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History of the English rugby union system

England has a comprehensive league structure in place, including national fully professional leagues to amateur regional leagues.

The format and competitiveness of the leagues have changed greatly since their beginnings in 1987. Likewise the leagues started off amateur but professionalism has since been permitted. However, it has always had three or four national leagues with various regional and county leagues below.

Sunday Telegraph Merit Tables edit

The Sunday Telegraph published Merit Tables for the leading English clubs from the 1960s to the 1980s. The position of the clubs was based on the percentage of matches won with only matches against other clubs in the table counting.

Sunday Telegraph English Champions 1964 to 1987:

  • 1963-64 London Scottish
  • 1964-65 London Scottish
  • 1965-66 Bristol
  • 1966-67 London Welsh
  • 1967-68 London Welsh
  • 1968-69 London Welsh
  • 1969-70 Coventry
  • 1970-71 London Welsh
  • 1971-72 Bristol
  • 1972-73 Coventry
  • 1973-74 Bristol
  • 1974-75 Rosslyn Park
  • 1975-76 Northampton
  • 1976-77 Moseley
  • 1977-78 London Welsh
  • 1978-79 London Welsh
  • 1979-80 Leicester
  • 1980-81 Leicester
  • 1981-82 Gloucester
  • 1982-83 Coventry
  • 1983-84 Wasps
  • 1984-85 Bath
  • 1985-86 Leicester
  • 1986-87 Bath

Precursor competitions edit

While there were experiments with county leagues in the north in the nineteenth century[1] for most of rugby union's history there have been no organised leagues. The 1970s saw the creation of a national cup and a series of regional and county merit leagues (the most important of which being the North, Midlands, South West and London merit league).

In 1984 this was taken one step further with the creation of two national merit leagues for the top twenty four clubs (based around playing a minimum of sixteen fixtures against each other, a factor which led to Exeter's exclusion after consideration). The top division had three clubs from each of the major merit leagues. In these clubs had to play a minimum of eight fixtures against the other clubs in their division but it was largely based around pre-existing fixtures. There was a system of promotion and relegation between the Merit Tables. 1985 saw the addition of a third national merit table, albeit without promotion and relegation to the top two.

1984–85 season edit

The initial lineups of the merit tables was as follows:

Merit Table A

  • Bath
  • Bristol
  • Coventry
  • Gloucester
  • Gosforth
  • Harlequins
  • Leicester
  • London Irish
  • London Scottish
  • Moseley
  • Orrell
  • Sale

Merit Table B

  • Bedford
  • Blackheath
  • Headingley
  • Liverpool
  • London Welsh
  • Northampton
  • Nottingham
  • Richmond
  • Rosslyn Park
  • Saracens
  • Wasps
  • Waterloo

Merit Table A

  • Champions: Sale
  • Relegated: Coventry; London Irish; Orrell

Merit Table B

  • Promoted: Headingley; Nottingham; Wasps

1985–86 edit

This year saw the creation of Merit Table C with the following clubs:

  • Birmingham
  • Exeter
  • Fylde
  • Metropolitan Police
  • Morley
  • Nuneaton
  • Plymouth
  • Roundhay
  • Sheffield
  • Vale of Lune
  • Wakefield
  • West Hartlepool
  • Merit Table A
  • Champions:Gloucester
  • Relegated: Gosforth; Headingley[2]
  • Merit Table B
  • Promoted: 1st Orrell; 2nd Coventry;
  • Liverpool merge with non-league St Helens to become Liverpool-St Helens
  • Merit Table C
  • Champions (not promoted):

1986–87 edit

  • Merit Table A
  • Champions: Bath[3]
  • Relegated to National 2: London Scottish
  • Merit Table B
  • Promoted into National 1: Waterloo
  • Merit Table C
  • Champions (not promoted):
  • Relegated to Area League North: Roundhay
  • Admitted to National 3: Maidstone

Foundation of the national league system edit

In 1987 the merit tables formed the basis of the top three divisions of the national league system. For the first season there were no fixed fixtures so clubs had to arrange their own (to a minimum of ten out of eleven opponents, only one game against each club could count). For the initial season there was no promotion and relegation between National 2 and National 3 but this was created for the following season. National 3 had a minimum of two clubs per region (with the top four clubs in the previous season's Merit Table C getting a guaranteed spot outside this quota) thus Roundhay missed out on a spot to Maidstone.

In 1988 clubs had their fixtures set by the league for them though still only played each other once.

Initial composition of major leagues edit

National 1

  • Bath
  • Bristol
  • Coventry
  • Gloucester
  • Harlequins
  • Leicester
  • Moseley
  • Nottingham
  • Orrell
  • Sale
  • Wasps
  • Waterloo

National 2

  • Bedford
  • Blackheath
  • Gosforth
  • Headingley
  • Liverpool-St Helens
  • London Irish
  • London Scottish
  • London Welsh
  • Northampton
  • Richmond
  • Rosslyn Park
  • Saracens

National 3

  • Birmingham
  • Exeter
  • Fylde
  • Maidstone
  • Metropolitan Police
  • Morley
  • Nuneaton
  • Plymouth
  • Sheffield
  • Vale of Lune
  • Wakefield
  • West Hartlepool

Area League North

  • Birkenhead Park
  • Broughton Park
  • Derby
  • Durham City
  • Lichfield
  • Northern
  • Preston Grasshoppers
  • Roundhay
  • Rugby
  • Solihull
  • Stourbridge

Area League South

  • Askeans
  • Camborne
  • Cheltenham
  • Havant
  • Lydney
  • Salisbury
  • Sidcup
  • Southend
  • Streatham-Croydon
  • Stroud
  • Sudbury

1987–88 season edit

National 1

1988–89 season edit

National 1

1989–90 season edit

National 1

1990–91 season edit

For the 1990–91 season all divisions were increased to 13 teams and the Area Leagues were renamed National 4 North and National 4 South.

National 1

1991–92 season edit

National 1

1992–93 season edit

Introduction of home and away fixtures edit

1993–94 season edit

The 1993–94 season saw the reduction in size of the national divisions to 10 teams and the creation of a new National 4 division. It also saw the introduction of home and away fixtures. National 4 (North and South) kept its same format but were now renamed to National 5 (North and South).

National 1

1994–95 season edit

National 1

1995–96 season edit

National 1

Advent of professionalism edit

1996–97 season edit

This year saw the expansion of the top two divisions to 12 teams and the temporary expansion of National 3 to sixteen clubs. It also saw National 5 (North and South) revert to being National 4 (North and South), expanded to 14 teams, and for the first time, with home and away fixtures. The leagues became openly professional this year.

National 1

Two premierships era edit

1997–98 season edit

The 1997–98 season saw the addition of sponsorship by Allied Dunbar and as a result a rebranding of National 1 and 2 to Premiership 1 and 2, whereas National 3 became the new National 1, while National 4 (North and South) became National 2 (North and South) accordingly.

Premiership 1

1998–99 season edit

The 1998–99 season saw the expansion of the two premiership divisions to fourteen teams.

Premiership 1

1999–2000 season edit

The 1999–2000 season saw the contraction of Premiership 1 to twelve teams with London Scottish and Richmond being absorbed into London Irish and reforming in county leagues.

