The rugby union league structure in England is a pyramid. At the top sits the Premiership, and below it are more than ten levels of national, regional and county leagues. Clubs move between levels through promotion and relegation, so a small club can, in theory, climb a long way.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) runs the England RFU leagues below the Premiership. In 2022, the RFU restructured the lower levels, introducing the Regional and Counties leagues used today.
England RFU Leagues by Level
| Level | League | Who plays there |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Premiership | Professional clubs such as Bath, Leicester Tigers and Saracens |
| 2 | Championship | Professional and semi-professional clubs |
| 3 | National League 1 | The top semi-professional and ambitious amateur clubs |
| 4 | National League 2 (East, North, West) | Strong amateur clubs split by region |
| 5 | Regional 1 | Regional leagues across England |
| 6 | Regional 2 | Smaller regional leagues |
| 7–11 | Counties 1 to Counties 5 | Community clubs, second teams and social sides |
The number of Counties levels varies by area. For example, some regions only go down to Counties 3, while others run further.
How Promotion and Relegation Work
In most leagues, the top club wins promotion and the bottom club drops down. However, promotion into the Premiership also depends on a club meeting minimum standards, such as ground facilities.
Below National League 2, leagues are grouped by geography. As a result, amateur clubs spend less time travelling and more time playing local rivals.
Where Does My Club Play?
Every club profile in our directory shows where the club is based. So to find clubs at a particular level near you, start with a regional page such as South West rugby clubs or Surrey rugby clubs.
Rugby Union Leagues in Wales, Scotland and Ireland
Wales, Scotland and Ireland run their own club pyramids under the WRU, Scottish Rugby and the IRFU. Their professional teams, meanwhile, play in the United Rugby Championship rather than the English leagues.
Rugby league has a separate structure. For that code, read our guide to UK rugby leagues.
Rugby Union League Structure FAQs
What is the top rugby union league in England?
The Premiership is the top level. The Championship sits directly below it.
How many levels are there in the English rugby union pyramid?
There are more than ten levels, from the Premiership down to the Counties leagues. However, the exact depth varies by region.
Who runs the England RFU leagues?
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) runs the English league system below the Premiership. It also sets the rules for promotion between levels.
When did the RFU leagues change?
The RFU restructured the lower levels in 2022. As part of that change, it created the Regional and Counties leagues.
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