Welsh rugby union system

Welsh rugby union system
Country	Wales
Sport	Rugby union
Promotion and relegation	Yes
National system
Federation	Rugby Football Union
Top division	United Rugby Championship
Second division	Welsh Championship
	Rugby union in Wales

The top level of competition in the Welsh rugby union system is the United Rugby Championship (formerly the Celtic League, PRO12 and PRO14) which is a league of professional teams from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy and South Africa. Wales currently has four entries in the URC: Cardiff Rugby, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets.

United Rugby Championship

This is a closed league with no promotion or relegation; teams are effectively franchises. The teams also compete in the European Rugby Champions Cup (known as the Heineken Champions Cup for sponsorship reasons) and the European Rugby Challenge Cup.

2021-22 league system

Level	League(s)/Division(s)
1	Welsh Premiership 12 clubs - 1 relegation
2	Welsh Championship 14 clubs - 1 promotion, 4 relegations
3	WRU Division 1 East 12 clubs - 1 qualification for promotion finals and 2 relegations	WRU Division 1 Central East 12 clubs - 1 qualification for promotion finals and 2 relegations	WRU Division 1 West 12 clubs - 1 qualification for promotion finals and 2 relegations	WRU Division 1 Central West 12 clubs - 1 qualification for promotion finals and 2 relegations	WRU Division 1 North 12 clubs - No promotion and 2 relegations
4	WRU Division 2 East 12 clubs - 2 promotions and 2 relegations	WRU Division 2 Central East 12 clubs - 2 promotions and 2 relegations	WRU Division 2 West 12 clubs - 2 promotions and 2 relegations	WRU Division 2 Central West 12 clubs - 2 promotions and 2 relegations	WRU Division 2 North 12 clubs - 2 promotions and 2 relegations
5	WRU Division 3 East 12 clubs - Teams divided into 4 groups 2 promotions after promotion finals	WRU Division 3 Central East 12 clubs - Teams divided into 3 groups 2 promotions after promotion finals	WRU Division 3 West 12 clubs - Teams divided into 2 groups 2 promotions after promotion finals	WRU Division 3 Central West 12 clubs - Teams divided into 3 groups 2 promotions after promotion finals	WRU Division 3 North 12 clubs - 1 group, 2 promotions

2013-14 league system

Level	League(s)/Division(s)
1	Welsh Premier Division 20 clubs – 3 relegations
2	Welsh Championship 24 clubs – 3 promotions, 3 relegations
3	WRU Division One East 24 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations		WRU Division One West 24 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations		WRU Division One North 24 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations
4	WRU Division Two East 24 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations		WRU Division Two North 24 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations		WRU Division Two West 24 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations
5	WRU Division Three East 22 clubs – 2p, 2r	WRU Division Three North 22 clubs – 2p, 2r	WRU Division Three South East 22 clubs – 2p, 2r	WRU Division Three South West 22 clubs – 2p, 2r	WRU Division Three West 24 clubs – 2p, 3r
6	WRU Division Four East 22 clubs – 2p, 2r	WRU Division Four South East 22 clubs – 2p, 2r	WRU Division Four South West 22 clubs – 2p, 2r	WRU Division Four West 22 clubs – 2p, 2r
7	WRU Division Five East 22 clubs – 2p, 2r	WRU Division Five South Central 22 clubs – 2p, 2r	WRU Division Five South East 22 clubs – 2p, 2r	WRU Division Five South West 22 clubs – 2p, 2r	WRU Division Five West 24 clubs – 2p, 3r
8	WRU Division Six Central 22 clubs – 2p, 2r	WRU Division Six East 22 clubs – 2p, 2r	WRU Division Six South East 22 clubs – 2p, 2r	WRU Division Six West 22 clubs – 2p, 2r

United Rugby Championship

2021-22 league system

2013-14 league system

See also