Premiership 1

One Premiership era edit

2000–01 season edit

The 2000–01 season saw Zurich take over the sponsorship of the top division with no interest in the second tier. This saw Premiership 2 rebranded National 1, with National 1 and 2 (North and South) becoming National 2 and 3 (North and South) respectively. It also saw the creation of a promotion play-off between the runners-up of the National 3 divisions with an extra relegation place from National 2. A new Championship competition for the top eight clubs was introduced this season. It was intended that the winners of the Championship would become champions [4] but this decision was revoked after outcry. This season also saw the introduction of the rugby union bonus points system.

Premiership

  • Champions: Leicester
  • Relegated: Rotherham

National 1

  • Promoted: Leeds
  • Relegated: Orrell; Waterloo

National 2

  • Promoted: Bracknell; Rugby
  • Relegated: Camberley; Lydney (both to 3 South); West Hartlepool (to 3 North)

National 3 North

  • Promoted: Sedgley Park; Stourbridge
  • Relegated: Aspatria; Walsall
  • Promoted into league: Blaydon; Darlington Mowden Park; Scunthorpe

National 3 South

  • Promoted: Plymouth
  • Relegated: Basingstoke; Cheltenham; Reading; Weston-super-Mare
  • Promoted into league: Cinderford; Old Colfeians; Old Patesians

2001–02 season edit

Premiership

  • Champions: Leicester

National 1

  • Champions (not promoted): Rotherham
  • Relegated: Bracknell; Henley

National 2

  • Promoted: Orrell; Plymouth
  • Relegated: Preston Grasshoppers; Waterloo (both to 3 North); Rosslyn Park (to 3 South)

National 3 North

  • Promoted: Doncaster
  • Relegated: Morley; Sandal; West Hartlepool; Whitchurch
  • Promoted into league: Broadstreet; Halifax; Hull Ionians

National 3 South

  • Promoted: Launceston; Penzance & Newlyn
  • Relegated: Cinderford; Clifton
  • Promoted into league: Basingstoke; Havant; Weston-super-Mare

2002–03 season edit

This season saw the replacement of the Zurich Championship with a top four play-off, the winner of which would be crowned champions.

Premiership

  • Champions: Wasps
  • Relegated: Bristol

National 1

  • Promoted: Rotherham
  • Relegated: Moseley; Rugby

National 2

  • Promoted: Henley; Penzance & Newlyn
  • Relegated: Fylde; Kendal (both to 3 North); Launceston (to 3 South)

National 3 North

  • Promoted: Nuneaton
  • Relegated: Bedford Athletic; Broadstreet; Hull Ionians; Scunthorpe
  • Promoted into league: Darlington; Longton; Macclesfield

National 3 South

  • Promoted: Lydney; Rosslyn Park
  • Relegated: Camberley; Havant
  • Promoted into league: Dings Crusaders; Haywards Heath; Southend

2003–04 season edit

Premiership

  • Champions: Wasps
  • Relegated: Rotherham

National 1

  • Promoted: Worcester
  • Relegated: Manchester
  • Wakefield disband

National 2

  • Promoted: Nottingham; Sedgley Park
  • Relegated: Lydney (to 3 South); Rugby (to 3 North)

National 3 North

  • Promoted: Waterloo
  • Relegated: Liverpool-St Helens; Longton; Preston Grasshoppers
  • Promoted into league: Bedford Athletic; Bradford & Bingley; Cleckheaton

National 3 South

  • Promoted: Blackheath; Launceston
  • Relegated: Basingstoke; Old Colfeians
  • Promoted into league: Havant; Hertford; Reading

2004–05 season edit

Premiership

  • Champions: Wasps
  • Relegated: Harlequins

National 1

  • Promoted: Bristol
  • Relegated: Henley; Orrell

National 2

  • Promoted: Doncaster; Newbury
  • Relegated: Bracknell; Rosslyn Park (both to 3 South); Nuneaton (to 3 North)

National 3 North

  • Promoted: Halifax
  • Relegated: Bedford Athletic; Dudley Kingswinford; Rugby
  • Promoted into league: Hull Ionians; Leicester Lions; Preston Grasshoppers

National 3 South

  • Promoted: Barking; Redruth
  • Relegated: Haywards Heath; Tabard; Weston-super-Mare
  • Promoted into league: Bridgwater & Albion; Cambridge; Cinderford

2005–06 season edit

The 2005–06 season saw Zurich replaced as Premiership sponsors by Guinness

Premiership

  • Champions: Sale
  • Relegated: Leeds

National 1

  • Promoted: Harlequins

National 2

  • Promoted: Moseley; Waterloo
  • Relegated: Orrell (to 3 North)

National 3 North

  • Promoted: Bradford & Bingley; Nuneaton
  • Relegated: Kendal; New Brighton
  • Promoted into league: Morley; Rugby; West Park St Helens

National 3 South

  • Promoted: Cambridge
  • Relegated: Bracknell; Reading
  • Promoted into league: Canterbury; Chinnor; Clifton

2006–07 season edit

The 2006–07 season saw National 1 expanded to sixteen clubs.

Premiership

  • Champions: Leicester
  • Relegated: Northampton

National 1

  • Promoted: Leeds
  • Relegated: Otley; Waterloo

National 2

  • Promoted: Esher; Launceston
  • Relegated: Barking (to 3 South); Bradford & Bingley; Harrogate (both to 3 North)

National 3 North

  • Promoted: Blaydon
  • Relegated: Darlington; Cleckheaton; Orrell
  • Promoted into league: Beverley; Caldy

National 3 South

  • Promoted: Southend; Westcombe Park
  • Relegated: Chinnor; Hertford; Old Patesians
  • Promoted into league: Ealing; London Scottish; Luton; Mounts Bay

2007–08 season edit

Premiership

  • Champions: Wasps
  • Relegated: Leeds

National 1

  • Promoted: Northampton
  • Relegated: Birmingham-Solihull; Launceston

National 2

  • Promoted: Manchester; Otley
  • Relegated: Halifax; Nuneaton (both to 3 North); Henley (to 3 South)

National 3 North

  • Promoted: Tynedale
  • Relegated: Beverley; Morley; West Park St Helens
  • Transferred to 3 South: Rugby
  • Promoted into league: Huddersfield; Kendal; Loughborough Students

National 3 South

  • Promoted: Cinderford; Mounts Bay
  • Relegated: Clifton; Luton; North Walsham
  • Promoted into league: Chinnor; Richmond; Worthing

2008–09 season edit

Premiership

  • Champions: Leicester
  • Relegated: Bristol

National 1

  • Promoted: Leeds
  • Relegated: Esher; Manchester; Newbury; Otley; Sedgley Park

National 2

  • Promoted: Birmingham-Solihull
  • Relegated: Southend; Westcombe Park (both to 2 South); Waterloo (to 2 North)
  • Mounts Bay disband

National 3 North

  • Promoted: Nuneaton
  • Relegated: Darlington Mowden Park
  • Halifax disband
  • Promoted into league: Broadstreet; Hull; Westoe

National 3 South

  • Promoted: London Scottish
  • Relegated: Chinnor; Havant
  • Transferred to 2 North: Rugby
  • Promoted into league: Barnes; Clifton; Shelford

Additional National 3 divisions edit

The 2009–10 season saw the creation of several National 3 divisions. The North and South divisions were replaced with North, Midlands, South West and London divisions.

