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Welsh rugby union system
CountryWales
SportRugby union
Promotion and relegationYes
National system
FederationRugby Football Union
Top divisionUnited Rugby Championship
Second divisionWelsh Championship
Rugby union in Wales


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.

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

Categories