The English Leagues are made up of National Leagues and Divisional Leagues. Each league is designated a level, Level 1 being the highest. Clubs playing at the same level in different parts of the country are theoretically at roughly the same standard although this is only a guide.
For a detailed list of the current leagues, fixtures and results click here
Premiership (Level 1) (12 clubs)
(National League 1 comprises 16 clubs others are 14 clubs per league)
National League 1 (Level 2)
National League 2 (Level 3)
National League 3 North (Level 4) (Northern and Midland Divisions)
National League 3 South(Level 4) (London and South East and South West Divisions)
Northern
Midlands
London & South East
South West
Usually comprising 12 clubs per league at Level 5 & 6 and 10 clubs per league below that although there are regions where there are up to 18 clubs in a league who then only play once against each other once per season rather than Home AND Away. Each division has a first league (Level 5) and leagues at levels 6 and 7 of 12 Clubs. Normally each Division has two Leagues at Level 6 and 4 Leagues at level 7. Click here to see a list of all the Leagues. At level 8 and below it is for the local Constituent Body to decide on league structure but not more than two lower Leagues may support a higher League.
PROMOTION
Subject to the Level Transfer Regulations promotion from National League 1 shall be to the Premiership, promotion from National League 2 shall be to National League 1 and from National Leagues 3 North and 3 South shall be to National League 2. ....... Promotion from the North Division League 1 and the Midland Division League 1 shall be to the National League 3 North and from the London Division League 1 and the South West Division League 1 shall be to the National League 3 South. Promotion from Level 5 shall be to the appropriate National League 3 (North or South) thereafter promotion is very much a local issue from year to year but no more than two leagues can feed the league above.
BUSA LEAGUES (for Universities)
There are four national leagues, Premiership A/1 North & South and Premiership B/2 North & South. Then, like the clubs, they are split into four divisions, Northern, Midlands, South East and Western. There shall be a two-tiered Premier League in England and Wales for Men 1st XV’s. This will consist of the best 24 teams split into 4 leagues – Premier North A, Premier North B, Premier South A and Premier South B. The remaining teams will compete in the Conference leagues. Women’s teams will compete in Premier Leagues and Conference leagues. Click here for more details
WOMENS LEAGUES
Similar to men's leagues, these comprise two national Premiership Leagues and a senior Division 1 in each of the four regions together with three further levels of Divisional leagues known as the RFUW Challenge Leagues. Please note that for REFEREEING PURPOSES ONLY we classify Women’s leagues as 5 below their male equivalent this is NOT a reflection of the standard of rugby but an indication to our appointments officers as to the level of skill and experience required by the referee. Society referees rather than RFU Panel cover most Women’s games. Click here for more details of the women’s leagues
Copyright © 1999 [ Yorkshire Federation of Referees Societies ] Last updated: September 02, 2006