National 3 North

  • Beverley
  • Birkenhead Park
  • Chester
  • Cleckheaton
  • Darlington Mowden Park
  • Middlesbrough
  • Morley
  • Penrith
  • Rochdale
  • Rossendale
  • Sheffield Tigers
  • Stockport
  • West Hartlepool
  • West Park St Helens

National 3 Midlands

  • Ampthill
  • Bedford Athletic
  • Bromsgrove
  • Hereford
  • Hinckley
  • Kenilworth
  • Kettering
  • Longton
  • Luctonians
  • Luton
  • Malvern
  • Newport (Salop)
  • Peterborough
  • South Leicester

National 3 South West

  • Barnstable
  • Bournemouth
  • Chinnor
  • Chippenham
  • Cleve
  • Coney Hill
  • Exmouth
  • Maidenhead
  • Old Patesians
  • Oxford Harlequins
  • Reading
  • Redingensians
  • Taunton
  • Weston-super-Mare

National 3 London

  • Basingstoke
  • Bishop's Stortford
  • Bracknell
  • Diss
  • Dorking
  • Havant
  • Haywards Heath
  • Hertford
  • Jersey
  • North Walsham
  • Old Albanians
  • Portsmouth
  • Sutton & Epsom
  • Tring

2009–10 season edit

The 2009–10 season saw major changes to the league system below the Premiership. The second tier was reduced to twelve teams and rebranded the RFU Championship with a play-off system and only one relegation spot. National 2 and 3 (North and South) reverted to National 1 and National 2 (North and South), and were expanded to sixteen teams. Four National 3 divisions were created based around the top regional leagues with fourteen teams in each (see above). National play-offs for the title were created for the winners of the National 2 and National 3 divisions. A similar play-off series was created for the eight winners of the regional divisions.

Premiership

  • Champions: Leicester
  • Relegated: Worcester

Championship

  • Promoted: Exeter
  • Relegated: Coventry

National 1

  • Promoted: Esher
  • Relegated: Manchester; Nuneaton (both to National 2 North); Newbury (to National 2 South)

National 2 North

  • Promoted: Macclesfield
  • Relegated: Broadstreet (to 3 Midlands); Bradford & Bingley; Waterloo (both to 3 North)

National 2 South

  • Promoted: Barking; Rosslyn Park
  • Relegated: Barnes (to 3 London); Bridgwater & Albion (to 3 South West)

National 3 North

  • Promoted: Morley
  • Relegated: Cleckheaton; West Hartlepool; West Park St Helens
  • Transferred to 3 Midlands: Sheffield Tigers
  • Promoted in: Billingham; Lymm; Sandal

National 3 Midlands

  • Promoted: Hinckley (to 2 South); Luctonians (to 2 North)
  • Relegated: Bedford Athletic; Kettering
  • Transferred to 3 London: Ampthill
  • Promoted in: Burton; Old Northamptonians; Scunthorpe

National 3 South West

  • Promoted: Taunton
  • Relegated: Chippenham; Maidenhead; Reading
  • Promoted in: Cheltenham; Hartpury College; Newton Abbot

National 3 London

  • Promoted: Jersey; Old Albanians
  • Relegated: Haywards Heath; Portsmouth; Sutton & Epsom
  • Promoted in: Civil Service; Gravesend; Staines

2010–11 season edit

Premiership

  • Champions: Saracens
  • Relegated: Leeds
  • Championship
  • Promoted: Worcester
  • Relegated: Birmingham-Solihull

National 1

  • Promoted: London Scottish
  • Relegated: Otley (to National 2 North); Launceston; Redruth (both to National 2 South)

National 2 North

  • Promoted: Fylde
  • Relegated: Manchester; Rugby Lions (both to 3 Midlands); Morley (to 3 North)

National 2 South

  • Promoted: Ealing Trailfinders; Jersey
  • Relegated: Canterbury (to 3 London); Hinckley (to 3 Midlands); Newbury (to 3 South West)

National 3 North

  • Promoted: Stockport
  • Relegated: Billingham; Middlesbrough; Rochdale
  • Promoted in: Altrincham Kersal; Burnage; West Hartlepool

National 3 Midlands

  • Promoted: Bromsgrove; Sheffield Tigers
  • Relegated: Burton; Kenilworth; Peterborough
  • Transferred to 3 London: Luton
  • Promoted in: Dudley Kingswinford; Mansfield; Syston

National 3 South West

  • Promoted: Hartpury College
  • Relegated: Cheltenham; Cleve; Coney Hill
  • Promoted in: Amersham & Chiltern; Chippenham; Old Redcliffians

National 3 London

  • Promoted: Barnes; Hertford
  • Relegated: Basingstoke; Diss; North Walsham
  • Promoted in: London Irish Amateurs; Tonbridge Juddian; Westcliff

2011–12 season edit

Premiership
  • Champions: Harlequins
  • Relegated: Newcastle Falcons
Championship
  • Promoted: London Welsh
  • Relegated: Esher
National 1
  • Promoted: Jersey
  • Relegated: Birmingham & Solihull; Stourbridge (both to National 2 North); Barking (to National 2 South)
National 2 North
  • Promoted: Loughborough Students
  • Relegated: Harrogate; Kendal (both to 3 North); Nuneaton (to 3 Midlands)
National 2 South
  • Promoted: Old Albanians; Richmond
  • Relegated: Barnes; Hertford; Westcombe Park (to 3 London)
National 3 North
  • Promoted: Darlington Mowden Park
  • Relegated: Beverley; Altrincham Kersal; Morley
  • Promoted in: Billingham; Percy Park
National 3 Midlands
  • Promoted: Dudley Kingswinford (to 2 North); Rugby Lions were due to be promoted to 2 South but were expelled before the season started
  • Relegated: Hereford; Old Northamptonians; Manchester
  • Transferred to 3 South West: Malvern
  • Promoted in: Sutton Coldfield; Bournville; Derby; Sandbach
National 3 South West
  • Promoted: Bournemouth; Chinnor
  • Relegated: Old Redcliffians; Newbury Blues; Bridgwater & Albion
  • Promoted in: Maidenhead; Brixham; Avonmouth Old Boys
National 3 London
  • Promoted: Canterbury
  • Relegated: Bracknell; Luton; Havant
  • Transferred to 3 Midlands: Ampthill
  • Transferred to 3 South West: London Irish Amateurs
  • Promoted in: Thurrock; Guernsey; Old Elthamians

