Welsh rugby union system

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The top level of competition in the Welsh rugby union system is the United Rugby Championship (formerly the Celtic League, PRO12 and PRO14) which is a league of professional teams from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy and South Africa. Wales currently has four entries in the URC: Cardiff Rugby, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets.

Contents

United Rugby Championship

This is a closed league with no promotion or relegation; teams are effectively franchises. The teams also compete in the European Rugby Champions Cup (known as the Heineken Champions Cup for sponsorship reasons) and the European Rugby Challenge Cup.

2021-22 league system

Level

League(s)/Division(s)

1

Welsh Premiership
12 clubs - 1 relegation

2

Welsh Championship
14 clubs - 1 promotion, 4 relegations

3

WRU Division 1 East
12 clubs - 1 qualification for promotion finals and 2 relegations

WRU Division 1 Central East
12 clubs - 1 qualification for promotion finals and 2 relegations

WRU Division 1 West
12 clubs - 1 qualification for promotion finals and 2 relegations

WRU Division 1 Central West
12 clubs - 1 qualification for promotion finals and 2 relegations

WRU Division 1 North
12 clubs - No promotion and 2 relegations

4

WRU Division 2 East
12 clubs - 2 promotions and 2 relegations

WRU Division 2 Central East
12 clubs - 2 promotions and 2 relegations

WRU Division 2 West
12 clubs - 2 promotions and 2 relegations

WRU Division 2 Central West
12 clubs - 2 promotions and 2 relegations

WRU Division 2 North
12 clubs - 2 promotions and 2 relegations

5

WRU Division 3 East
12 clubs - Teams divided into 4 groups 2 promotions after promotion finals

WRU Division 3 Central East
12 clubs - Teams divided into 3 groups 2 promotions after promotion finals

WRU Division 3 West
12 clubs - Teams divided into 2 groups 2 promotions after promotion finals

WRU Division 3 Central West
12 clubs - Teams divided into 3 groups 2 promotions after promotion finals

WRU Division 3 North
12 clubs - 1 group, 2 promotions

2013-14 league system

Level

League(s)/Division(s)

1

Welsh Premier Division
20 clubs – 3 relegations

2

Welsh Championship
24 clubs – 3 promotions, 3 relegations

3

WRU Division One East
24 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations

WRU Division One West
24 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations

WRU Division One North
24 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations

4

WRU Division Two East
24 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations

WRU Division Two North
24 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations

WRU Division Two West
24 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations

5

WRU Division Three East
22 clubs – 2p, 2r

WRU Division Three North
22 clubs – 2p, 2r

WRU Division Three South East
22 clubs – 2p, 2r

WRU Division Three South West
22 clubs – 2p, 2r

WRU Division Three West
24 clubs – 2p, 3r

6

WRU Division Four East
22 clubs – 2p, 2r

WRU Division Four South East
22 clubs – 2p, 2r

WRU Division Four South West
22 clubs – 2p, 2r

WRU Division Four West
22 clubs – 2p, 2r

7

WRU Division Five East
22 clubs – 2p, 2r

WRU Division Five South Central
22 clubs – 2p, 2r

WRU Division Five South East
22 clubs – 2p, 2r

WRU Division Five South West
22 clubs – 2p, 2r

WRU Division Five West
24 clubs – 2p, 3r

8

WRU Division Six Central
22 clubs – 2p, 2r

WRU Division Six East
22 clubs – 2p, 2r

WRU Division Six South East
22 clubs – 2p, 2r

WRU Division Six West
22 clubs – 2p, 2r

See also

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