | 239 | 687 | 107 |
2 | Narberth RFC | 22 | 14 | 1 | 7 | 595 | 439 | 156 | 72 |
3 | Trebanos RFC | 22 | 14 | 0 | 8 | 501 | 335 | 166 | 69 |
4 | Tata Steel RFC | 22 | 13 | 0 | 9 | 546 | 483 | 63 | 66 |
5 | Newbridge RFC | 22 | 12 | 0 | 10 | 460 | 461 | -1 | 58 |
6 | Bedlinog RFC | 22 | 10 | 2 | 10 | 480 | 501 | -21 | 58 |
7 | Rhydyfelin RFC | 22 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 391 | 435 | -44 | 49 |
8 | Newcastle Emlyn RFC | 22 | 9 | 1 | 12 | 470 | 633 | -163 | 47 |
9 | Beddau RFC | 22 | 8 | 0 | 14 | 379 | 543 | -164 | 43 |
10 | Cardiff Met RFC | 22 | 7 | 2 | 13 | 473 | 638 | -165 | 40 |
11 | Skewen RFC (r) | 22 | 7 | 0 | 15 | 351 | 535 | -184 | 34 |
12 | Glynneath RFC (r) | 22 | 3 | 0 | 19 | 292 | 622 | -330 | 17 |
"r" denotes relegation to the WRU Division One East or WRU Division One West
POS | TEAM | PL | W | D | L | PF | PA | DIFF | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Pontypool RFC | 22 | 21 | 0 | 1 | 805 | 279 | 526 | 98 |
2 | Narberth RFC | 22 | 17 | 0 | 5 | 649 | 362 | 287 | 81 |
3 | Tata Steel RFC | 22 | 14 | 0 | 8 | 578 | 451 | 127 | 70 |
4 | Beddau RFC | 22 | 14 | 0 | 8 | 535 | 397 | 138 | 70 |
5 | Newcastle Emlyn RFC | 22 | 10 | 1 | 11 | 411 | 504 | -93 | 54 |
6 | Cardiff Met RFC | 22 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 435 | 562 | -127 | 46 |
7 | Newbridge RFC | 22 | 9 | 0 | 13 | 403 | 534 | -131 | 45 |
8 | Glynneath RFC | 22 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 339 | 488 | -149 | 44 |
9 | Bedlinog RFC | 22 | 8 | 1 | 13 | 407 | 440 | -33 | 44 |
10 | Skewen RFC | 22 | 8 | 1 | 13 | 314 | 418 | -104 | 41 |
11 | The Wanderers (r) | 22 | 7 | 1 | 14 | 405 | 490 | -85 | 41 |
12 | Dunvant RFC (r) | 22 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 434 | 790 | -356 | 16 |
POS | TEAM | PL | W | D | L | PF | PA | DIFF | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Merthyr RFC | 26 | 24 | 0 | 2 | 1192 | 289 | 903 | 118 |
2 | Swansea RFC | 26 | 22 | 1 | 3 | 859 | 402 | 457 | 108 |
3 | Bargoed RFC | 26 | 19 | 1 | 6 | 779 | 401 | 378 | 97 |
4 | RGC 1404 RFC | 26 | 19 | 0 | 7 | 928 | 460 | 468 | 96 |
5 | Pontypool RFC | 26 | 19 | 1 | 6 | 794 | 428 | 366 | 94 |
6 | Beddau RFC | 26 | 10 | 1 | 15 | 537 | 567 | -30 | 52 |
7 | Cardiff Met RFC | 26 | 9 | 0 | 17 | 631 | 828 | -197 | 51 |
8 | Tata Steel RFC | 26 | 11 | 0 | 15 | 622 | 787 | -165 | 50 |
9 | Narberth RFC | 26 | 8 | 1 | 17 | 564 | 710 | -146 | 48 |
10 | Newcastle Emlyn RFC | 26 | 10 | 0 | 16 | 538 | 668 | -130 | 47 |
11 | Newbridge RFC | 26 | 9 | 0 | 17 | 501 | 686 | -185 | 47 |
12 | Glynneath RFC | 26 | 9 | 0 | 17 | 461 | 767 | -306 | 45 |
13 | Bridgend Athletic RFC | 26 | 9 | 1 | 16 | 362 | 648 | -286 | 43 |
14 | Llanharan RFC | 26 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 277 | 1404 | -1127 | 7 |
POS | TEAM | PL | W | D | L | PF | PA | DIFF | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Bargoed RFC | 26 | 25 | 0 | 1 | 958 | 362 | 596 | 124 |
2 | Swansea RFC | 26 | 22 | 0 | 4 | 909 | 386 | 523 | 107 |
3 | Merthyr RFC | 26 | 19 | 0 | 7 | 671 | 452 | 219 | 89 |
4 | RGC 1404 RFC | 26 | 15 | 0 | 11 | 848 | 436 | 412 | 83 |