2012–13 season edit

Premiership
  • Champions: Leicester Tigers
  • Relegated: London Welsh
Championship
  • Promoted: Newcastle Falcons
  • Relegated: Doncaster Knights
National 1
  • Promoted: Ealing Trailfinders
  • Relegated: Macclesfield; Sedgley Park (both to National 2 North); Cambridge (to National 2 South)
National 2 North
  • Promoted: Hull Ionians
  • Relegated: Huddersfield; Stockport; Westoe (all to 2 North)
National 2 South
  • Promoted: Henley Hawks; Worthing
  • Relegated: Barking (to 3 London); Lydney (to 3 South West)
National 3 North
  • Promoted: Chester; Harrogate
  • Relegated: Birkenhead Park; Kendal; West Hartlepool
  • Transferred to 3 Midlands: Lymm
  • Promoted in: Beverley; Morley; Sale
National 3 Midlands
  • Promoted: Ampthill (to 2 South)
  • Relegated: Derby; Mansfield
  • Promoted in: Bedford Athletic; Old Halesonians
National 3 South West
  • Promoted: Exmouth; London Irish Amateur
  • Relegated: Maidenhead; Malvern; Oxford Harlequins
  • Promoted in: Bracknell; Old Centralians; Old Redcliffians; Worcester Wanderers
National 3 London
  • Promoted: Bishop's Stortford
  • Relegated: Gravesend; Staines; Westcliff
  • Promoted in: Basingstoke; Bury St Edmunds; East Grinstead

2013–14 season edit

Premiership
  • Champions: Northampton Saints
  • Relegated: Worcester Warriors
Championship
  • Promoted: London Welsh
  • Relegated: Ealing Trailfinders
National 1
  • Promoted: Doncaster Knights
  • Relegated: Henley Hawks; Worthing Raiders (both to National 2 South); Hull Ionians (to National 2 North)
National 2 North
  • Promoted: Darlington Mowden Park; Macclesfield
  • Relegated: Bromsgrove; Dudley Kingswinford (both to 3 Midlands); Sheffield Tigers (to 3 North)
National 2 South
  • Promoted: Hartpury College
  • Relegated: Bournemouth; Exmouth (both to 3 South West); London Irish Amateur (to 3 London)
  • Transferred to 2 North: Ampthill
National 3 North
  • Promoted: Huddersfield; Stockport
  • Relegated: Bradford & Bingley; Penrith; Percy Park
  • Promoted in: Cleckheaton; Huddersfield YMCA; Wirral
National 3 Midlands
  • Promoted: Broadstreet
  • Relegated: Bedford Athletic; Newport; Syston
  • Transferred to 3 North: Lymm
  • Promoted in: Burton; Lichfield; Peterborough Lions
National 3 South West
  • Promoted: Lydney
  • Relegated: Avonmouth Old Boys; Chippenham; Worcester Wanderers
  • Promoted in: Chard; Hornets; Oxford Harlequins
  • Transferred to 3 London: Amersham & Chiltern
National 3 London
  • Promoted: Dorking; Old Elthamians
  • Relegated: Barking; Basingstoke; Thurrock
  • Promoted in: Chichester; Gravesend; Westcliff

2014–15 season edit

Premiership
  • Champions: Saracens
  • Relegated: London Welsh
Championship
  • Promoted: Worcester Warriors
  • Relegated: Plymouth Albion
National 1
  • Promoted: Ealing Trailfinders
  • Relegated: Macclesfield; Tynedale (both to National 2 North); Old Albanians (to National 2 South)
National 2 North
  • Promoted: Ampthill; Hull Ionians
  • Relegated: Birmingham & Solihull (to 3 Midlands); Hull; Stockport (to 3 North)
National 2 South
  • Promoted: Henley Hawks
  • Relegated: Dings Crusaders; Lydney (both to 3 South West); Shelford (to 3 London)
National 3 North
  • Promoted: Sale Amateurs; Sandal
  • Relegated: Beverley; Morley; Westoe
  • Promoted in: Birkenhead Park; Ilkley; Sheffield
National 3 Midlands
  • Promoted: South Leicester
  • Relegated: Bournville; Burton; Dudley Kingswinford
  • Promoted in: Newport (Salop); Old Northamptonians; Syston
National 3 South West
  • Promoted: Redingensians
  • Relegated: Chard; Oxford Harlequins; Weston-super-Mare
  • Promoted in: Cleve; Chippenham; Ivybridge
  • Transferred to 3 London: Bracknell
National 3 London
  • Promoted: Barnes; Bury St Edmunds
  • Relegated: Amersham & Chiltern; CS Rugby 1863; Tring
  • Promoted in: Colchester; Eton Manor; Wimbledon

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Latham, Michael; Mather, Tom. The Rugby League Myth.
  2. ^ Stephen Jones, ed. (1986). Rothmans Rugby Yearbook 1986-87. London: Queen Anne Press.
  3. ^ Jones, Stephen, ed. (1987). Rothmans Rugby Yearbook 1987-88. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 125. ISBN 0356147916.
  4. ^ "Leicester livid as seasons spoils are left up for grabs". The Independent. 10 February 2001. Retrieved 28 January 2009.

Other sources edit

  • The Times newspaper 1984 onwards. News articles and results section.

