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 LevelLeague(s)/Division(s)1Welsh Premiership 12 clubs - 1 relegation2Welsh Championship 14 clubs - 1 promotion, 4 relegations3WRU Division 1 East 12 clubs - 1 qualification for promotion finals and 2 relegationsWRU Division 1 Central East 12 clubs - 1 qualification for promotion finals and 2 relegationsWRU Division 1 West 12 clubs - 1 qualification for promotion finals and 2 relegationsWRU Division 1 Central West 12 clubs - 1 qualification for promotion finals and 2 relegationsWRU Division 1 North 12 clubs - No promotion and 2 relegations4WRU Division 2 East 12 clubs - 2 promotions and 2 relegationsWRU Division 2 Central East 12 clubs - 2 promotions and 2 relegationsWRU Division 2 West 12 clubs - 2 promotions and 2 relegationsWRU Division 2 Central West 12 clubs - 2 promotions and 2 relegationsWRU Division 2 North 12 clubs - 2 promotions and 2 relegations5WRU Division 3 East 12 clubs - Teams divided into 4 groups 2 promotions after promotion finalsWRU Division 3 Central East 12 clubs - Teams divided into 3 groups 2 promotions after promotion finalsWRU Division 3 West 12 clubs - Teams divided into 2 groups 2 promotions after promotion finalsWRU Division 3 Central West 12 clubs - Teams divided into 3 groups 2 promotions after promotion finalsWRU Division 3 North 12 clubs - 1 group, 2 promotions
2013–14 league system LevelLeague(s)/Division(s)1Welsh Premier Division 20 clubs – 3 relegations2Welsh Championship 24 clubs – 3 promotions, 3 relegations3WRU Division One East 24 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegationsWRU Division One West 24 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegationsWRU Division One North 24 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations4WRU Division Two East 24 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegationsWRU Division Two North 24 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegationsWRU Division Two West 24 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations5WRU Division Three East 22 clubs – 2p, 2rWRU Division Three North 22 clubs – 2p, 2rWRU Division Three South East 22 clubs – 2p, 2rWRU Division Three South West 22 clubs – 2p, 2rWRU Division Three West 24 clubs – 2p, 3r6WRU Division Four East 22 clubs – 2p, 2rWRU Division Four South East 22 clubs – 2p, 2rWRU Division Four South West 22 clubs – 2p, 2rWRU Division Four West 22 clubs – 2p, 2r7WRU Division Five East 22 clubs – 2p, 2rWRU Division Five South Central 22 clubs – 2p, 2rWRU Division Five South East 22 clubs – 2p, 2rWRU Division Five South West 22 clubs – 2p, 2rWRU Division Five West 24 clubs – 2p, 3r8WRU Division Six Central 22 clubs – 2p, 2rWRU Division Six East 22 clubs – 2p, 2rWRU Division Six South East 22 clubs – 2p, 2rWRU Division Six West 22 clubs – 2p, 2r
See also Rugby union in Wales
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