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 RFC262501958362 124
2Swansea RFC262204909386 107
3Merthyr RFC261907671452 89
4RGC 1404 RFC2615011848436 83
5Pontypool RFC2616010639483 77
6Narberth RFC2615110542562 70
7Cardiff Met RFC2614012648533 66
8Bridgend Athletic RFC2614012496465 65
9Tata Steel RFC2612014486651 58
10Glynneath RFC269017532653 43
11Newbridge RFC267118479777 39
12Llanharan RFC266020475663 33
13Tondu RFC264022461717 30
14Blackwood RFC2630233681372 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.
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