External links edit

    history, english, rugby, union, system, this, article, multiple, issues, please, help, improve, discuss, these, issues, talk, page, learn, when, remove, these, template, messages, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve. This article has multiple issues Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page Learn how and when to remove these template messages This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources History of the English rugby union system news newspapers books scholar JSTOR April 2011 Learn how and when to remove this template message This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia s quality standards No cleanup reason has been specified Please help improve this article if you can April 2011 Learn how and when to remove this template message Learn how and when to remove this template message England has a comprehensive league structure in place including national fully professional leagues to amateur regional leagues The format and competitiveness of the leagues have changed greatly since their beginnings in 1987 Likewise the leagues started off amateur but professionalism has since been permitted However it has always had three or four national leagues with various regional and county leagues below Contents 1 Sunday Telegraph Merit Tables 2 Precursor competitions 2 1 1984 85 season 2 2 1985 86 2 3 1986 87 3 Foundation of the national league system 3 1 Initial composition of major leagues 3 2 1987 88 season 3 3 1988 89 season 3 4 1989 90 season 3 5 1990 91 season 3 6 1991 92 season 3 7 1992 93 season 4 Introduction of home and away fixtures 4 1 1993 94 season 4 2 1994 95 season 4 3 1995 96 season 5 Advent of professionalism 5 1 1996 97 season 6 Two premierships era 6 1 1997 98 season 6 2 1998 99 season 6 3 1999 2000 season 7 One Premiership era 7 1 2000 01 season 7 2 2001 02 season 7 3 2002 03 season 7 4 2003 04 season 7 5 2004 05 season 7 6 2005 06 season 7 7 2006 07 season 7 8 2007 08 season 7 9 2008 09 season 7 10 Additional National 3 divisions 7 11 2009 10 season 7 12 2010 11 season 7 13 2011 12 season 7 14 2012 13 season 7 15 2013 14 season 7 16 2014 15 season 8 See also 9 References 10 Other sources 11 External linksSunday Telegraph Merit Tables editThe Sunday Telegraph published Merit Tables for the leading English clubs from the 1960s to the 1980s The position of the clubs was based on the percentage of matches won with only matches against other clubs in the table counting Sunday Telegraph English Champions 1964 to 1987 1963 64 London Scottish 1964 65 London Scottish 1965 66 Bristol 1966 67 London Welsh 1967 68 London Welsh 1968 69 London Welsh 1969 70 Coventry 1970 71 London Welsh 1971 72 Bristol 1972 73 Coventry 1973 74 Bristol 1974 75 Rosslyn Park 1975 76 Northampton 1976 77 Moseley 1977 78 London Welsh 1978 79 London Welsh 1979 80 Leicester 1980 81 Leicester 1981 82 Gloucester 1982 83 Coventry 1983 84 Wasps 1984 85 Bath 1985 86 Leicester 1986 87 BathPrecursor competitions editWhile there were experiments with county leagues in the north in the nineteenth century 1 for most of rugby union s history there have been no organised leagues The 1970s saw the creation of a national cup and a series of regional and county merit leagues the most important of which being the North Midlands South West and London merit league In 1984 this was taken one step further with the creation of two national merit leagues for the top twenty four clubs based around playing a minimum of sixteen fixtures against each other a factor which led to Exeter s exclusion after consideration The top division had three clubs from each of the major merit leagues In these clubs had to play a minimum of eight fixtures against the other clubs in their division but it was largely based around pre existing fixtures There was a system of promotion and relegation between the Merit Tables 1985 saw the addition of a third national merit table albeit without promotion and relegation to the top two 1984 85 season edit The initial lineups of the merit tables was as follows Merit Table A Bath Bristol Coventry Gloucester Gosforth Harlequins Leicester London Irish London Scottish Moseley Orrell Sale Merit Table B Bedford Blackheath Headingley Liverpool London Welsh Northampton Nottingham Richmond Rosslyn Park Saracens Wasps Waterloo Merit Table A Champions Sale Relegated Coventry London Irish OrrellMerit Table B Promoted Headingley Nottingham Wasps1985 86 edit This year saw the creation of Merit Table C with the following clubs Birmingham Exeter Fylde Metropolitan Police Morley Nuneaton Plymouth Roundhay Sheffield Vale of Lune Wakefield West Hartlepool Merit Table A Champions Gloucester Relegated Gosforth Headingley 2 Merit Table B Promoted 1st Orrell 2nd Coventry Liverpool merge with non league St Helens to become Liverpool St Helens Merit Table C Champions not promoted 1986 87 edit Merit Table A Champions Bath 3 Relegated to National 2 London Scottish Merit Table B Promoted into National 1 Waterloo Merit Table C Champions not promoted Relegated to Area League North Roundhay Admitted to National 3 MaidstoneFoundation of the national league system editIn 1987 the merit tables formed the basis of the top three divisions of the national league system For the first season there were no fixed fixtures so clubs had to arrange their own to a minimum of ten out of eleven opponents only one game against each club could count For the initial season there was no promotion and relegation between National 2 and National 3 but this was created for the following season National 3 had a minimum of two clubs per region with the top four clubs in the previous season s Merit Table C getting a guaranteed spot outside this quota thus Roundhay missed out on a spot to Maidstone In 1988 clubs had their fixtures set by the league for them though still only played each other once Initial composition of major leagues edit National 1 Bath Bristol Coventry Gloucester Harlequins Leicester Moseley Nottingham Orrell Sale Wasps Waterloo National 2 Bedford Blackheath Gosforth Headingley Liverpool St Helens London Irish London Scottish London Welsh Northampton Richmond Rosslyn Park Saracens National 3 Birmingham Exeter Fylde Maidstone Metropolitan Police Morley Nuneaton Plymouth Sheffield Vale of Lune Wakefield West Hartlepool Area League North Birkenhead Park Broughton Park Derby Durham City Lichfield Northern Preston Grasshoppers Roundhay Rugby Solihull Stourbridge Area League South Askeans Camborne Cheltenham Havant Lydney Salisbury Sidcup Southend Streatham Croydon Stroud Sudbury 1987 88 season edit Main article 1987 88 Courage League National 1 Champions Leicester Relegated Coventry SaleNational 2 Promoted Liverpool St Helens Rosslyn ParkNational 3 Champions not promoted Wakefield Relegated Birmingham Morley both to Area League North Area League North Promoted Rugby Relegated Birkenhead Park Derby Solihull Promoted into league Stoke Winnington ParkArea League South Promoted Askeans Relegated Streatham Croydon Promoted into league Ealing Redruth 1988 89 season edit Main article 1988 89 Courage League National 1 Champions Bath Relegated Liverpool St Helens WaterlooNational 2 Promoted Bedford Saracens Relegated London Scottish London WelshNational 3 Promoted Rugby Plymouth Relegated Maidstone Metropolitan Police both to Area League South Area League North Promoted Roundhay Relegated Birmingham Promoted into league Kendal WalsallArea League South Promoted Lydney Relegated Ealing Sidcup Stroud Promoted into league Basingstoke Clifton 1989 90 season edit Main article 1989 90 Courage League National 1 Champions Wasps Relegated BedfordNational 2 Promoted Liverpool St Helens NorthamptonNational 3 Promoted