Welsh Championship

WRU Championship
Founded
2012
Nation
 Wales
Promotion to
Welsh Premier Division
Relegation to
WRU Division One East
WRU Division One West
Number of teams
14
Level on pyramid
Level 2
2015–16 League winners
Merthyr RFC
Website
www.wru.co.uk/eng/club/swalecchampionship/

The WRU Championship (also called the SWALEC Championship for sponsorship reasons) is a rugby union league in Wales first implemented by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) for the 2012–13 season.

Competition history

In 2012, the new division was formed from the restructuring of the Welsh Premier Division. the Premier Division was 'slimmed down' to 12 teams with Pontypool RFC and Tonmawr RFC relegated from the division. Tonmawr had already made the decision to opt out of the new league and would start the 2012–13 season in Division Six.

The teams for the league would be decided on three factors. Firstly, the holding of an 'A Licence' based on stadium criteria. The signing of a 'Participation Agreement' and judged on league results over the previous six seasons. It was originally decided that the Premiership would reduce in size to ten teams.[1] It was announced that four clubs, Pontypool, Tonmwar, Bridgend Ravens and Carmarthen Quins RFC had not achieved the required criteria to be included into the new league. However, pressure from Ospreys and Scarlets backers led to the league being extended to 12 teams with Bridgend and Camarthen included.[2] Tonmawr, citing financial reasons, opted not to take part in the new league at all and re-entered themselves into Division Six.[3]

Controversy

The new league was not without its controversy. Pontypool RFC launched a legal challenge to avoid being the only club relegated to the new division, which they ultimately lost on the grounds of 'meritocracy'.[4][5] Pontypool had finished 12th in the previous campaign, above rivals Bedwas RFC and level on points with historic rivals Newport RFC.

2014–15season

2014–15 teams

2014-15 Table

KEY
Champions
Relegated
Team Pld W D L PF PA Points
1Bargoed RFC 26 25 0 1 958 362 124
2 Swansea RFC 26 22 0 4 909 386 107
3 Merthyr RFC 26 19 0 7 671 452 89
4 RGC 1404 RFC 26 15 0 11 848 436 83
5 Pontypool RFC 26 16 0 10 639 483 77
6 Narberth RFC 26 15 1 10 542 562 70
7 Cardiff Met RFC 26 14 0 12 648 533 66
8 Bridgend Athletic RFC 26 14 0 12 496 465 65
9 Tata Steel RFC 26 12 0 14 486 651 58
10 Glynneath RFC 26 9 0 17 532 653 43
11 Newbridge RFC 26 7 1 18 479 777 39
12 Llanharan RFC 26 6 0 20 475 663 33
13 Tondu RFC 26 4 0 22 461 717 30
14 Blackwood RFC 26 3 0 23 368 1372 20
Correct as of 2015-05-27

2015–16 season

2015–16 teams

Winners

Season Winners
2012-13 Ebbw Vale
2013-14
2014-15 Bargoed
2015-16 Merthyr

References

  1. ↑ "Premier Division to be Reduced to ten teams". Bbc.co.uk. 2011-04-29. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  2. ↑ "Bridgend and Camarthen to join extended league". Bbc.co.uk. 2011-11-25. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  3. ↑ "Tonmawr drop out of league". Thisissouthwales.co.uk. 2012-08-03. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  4. ↑ "Pontypool 'not good' enough for league". Bbc.co.uk. 2012-07-11. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  5. ↑ "Pontypool lose legal challenge". Bbc.co.uk. 2012-06-26. Retrieved 2012-10-04.

External links

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