5 | Pontypool RFC | 26 | 16 | 0 | 10 | 639 | 483 | 156 | 77 |
6 | Narberth RFC | 26 | 15 | 1 | 10 | 542 | 562 | -20 | 70 |
7 | Cardiff Met RFC | 26 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 648 | 533 | 115 | 66 |
8 | Bridgend Athletic RFC | 26 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 496 | 465 | 31 | 65 |
9 | Tata Steel RFC | 26 | 12 | 0 | 14 | 486 | 651 | -165 | 58 |
10 | Glynneath RFC | 26 | 9 | 0 | 17 | 532 | 653 | -121 | 43 |
11 | Newbridge RFC | 26 | 7 | 1 | 18 | 479 | 777 | -298 | 39 |
12 | Llanharan RFC | 26 | 6 | 0 | 20 | 475 | 663 | -188 | 33 |
13 | Tondu RFC | 26 | 4 | 0 | 22 | 461 | 717 | -256 | 30 |
14 | Blackwood RFC | 26 | 3 | 0 | 23 | 368 | 1372 | -1004 | 20 |
Season | Winners |
---|---|
2012-13 | Ebbw Vale RFC |
2013-14 | Ebbw Vale RFC |
2014-15 | Bargoed RFC |
2015-16 | Merthyr RFC |
2016-17 | Pontypool RFC |
2017-18 | Pontypool RFC |
2018-19 | Pontypool RFC |
Dragons RFC are one of the four professional rugby union regional teams in Wales. They are owned by the Welsh Rugby Union and play their home games at Rodney Parade, Newport. They play in the United Rugby Championship and the European Rugby Champions Cup/European Rugby Challenge Cup. The region they represent covers an area of southeast Wales including Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen with a total population approaching 600,000 and they are affiliated with a number of semi-professional and amateur clubs throughout the area, including Pontypool RFC, Caerphilly RFC, Cross Keys RFC, Ebbw Vale RFC and Newport RFC.
Rugby union in Wales is considered a large part of Welsh national culture. Rugby union is thought to have reached Wales in the 1850s, with the national body, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) being formed in 1881. Wales are considered to be one of the most successful national sides in Rugby Union, having won the most Six Nations Championships after England, as well as having reached 3 World Cup semi finals in 1987, 2011 and 2019, having finished 3rd in the inaugural competition and having finished 4th in 2011 in a repeat of the first third place play-off. The Welsh team of the 1970s is considered to be arguably the greatest national team of all time, prompting many experts in the game to suggest that had the Rugby World Cup existed during this period, Wales would be amongst the list of World Cup winners. As of November 2021, they are ranked 8th in the world.
The Welsh Premier Division, known for sponsorship reasons as the Indigo Group Premiership, is a rugby union league in Wales first implemented by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) for the 1990–91 season.
Pontypool Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union team based in the town of Pontypool, which plays in the WRU Premiership. Since the regionalisation of Welsh rugby in 2003, Pontypool RFC is now a feeder club to the Dragons regional team. Pontypool play their home matches at Pontypool Park. Their traditional home kit is a red, white and black-hooped shirt and socks with white shorts, although they did gradually shift to wearing black shorts post-2003.