London Scottish Wakefield Relegated to National 4 South London Welsh Area League North Promoted Broughton Park Morley Promoted into league Birmingham Solihull Harrogate Hereford OtleyArea League South Promoted Clifton Metropolitan Police Relegated Salisbury Promoted into league Ealing Maidenhead North Walsham Weston super Mare 1990 91 season edit Main article 1990 91 English Premiership rugby union For the 1990 91 season all divisions were increased to 13 teams and the Area Leagues were renamed National 4 North and National 4 South National 1 Champions Bath Relegated Liverpool St Helens MoseleyNational 2 Promoted London Irish Rugby Relegated Headingley RichmondNational 3 Promoted Morley West Hartlepool Relegated Metropolitan Police to 4 South Vale of Lune to 4 North National 4 North Promoted Otley Relegated Birmingham Solihull Stoke Promoted into league Aspatria TowcestriansNational 4 South Promoted Redruth Relegated Cheltenham Maidenhead Promoted into league High Wycombe Sidcup 1991 92 season edit Main article 1991 92 English Premiership rugby union National 1 Champions Bath Relegated Nottingham Rosslyn ParkNational 2 Promoted London Scottish West Hartlepool Relegated Liverpool St Helens PlymouthNational 3 Promoted Fylde Richmond Relegated Lydney to 4 South Nuneaton to 4 North Headingley and Roundhay merged to form Leeds National 4 North Promoted Aspatria Relegated Northern Vale of Lune Promoted into league Rotherham StokeNational 4 South Promoted Havant Relegated Ealing Sidcup Promoted into league Berry Hill Thurrock 1992 93 season edit Main article 1992 93 English Premiership rugby union National 1 Champions Bath Relegated London Scottish Rugby Saracens West HartlepoolNational 2 Promoted Newcastle Gosforth Relegated Bedford Blackheath Coventry Fylde Morley Richmond Rosslyn ParkNational 3 Promoted Otley Relegated to National 4 Askeans Aspatria Broughton Park Clifton Leeds Liverpool St Helens Plymouth Sheffield National 4 North Promoted into National 4 Harrogate Relegated Towcestrians Promoted into league Birmingham Solihull Bradford amp BingleyNational 4 South Promoted Sudbury Relegated Thurrock Promoted into league Reading TabardIntroduction of home and away fixtures edit1993 94 season edit Main article 1993 94 English Premiership rugby union The 1993 94 season saw the reduction in size of the national divisions to 10 teams and the creation of a new National 4 division It also saw the introduction of home and away fixtures National 4 North and South kept its same format but were now renamed to National 5 North and South National 1 Champions Bath Relegated London Irish Newcastle GosforthNational 2 Promoted Sale West Hartlepool Relegated Otley RugbyNational 3 Promoted Coventry Fylde Relegated Havant RedruthNational 4 Promoted Clifton Harrogate Relegated Sheffield to 5 North Sudbury to 5 South National 5 North Promoted Rotherham Relegated Bradford amp Bingley Durham City Promoted into league Barkers Butts WharfedaleNational 5 South Promoted Reading Relegated Maidstone Southend Promoted into league Barking Henley 1994 95 season edit Main article 1994 95 English Premiership rugby union National 1 Champions Leicester Relegated NorthamptonNational 2 Promoted Saracens Relegated Coventry FyldeNational 3 Promoted Bedford Blackheath Relegated Clifton ExeterNational 4 Promoted Reading Rotherham Relegated Askeans to 5 South Broughton Park to 5 North National 5 North Promoted Walsall Relegated Barkers Butts Hereford Promoted into league Sandal WorcesterNational 5 South Promoted London Welsh Relegated Basingstoke Sudbury Promoted into league Camberley Cheltenham 1995 96 season edit Main article 1995 96 English Premiership rugby union National 1 Champions BathNational 2 Promoted London Irish NorthamptonNational 3 Promoted Coventry Richmond Rotherham RugbyNational 4 No promotion as merged into National 3 Relegated Aspatria to 4 North Plymouth to 4 South National 5 North Promoted Wharfedale Relegated Broughton Park Promoted into league Hereford ManchesterNational 5 South Promoted Lydney Relegated Camborne Promoted into league Charlton Park NewburyAdvent of professionalism edit1996 97 season edit Main articles 1996 97 English Premiership rugby union and National Division One 1996 97 This year saw the expansion of the top two divisions to 12 teams and the temporary expansion of National 3 to sixteen clubs It also saw National 5 North and South revert to being National 4 North and South expanded to 14 teams and for the first time with home and away fixtures The leagues became openly professional this year National 1 Champions Wasps Relegated Orrell West HartlepoolNational 2 Promoted Newcastle Richmond Relegated Nottingham RugbyNational 3 Promoted Exeter Fylde Relegated Clifton Havant Redruth all three to 2 South Walsall to 2 North National 4 North Promoted Worcester Relegated Hereford Stoke Promoted into league Hinckley Sedgley ParkNational 4 South Promoted Newbury Relegated Askeans Berry Hill Charlton Park High Wycombe Promoted into league Bridgwater EsherTwo premierships era edit1997 98 season edit Main articles 1997 98 Allied Dunbar Premiership and 1997 98 Allied Dunbar Premiership Two The 1997 98 season saw the addition of sponsorship by Allied Dunbar and as a result a rebranding of National 1 and 2 to Premiership 1 and 2 whereas National 3 became the new National 1 while National 4 North and South became National 2 North and South accordingly Premiership 1 Champions Newcastle Falcons Relegated BristolPremiership 2 Promoted Bedford London Scottish West HartlepoolNational 1 Promoted Leeds London Welsh Rugby Worcester National 2 North Promoted Birmingham Solihull Manchester Promoted into league New Brighton WhitchurchNational 2 South Promoted Camberley Henley Promoted into league Bracknell Norwich 1998 99 season edit Main articles 1998 99 Allied Dunbar Premiership and 1998 99 Allied Dunbar Premiership Two The 1998 99 season saw the expansion of the two premiership divisions to fourteen teams Premiership 1 Champions Leicester Relegated West Hartlepool London Scottish and Richmond disbandPremiership 2 Promoted Bristol Relegated Blackheath FyldeNational 1 Promoted Henley Manchester Relegated Liverpool St Helens Morley both to 2 North National 2 North Promoted Preston Grasshoppers Relegated Hinckley Lichfield Winnington Park Promoted into league Bedford Athletic DoncasterNational 2 South Promoted Bracknell Relegated Havant Promoted into league Penzance amp Newlyn Westcombe Park 1999 2000 season edit Main articles 1999 2000 Allied Dunbar Premiership and 1999 2000 Allied Dunbar Premiership Two The 1999 2000 season saw the contraction of Premiership 1 to twelve teams with London Scottish and Richmond being absorbed into London Irish and reforming in county leagues Premiership 1 Champions Leicester Relegated BedfordPremiership 2 Promoted Rotherham Relegated Rugby West HartlepoolNational 1 Promoted Birmingham Solihull Otley Relegated Blackheath Reading both to 3 South National 2 North Promoted Kendal Relegated Sheffield Promoted into league Dudley Kingswinford TynedaleNational 2 South Promoted Esher Relegated Bridgwater amp Albion Metropolitan Police Norwich Promoted into league Basingstoke LauncestonOne Premiership era edit2000 01 season edit Main articles 2000 01 Zurich Premiership and National Division One 2000 01 The 2000 01 season saw Zurich take over the sponsorship of the top division with no interest in the second tier This saw Premiership 2 rebranded National 1 with National 1 and 2 North and South becoming National 2 and 3 North and South respectively It also saw the creation of a promotion play off between the runners up of the National 3 divisions with an extra relegation place from National 2 A new Championship