Barnstaple RFC
Barnstaple, Devon
North Devon club competing in the South West leagues with a proud history in the region.
South West rugby is some of the most passionate in England. This page lists all 70 clubs we hold across the region, grouped by county. So whether you live in Penzance or Swindon, you can find your nearest club in seconds.
At the top level, England's South West is home to four Premiership clubs: Bath Rugby, Bristol Bears, Exeter Chiefs and Gloucester Rugby. Below them, however, sits a deep network of community clubs, many of them well over a century old.
| County | Clubs listed | Notable clubs |
|---|---|---|
| Devon | 21 | Exeter Chiefs, Plymouth Albion RFC |
| Cornwall | 16 | Cornish Pirates, Redruth RFC, Camborne RFC |
| Somerset | 7 | Bath Rugby, Taunton RFC |
| Gloucestershire | 8 | Gloucester Rugby, Cinderford RFC, Stroud RFC |
| Bristol | 7 | Bristol Bears, Clifton RFC, Dings Crusaders RFC |
| Dorset | 6 | Dorchester RFC, Weymouth RFC |
| Wiltshire | 5 | Chippenham RFC, Marlborough RFC |
Scroll down to see South West rugby clubs county by county. For the city itself, see our dedicated page on rugby clubs in Bristol.
For many fans, Cornwall is the heartland of South West rugby. It treats rugby almost as a national sport. In fact, clubs such as Redruth RFC and Camborne RFC draw some of the most loyal crowds in the community game.
Beyond Cornwall, South West rugby has plenty of variety. Devon, Somerset and Gloucestershire, meanwhile, combine big city clubs with market-town sides. As a result, players in the South West can find everything from elite academies to relaxed social rugby within a short drive.
Bath Rugby, Bristol Bears, Exeter Chiefs and Gloucester Rugby all play in the South West. Together, they make the region a powerhouse of the Premiership.
We currently list 70 clubs across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Bristol, Dorset and Wiltshire. So South West rugby is one of the best-covered regions in the directory.
Yes, there is. Cornwall RLFC brings professional rugby league to the region, although rugby union remains the main code.
Start with your county section above. Then open each club profile and use the map link to check the distance from home.
We add new clubs every week. So if your club is not listed yet, register it for free and reach players searching near you.
Register Your Club FreeThe RFU registers over 1,900 rugby union clubs in England alone, with a further 800+ clubs across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The UK Rugby Club Directory lists 470 of the most prominent clubs. Use the search tool above to find rugby union clubs near you.
Rugby union is played with 15 players per side under World Rugby rules. Rugby league is played with 13 players per side and is strongest in the North of England. Both codes are covered in this directory — use the filter buttons to search union or league clubs separately.
Almost all community rugby union clubs actively welcome adult beginners. Find a club near you using this directory, contact them via their profile page, and ask about beginner or social rugby sessions. Most clubs offer a free trial before committing to membership.
Below the Gallagher Premiership and RFU Championship, the English pyramid runs through National Leagues 1 and 2 and then regional divisions — London & SE, Midlands, North and South West — all the way to county and local league level.
Yes — most rugby union clubs now have dedicated women's and girls' sections. The RFU's Allianz Premier 15s is the top domestic women's league in England, with a full pyramid of regional and county leagues below it.