Historically, there were no leagues allowed as these were seen as a sign of professionalism. In the 1970s the RFU allowed the creation of regional merit leagues with the most significant ones being the North, Midlands, South West and London merit leagues. In 1984 the RFU approved the creation of two national merit tables where clubs had to play a minimum of eight games against the clubs in their division. 1985 saw the creation of a third national merit league. In 1987 this was formed into a true national league system.
Previous restructures The format and competitiveness of the leagues has changed greatly since the leagues were first formed and a widespread and global restructuring of the leagues was announced in November 2008, for implementation from the 2009–10 season. Under this new structure, the top league remained the 12-team
Gallagher Premiership. The second tier league was rebranded and restructured as the
RFU Championship which replaced the old National Division One. This league also had 12 teams, and like the Premiership, is
professional. Beneath the two professional leagues, the National Leagues were restructured to include a new 16 team
National League 1, 16 team
National League 2 South and 16 team
National League 2 North. The four top regional leagues became part of National League 3 at level five. For the 2017-18 season, the National League 3 leagues were renamed to have Premier as part of their title in order to make a distinction between regional rugby union and the National Leagues above. Other changes that season saw
London 3 North East be replaced by two new leagues -
London 3 Eastern Counties and
London 3 Essex - with teams transferred depending on location.
Recent restructures Community game In 2020, it was announced that a new league structure would be implemented in the community game from 2022–23. The new structure which was partly in response to the
COVID-19 pandemic will be reviewed every three years and saw the following changes: • The size of leagues at levels 3 and 4 are capped at 14 teams (down from 16). • The size of leagues at level 5 and below are capped at 12 teams (down from 14). • Level 4 will consist of three leagues (up from 2). • Level 5 will consist of six leagues (up from 4). • Level 6 will consist of twelve leagues (up from 8). • A shortened season and protected breaks over Christmas and at specified other times for player welfare. • Leagues largely regional based to reduce travel. • An optional cup competition introduced for level 5 and below. Below level 6 leagues sizes will depend on number of teams and geographical location.
Professional game In February 2021, the RFU approved a
moratorium on relegation from both the Premiership and Championship in response to uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It was also confirmed that league structure and minimum standards criteria for promotion were being reviewed. The moratorium only covered relegation and did not include promotion from the Championship meaning the Premiership expanded to 13 teams with the Championship reduced to 11 in 2021–22 with the promotion of
Saracens. In June 2021, as part of the wider review the moratorium was extended by a further two years in the Premiership and also included relegation from the Championship in 2021–22 and promotion from the Championship following the 2022–23 season. This means the Premiership may be further expanded to 14 teams in 2022–23 and the Championship may be reduced to 10. A summary of changes is outlines below: • Premiership expanded to 13 teams in 2021–22; Championship reduced to 11 • Premiership may expand to 14 teams in 2022–23; Championship may reduce to 10. No team relegated from Premiership or promoted from Championship • Introduction of a play-off between the bottom placed team in Premiership and top placed team in Championship in 2023–24 with the winner playing in the Premiership the following season. Promotion remains subject to minimum standards which have been reviewed and include several factors. ==Level 1: Premiership Rugby ==