RFU North Regional Organising Committee
RFU North Regional Organising Committee
The RFU are consulting with Regional One and Two clubs about the structure of the league and cup programme for future seasons.
Structured Season 25-26 Presentation - Playoffs - Regional Only
FOR CLUBS PLAYING IN REGIONAL 1 & 2 LEAGUES IN 2025/26
Dear Club
As many of you may know, in the last few months it has been agreed in principle to introduce playoffs through the National Leagues, starting next season. The overall sense was that play-offs would bring strong additional value to the league programme, and work is now underway to develop draft regulations to take back to the National League Rugby Executive for their input. These changes follow those adopted by ‘Champ Rugby’ (Tier 2) and as a result also present opportunities for us now to accelerate or look at potential similar initiatives to Regional levels of rugby across England. We know from Clubs at Regional level that there is appetite from many for change relating to the existing Cup model and we have been discussing formats to do this alongside the overall goal of offering a playing programme that maintains interest in the league season right to the end. We now want to speak to Clubs to get their ideas and feedback to shape the season at Regional levels, we think the introduction of playoffs could be an effective way to go but we want Clubs’ help in shaping any future development.
We would therefore like to invite you to a webinar to gain your feedback on the existing league and cup schedule and a proposal for an alternative enhanced league programme that concludes with play-offs for promotion and relegation, as well as any other ideas you may have. The below video from Terry Burwell, Chair of Adult Competitions Management Committee, and attached slide deck should bring to life the rationale for change as well as some ideas for potential changes to how the season is delivered.
On the webinar, it would be ideal if your club had an administrator/committee member, DOR/Coach or a senior player. We would also request that you speak with your players prior to the meeting to get feedback on the options. If you require any clarification or if you have any initial feedback or questions, please email Competitions-Development@rfu.com. It should be stressed that this is not a league review or restructure, the core principles of the current structured are retained, and any changes would constitute a change of regulation, potentially for season 25/26. The dates for webinars are split across different regional groupings of clubs, please sign up for the one that is most relevant to you.
We look forward to your contribution
Terry Burwell – Adult Competitions Chair – 07710 472824 - TerryBurwell@rfu.com
Chris Brookes – Adult Competitions Council Member – 07999 494378 - ChristopherBrookes@RFU.com
Ben Lowe – Player Experience Director RFU – 07595 863013 - BenLowe@RFU.com
Additional background
· At Regional level, the present Cup competition has been in place for three seasons and in 24/25 the level of clubs not entering or withdrawing from the competition has meant only 32/72 clubs at Regional One and 64/144 at Regional Two have participated.
· Additional data evidence suggests reduced interest and player availability in post Xmas league fixtures with increased meaningless matches for a number of clubs in each league.
· An alternative to the Cup competition is to focus on the league competition, providing greater promotion opportunity and increased interest and jeopardy through an end of season play-off model.
· Teams winning each league are automatically promoted and qualify for a Champions Cup at each level of the competition providing high interest climax to season
· Play-offs would take place in the window currently reserved for Cup competitions at end of season with no impact on County Championship schedule.
· Increasing opportunity for promotion also increases jeopardy in the league programme
· Clubs not involved in play-offs could participate in an end of season Cup competition if the demand is there to supply one
· No change in league structure is required, only a change to regulation to define mechanism for promotion and relegation.
Dates for the webinars:
9th June – Regional One
6.00pm – Southeast * Southwest * Northeast
8.00pm – South Central * Midlands * Northwest
10th June – Regional Two
6.00pm – Southwest * Southeast * Midlands North
8.00pm – Severn * Anglia * Northwest
11th June – Regional Two
6.00pm – South Central * Midlands East * North
8.00pm – Thames * Midlands West * Northeast
Please complete the form in the following link to immediately receive the meeting link via email:
The RFU structure for the 2025-26 season has been approved. Please find below the details for Regional One and Two, along with a briefing note to accompany it. Counties One and below will follow ASAP.
Regional One and Two Structure
Regional One and Two Structured Season
Counties One and Below Structure
The latest picture of promotion and relegation across the country is available to view here, and will be updated each week.
Please note that the RFU regulations now allow for lower XV teams to be promoted up to level six / Regional 2.
The RFU have released their pre-season briefing document ahead of the 2024-25 season.
The latest regulations for the 2023-24 Papa John's Community Cup have been released by the RFU.
RFU Guidance, end of season 2023-24
The RFU has issued further guidance about the end of season and transition towards the Papa John's Community Cup competitions.
Click here to read their latest guidance as of March 12 2024.
Jersey Reds Reprieve
Their unfortunate demise means there will be a reprieve from relegation at each league level. This will be determined by the Best Playing Record (RFU definition in Regulation 1). The spreadsheet here provides the current situation and how this will be determined at the end of the season. The reprieve at Regional 2 will follow down the Counties Leagues of that reprieved club.
Counties One Promotion
This will be the top placed 1st XV from each Counties One League and a further SIX clubs who finish in 2nd place with the Best Playing Record. The spreadsheet here provides the current situation and how this will be determined at the end of the season.
Updated 03 Mar 24
The RFU has stated that under no circumstances will the league programme be extended beyond Saturday 6th April.
They have also decided that Saturday 10th February will be changed from a Break Saturday to a Reserve/NAW (next available weekend), meaning that any further postponements will be rearranged on the 10th Feb, followed by the two other Next Available Weekends (24th Feb and 9th March).
The ROC may also, alter the sequence of rearranged games in accordance with our Admin Instruction 4(d) if:
(i) it is apparent that an alternative sequence would conclude some or all outstanding matches earlier than might otherwise occur or;
(ii) in their opinion, it is beneficial to the competition, e.g., to prioritise end-of-season fixtures with a view to concluding promotion and relegation issues including play-offs.
Under the RFU league structure introduced last season the number of promotion and relegation places can vary widely depending on several factors.
The days of ‘two up, two down’ have gone, and the North Regional Organising Committee want all clubs to know that there is no certainty any more as there are many variables in the calculation.
Game On! Regulations can help you get a game of rugby even if you don't have 15 players. This document helps you to sort things out with your opponents to make sure it's fair, safe and rewarding!
This document has been produced to update clubs on key information for the upcoming 2023/24 season. It will contain updates on both the leagues and Papa Johns Men’s Community Cup Competitions. Additionally it will also offer information on other processes such as Appeals. Also offered is guidance and information on other useful topics such as Game On and Floodlights.
League Structure for 2023-24 season
The structure of the leagues for 2023-24 have been released.
Click here to download the National 1 & 2 and Regional 1 & 2
Click here for Counties 1 and below
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