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.[1]
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.[2]
| 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 | ||||
| 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 | |||||