competition for the top eight clubs was introduced this season It was intended that the winners of the Championship would become champions 4 but this decision was revoked after outcry This season also saw the introduction of the rugby union bonus points system Premiership Champions Leicester Relegated RotherhamNational 1 Promoted Leeds Relegated Orrell WaterlooNational 2 Promoted Bracknell Rugby Relegated Camberley Lydney both to 3 South West Hartlepool to 3 North National 3 North Promoted Sedgley Park Stourbridge Relegated Aspatria Walsall Promoted into league Blaydon Darlington Mowden Park ScunthorpeNational 3 South Promoted Plymouth Relegated Basingstoke Cheltenham Reading Weston super Mare Promoted into league Cinderford Old Colfeians Old Patesians2001 02 season edit Main articles 2001 02 Zurich Premiership and National Division One 2001 02 Premiership Champions LeicesterNational 1 Champions not promoted Rotherham Relegated Bracknell HenleyNational 2 Promoted Orrell Plymouth Relegated Preston Grasshoppers Waterloo both to 3 North Rosslyn Park to 3 South National 3 North Promoted Doncaster Relegated Morley Sandal West Hartlepool Whitchurch Promoted into league Broadstreet Halifax Hull IoniansNational 3 South Promoted Launceston Penzance amp Newlyn Relegated Cinderford Clifton Promoted into league Basingstoke Havant Weston super Mare2002 03 season edit Main articles 2002 03 Zurich Premiership and National Division One 2002 03 This season saw the replacement of the Zurich Championship with a top four play off the winner of which would be crowned champions Premiership Champions Wasps Relegated BristolNational 1 Promoted Rotherham Relegated Moseley RugbyNational 2 Promoted Henley Penzance amp Newlyn Relegated Fylde Kendal both to 3 North Launceston to 3 South National 3 North Promoted Nuneaton Relegated Bedford Athletic Broadstreet Hull Ionians Scunthorpe Promoted into league Darlington Longton MacclesfieldNational 3 South Promoted Lydney Rosslyn Park Relegated Camberley Havant Promoted into league Dings Crusaders Haywards Heath Southend2003 04 season edit Main articles 2003 04 Zurich Premiership and National Division One 2003 04 Premiership Champions Wasps Relegated RotherhamNational 1 Promoted Worcester Relegated Manchester Wakefield disbandNational 2 Promoted Nottingham Sedgley Park Relegated Lydney to 3 South Rugby to 3 North National 3 North Promoted Waterloo Relegated Liverpool St Helens Longton Preston Grasshoppers Promoted into league Bedford Athletic Bradford amp Bingley CleckheatonNational 3 South Promoted Blackheath Launceston Relegated Basingstoke Old Colfeians Promoted into league Havant Hertford Reading2004 05 season edit Main articles 2004 05 Zurich Premiership and National Division One 2004 05 Premiership Champions Wasps Relegated HarlequinsNational 1 Promoted Bristol Relegated Henley OrrellNational 2 Promoted Doncaster Newbury Relegated Bracknell Rosslyn Park both to 3 South Nuneaton to 3 North National 3 North Promoted Halifax Relegated Bedford Athletic Dudley Kingswinford Rugby Promoted into league Hull Ionians Leicester Lions Preston GrasshoppersNational 3 South Promoted Barking Redruth Relegated Haywards Heath Tabard Weston super Mare Promoted into league Bridgwater amp Albion Cambridge Cinderford2005 06 season edit Main articles 2005 06 Guinness Premiership and National Division One 2005 06 The 2005 06 season saw Zurich replaced as Premiership sponsors by GuinnessPremiership Champions Sale Relegated LeedsNational 1 Promoted HarlequinsNational 2 Promoted Moseley Waterloo Relegated Orrell to 3 North National 3 North Promoted Bradford amp Bingley Nuneaton Relegated Kendal New Brighton Promoted into league Morley Rugby West Park St HelensNational 3 South Promoted Cambridge Relegated Bracknell Reading Promoted into league Canterbury Chinnor Clifton2006 07 season edit Main articles 2006 07 Guinness Premiership and National Division One 2006 07 The 2006 07 season saw National 1 expanded to sixteen clubs Premiership Champions Leicester Relegated NorthamptonNational 1 Promoted Leeds Relegated Otley WaterlooNational 2 Promoted Esher Launceston Relegated Barking to 3 South Bradford amp Bingley Harrogate both to 3 North National 3 North Promoted Blaydon Relegated Darlington Cleckheaton Orrell Promoted into league Beverley CaldyNational 3 South Promoted Southend Westcombe Park Relegated Chinnor Hertford Old Patesians Promoted into league Ealing London Scottish Luton Mounts Bay2007 08 season edit Main articles 2007 08 Guinness Premiership and National Division One 2007 08 Premiership Champions Wasps Relegated LeedsNational 1 Promoted Northampton Relegated Birmingham Solihull LauncestonNational 2 Promoted Manchester Otley Relegated Halifax Nuneaton both to 3 North Henley to 3 South National 3 North Promoted Tynedale Relegated Beverley Morley West Park St Helens Transferred to 3 South Rugby Promoted into league Huddersfield Kendal Loughborough StudentsNational 3 South Promoted Cinderford Mounts Bay Relegated Clifton Luton North Walsham Promoted into league Chinnor Richmond Worthing2008 09 season edit Main articles 2008 09 Guinness Premiership and National Division One 2008 09 Premiership Champions Leicester Relegated BristolNational 1 Promoted Leeds Relegated Esher Manchester Newbury Otley Sedgley ParkNational 2 Promoted Birmingham Solihull Relegated Southend Westcombe Park both to 2 South Waterloo to 2 North Mounts Bay disbandNational 3 North Promoted Nuneaton Relegated Darlington Mowden Park Halifax disband Promoted into league Broadstreet Hull WestoeNational 3 South Promoted London Scottish Relegated Chinnor Havant Transferred to 2 North Rugby Promoted into league Barnes Clifton ShelfordAdditional National 3 divisions edit The 2009 10 season saw the creation of several National 3 divisions The North and South divisions were replaced with North Midlands South West and London divisions National 3 North Beverley Birkenhead Park Chester Cleckheaton Darlington Mowden Park Middlesbrough Morley Penrith Rochdale Rossendale Sheffield Tigers Stockport West Hartlepool West Park St Helens National 3 Midlands Ampthill Bedford Athletic Bromsgrove Hereford Hinckley Kenilworth Kettering Longton Luctonians Luton Malvern Newport Salop Peterborough South Leicester National 3 South West Barnstable Bournemouth Chinnor Chippenham Cleve Coney Hill Exmouth Maidenhead Old Patesians Oxford Harlequins Reading Redingensians Taunton Weston super Mare National 3 London Basingstoke Bishop s Stortford Bracknell Diss Dorking Havant Haywards Heath Hertford Jersey North Walsham Old Albanians Portsmouth Sutton amp Epsom Tring 2009 10 season edit Main article 2009 10 Guinness Premiership See also 2009 10 RFU Championship and 2009 10 National League 1 The 2009 10 season saw major changes to the league system below the Premiership The second tier was reduced to twelve teams and rebranded the RFU Championship with a play off system and only one relegation spot National 2 and 3 North and South reverted to National 1 and National 2 North and South and were expanded to sixteen teams Four National 3 divisions were created based around the top regional leagues with fourteen teams in each see above National play offs for the title were created for the winners of the National 2 and National 3 divisions A similar play off series was created for the eight winners of the regional divisions Premiership Champions Leicester Relegated WorcesterChampionship Promoted Exeter Relegated CoventryNational 1 Promoted Esher Relegated Manchester Nuneaton both to National 2 North Newbury to National 2 South National 2 North Promoted Macclesfield Relegated Broadstreet to 3 Midlands Bradford amp Bingley Waterloo both to 3 North National 2 South Promoted Barking