Welsh rugby union system
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The Welsh rugby union system, or WRU National League system, refers to the hierarchically interconnected league system for rugby union in Wales that in the 2024–25 season consisted of 30 leagues in up to 298 teams. Four Welsh rugby teams sit above the league system as participants in the United Rugby Championship (URC), a professional trans-national rugby union league featuring several teams from Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Italy, and South Africa. The four professional Welsh teams also compete in European cup competitions such as the European Rugby Champions Cup and the EPCR 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 |