Bonymaen Rugby Football Club are a Welsh rugby union club based in the village of Bon-y-maen, Swansea, South Wales. Bonymaen RFC currently play in the WRU Championship and are a feeder club for the Ospreys. also including teams from under 6s to the under 16s, youth, Bonymaen 2nds, Bonymaen 1sts and Bonymaen Ladies.
Bridgend Ravens are a semi-professional rugby union club based in Bridgend, South Wales.
Carmarthen Quins Rugby Football Club are one of two Welsh rugby union clubs based in Carmarthen in West Wales, the other being Carmarthen Athletic.
Bridgend Athletic RFC are a Welsh rugby union club based in Bridgend in South Wales. They are members of the Welsh Rugby Union playing in the National League Division 1 West and are a feeder club for the Ospreys.
Dominic Day is a Welsh rugby union player.
Welsh regional rugby is the top tier of professional Welsh club rugby and is composed of the Scarlets, Ospreys, Cardiff Rugby and the Dragons which compete in the United Rugby Championship.
Matthew Silva is a Welsh rugby union coach, who is the current coach of RGC 1404. He is a former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer, who played from the 1980s to the 2000s. In rugby union (RU), he played as a number eight, fly-half, centre, wing and fullback. In rugby league (RL), he played as a fullback, i.e. number 1.
The 2010–11 Principality Premiership is the sixteenth Principality Premiership season and the seventh under its current format. The season began in August 2010 and will end in May 2011. Fourteen teams are playing each other on a home and away basis, with the standard bonus point system determining placement—4 points for a win, 2 for a draw, and separate bonus points for scoring four or more tries in a match and losing by seven points or less.
The 2013–14 British and Irish Cup was the fifth season of the annual rugby union competition for second tier, semi-professional clubs from Britain and Ireland. Leinster A were the defending champions having won the 2012–13 Final with a 78th minute penalty by Noel Reid to beat Newcastle Falcons 18–17 at their home ground Kingston Park. There has been four different winners and four different losing finalists of the competition in the first four seasons of its existence.
The Welsh Rugby Union League 2 West is a rugby union league in Wales.
The 2016–17 Principality Premiership was the first season of the new format of the Principality Premiership, the top tier of club rugby in Wales run by the Welsh Rugby Union. It was contested by sixteen Welsh clubs following an expansion from twelve teams. The next two seasons will be "ring-fenced" and will have no relegation until the 2018–19 season. The competition was won by Merthyr in their first season in the Premiership. The second-tier competition was won by Newport who won their first silverware since the 2003–04 Premiership season.
The 2018–19 WRU Championship was the seventh season of the WRU Championship, the second tier of club rugby in Wales run by the Welsh Rugby Union. It was the third season to feature 12 teams, reduced from 14 in previous seasons. For this season, "ring-fencing" was abolished and the winner would play-off against the 12th placed team in the 2018–19 Principality Premiership at a neutral venue to determine the 12th team for the 2019–20 season. The competition was won by Pontypool for the third consecutive year and completed the season unbeaten for the second year running. The bottom four clubs relegated were Bedlinog, Newbridge, Newcastle Emlyn and Rhydyfelin.
The 2018–19 Principality Premiership was the third season of the new format of the Principality Premiership, the top tier of club rugby in Wales run by the Welsh Rugby Union. It was contested by sixteen Welsh clubs following an expansion from twelve teams at the start of the 2016–17 season. The 2018–19 season saw the end of "ring-fencing" and relegation returned for this season with four teams being automatically relegated to the 2019–20 WRU Championship and a fifth team avoiding relegation by winning a play-off. The competition was won by Merthyr for the third consecutive year.
The 2019–20 WRU Championship was the eighth season of the WRU Championship, the second tier of club rugby in Wales run by the Welsh Rugby Union. The league expanded to 14 teams from 12 seasons for the previous three seasons.
The 2023–24 Indigo Group Premiership is the fifth season of the current format of the rugby union competition Welsh Premier Division. It began on 2 September 2023.