Rosslyn Park Relegated Barnes to 3 London Bridgwater amp Albion to 3 South West National 3 North Promoted Morley Relegated Cleckheaton West Hartlepool West Park St Helens Transferred to 3 Midlands Sheffield Tigers Promoted in Billingham Lymm SandalNational 3 Midlands Promoted Hinckley to 2 South Luctonians to 2 North Relegated Bedford Athletic Kettering Transferred to 3 London Ampthill Promoted in Burton Old Northamptonians ScunthorpeNational 3 South West Promoted Taunton Relegated Chippenham Maidenhead Reading Promoted in Cheltenham Hartpury College Newton AbbotNational 3 London Promoted Jersey Old Albanians Relegated Haywards Heath Portsmouth Sutton amp Epsom Promoted in Civil Service Gravesend Staines2010 11 season edit Main article 2010 11 Guinness Premiership See also 2010 11 RFU Championship and 2010 11 National League 1 Premiership Champions Saracens Relegated Leeds Championship Promoted Worcester Relegated Birmingham SolihullNational 1 Promoted London Scottish Relegated Otley to National 2 North Launceston Redruth both to National 2 South National 2 North Promoted Fylde Relegated Manchester Rugby Lions both to 3 Midlands Morley to 3 North National 2 South Promoted Ealing Trailfinders Jersey Relegated Canterbury to 3 London Hinckley to 3 Midlands Newbury to 3 South West National 3 North Promoted Stockport Relegated Billingham Middlesbrough Rochdale Promoted in Altrincham Kersal Burnage West HartlepoolNational 3 Midlands Promoted Bromsgrove Sheffield Tigers Relegated Burton Kenilworth Peterborough Transferred to 3 London Luton Promoted in Dudley Kingswinford Mansfield SystonNational 3 South West Promoted Hartpury College Relegated Cheltenham Cleve Coney Hill Promoted in Amersham amp Chiltern Chippenham Old RedcliffiansNational 3 London Promoted Barnes Hertford Relegated Basingstoke Diss North Walsham Promoted in London Irish Amateurs Tonbridge Juddian Westcliff2011 12 season edit Main article 2011 12 Aviva Premiership See also 2011 12 RFU Championship and 2011 12 National League 1 PremiershipChampions Harlequins Relegated Newcastle FalconsChampionshipPromoted London Welsh Relegated EsherNational 1Promoted Jersey Relegated Birmingham amp Solihull Stourbridge both to National 2 North Barking to National 2 South National 2 NorthPromoted Loughborough Students Relegated Harrogate Kendal both to 3 North Nuneaton to 3 Midlands National 2 SouthPromoted Old Albanians Richmond Relegated Barnes Hertford Westcombe Park to 3 London National 3 NorthPromoted Darlington Mowden Park Relegated Beverley Altrincham Kersal Morley Promoted in Billingham Percy ParkNational 3 MidlandsPromoted Dudley Kingswinford to 2 North Rugby Lions were due to be promoted to 2 South but were expelled before the season started Relegated Hereford Old Northamptonians Manchester Transferred to 3 South West Malvern Promoted in Sutton Coldfield Bournville Derby SandbachNational 3 South WestPromoted Bournemouth Chinnor Relegated Old Redcliffians Newbury Blues Bridgwater amp Albion Promoted in Maidenhead Brixham Avonmouth Old BoysNational 3 LondonPromoted Canterbury Relegated Bracknell Luton Havant Transferred to 3 Midlands Ampthill Transferred to 3 South West London Irish Amateurs Promoted in Thurrock Guernsey Old Elthamians2012 13 season edit Main article 2012 13 Aviva Premiership See also 2012 13 RFU Championship and 2012 13 National League 1 PremiershipChampions Leicester Tigers Relegated London WelshChampionshipPromoted Newcastle Falcons Relegated Doncaster KnightsNational 1Promoted Ealing Trailfinders Relegated Macclesfield Sedgley Park both to National 2 North Cambridge to National 2 South National 2 NorthPromoted Hull Ionians Relegated Huddersfield Stockport Westoe all to 2 North National 2 SouthPromoted Henley Hawks Worthing Relegated Barking to 3 London Lydney to 3 South West National 3 NorthPromoted Chester Harrogate Relegated Birkenhead Park Kendal West Hartlepool Transferred to 3 Midlands Lymm Promoted in Beverley Morley SaleNational 3 MidlandsPromoted Ampthill to 2 South Relegated Derby Mansfield Promoted in Bedford Athletic Old HalesoniansNational 3 South WestPromoted Exmouth London Irish Amateur Relegated Maidenhead Malvern Oxford Harlequins Promoted in Bracknell Old Centralians Old Redcliffians Worcester WanderersNational 3 LondonPromoted Bishop s Stortford Relegated Gravesend Staines Westcliff Promoted in Basingstoke Bury St Edmunds East Grinstead2013 14 season edit Main article 2013 14 Aviva Premiership See also 2013 14 RFU Championship and 2013 14 National League 1 PremiershipChampions Northampton Saints Relegated Worcester WarriorsChampionshipPromoted London Welsh Relegated Ealing TrailfindersNational 1Promoted Doncaster Knights Relegated Henley Hawks Worthing Raiders both to National 2 South Hull Ionians to National 2 North National 2 NorthPromoted Darlington Mowden Park Macclesfield Relegated Bromsgrove Dudley Kingswinford both to 3 Midlands Sheffield Tigers to 3 North National 2 SouthPromoted Hartpury College Relegated Bournemouth Exmouth both to 3 South West London Irish Amateur to 3 London Transferred to 2 North AmpthillNational 3 NorthPromoted Huddersfield Stockport Relegated Bradford amp Bingley Penrith Percy Park Promoted in Cleckheaton Huddersfield YMCA WirralNational 3 MidlandsPromoted Broadstreet Relegated Bedford Athletic Newport Syston Transferred to 3 North Lymm Promoted in Burton Lichfield Peterborough LionsNational 3 South WestPromoted Lydney Relegated Avonmouth Old Boys Chippenham Worcester Wanderers Promoted in Chard Hornets Oxford Harlequins Transferred to 3 London Amersham amp ChilternNational 3 LondonPromoted Dorking Old Elthamians Relegated Barking Basingstoke Thurrock Promoted in Chichester Gravesend Westcliff2014 15 season edit Main article 2014 15 Aviva Premiership See also 2014 15 RFU Championship and 2014 15 National League 1 PremiershipChampions Saracens Relegated London WelshChampionshipPromoted Worcester Warriors Relegated Plymouth AlbionNational 1Promoted Ealing Trailfinders Relegated Macclesfield Tynedale both to National 2 North Old Albanians to National 2 South National 2 NorthPromoted Ampthill Hull Ionians Relegated Birmingham amp Solihull to 3 Midlands Hull Stockport to 3 North National 2 SouthPromoted Henley Hawks Relegated Dings Crusaders Lydney both to 3 South West Shelford to 3 London National 3 NorthPromoted Sale Amateurs Sandal Relegated Beverley Morley Westoe Promoted in Birkenhead Park Ilkley SheffieldNational 3 MidlandsPromoted South Leicester Relegated Bournville Burton Dudley Kingswinford Promoted in Newport Salop Old Northamptonians SystonNational 3 South WestPromoted Redingensians Relegated Chard Oxford Harlequins Weston super Mare Promoted in Cleve Chippenham Ivybridge Transferred to 3 London BracknellNational 3 LondonPromoted Barnes Bury St Edmunds Relegated Amersham amp Chiltern CS Rugby 1863 Tring Promoted in Colchester Eton Manor WimbledonSee also editEnglish rugby union system Premiership Rugby RFU Championship National League 1References edit Latham Michael Mather Tom The Rugby League Myth Stephen Jones ed 1986 Rothmans Rugby Yearbook 1986 87 London Queen Anne Press Jones Stephen ed 1987 Rothmans Rugby Yearbook 1987 88 London Queen Anne Press p 125 ISBN 0356147916 Leicester livid as seasons spoils are left up for grabs The Independent 10 February 2001 Retrieved 28 January 2009 Other sources editThe Times newspaper 1984 onwards News articles and results section External links editMoseley s history featuring many of the tables for the above leagues Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title History of the English rugby union system amp oldid 1157286545, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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