Counties 1 Essex

Counties 1 Essex is an English level 7 rugby union regional league for rugby clubs in London and the south-east of England including sides from Essex and Greater London. Administration of the leagues is divided between Essex Rugby and the London & SE RFU.
Braintree are the current champions.

Structure and format

The twelve teams play home and away matches from September through to April, making a total of twenty-two matches each. The results of the matches contribute points to the league as follows:

4 points are awarded for a win.
2 points are awarded for a draw.
0 points are awarded for a loss.

In addition:

1 losing point is awarded to a team that loses a match by 7 points or fewer
1 additional point is awarded to a team scoring 4 tries or more in a match

There is one automatic promotion place and two relegation places. The first-placed team at the end of season wins promotion to Regional 2 Anglia. The last two placed clubs are typically relegated to Counties 2 Essex.

2025–26

Participating clubs and locations

Departing were Braintree, promoted to Regional 2 Anglia while Burnham-on-Crouch and Basildon were relegated to Counties 2 Essex.

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
Billericay	Willowbrook	1,000	Billericay, Essex	Promoted from Counties 2 Essex
Campion	Cottons Park		Romford, London	4th
Chingford	Lea Valley Playing Fields		Chingford, London	9th
East London	Memorial Park		West Ham, London	6th
Epping Upper Clapton	Upland Road		Thornwood, Epping, Essex	7th
Maldon	Drapers Farm Playing Fields		Heybridge, Essex	4th
Mavericks	Warley Playing Field		Warley, Brentwood, Essex	10th
Old Cooperians	Coopers' Company & Corborn School		Upminster, London	8th
Romford & Gidea Park	Crowlands		Romford, London	3rd
Stanford-le-Hope	Stanford Recreation Ground		Stanford-le-Hope, Essex	Promoted from Counties 2 Essex
Thurrock	Oakfield		Grays, Essex	Relegated from Regional 2SE
Upminster	Hall Lane		Upminster, London	5th

2024–25

Participating clubs and locations

Departing were Wanstead, promoted to Regional 2 Anglia and Stanford-le-Hope relegated to Counties 2 Essex. In their place came Burnham-on-Crouch and Basildon.

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
Basildon	Gardiners Close		Basildon, Essex	Promoted from Counties 2 Essex
Braintree	Robbswood		Braintree, Essex	2nd
Burnham-on-Crouch	Dengie Hundred Sports Centre		Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex	Promoted from Counties 2 Essex
Campion	Cottons Park		Romford, London	9th
Chingford	Lea Valley Playing Fields		Chingford, London	11th
East London	Memorial Park		West Ham, London	4th
Epping Upper Clapton	Upland Road		Thornwood, Epping, Essex	3rd
Maldon	Drapers Farm Playing Fields		Heybridge, Essex	7th
Mavericks	Warley Playing Field		Warley, Brentwood, Essex	5th
Old Cooperians	Coopers' Company & Corborn School		Upminster, London	10th
Romford & Gidea Park	Crowlands		Romford, London	6th
Upminster	Hall Lane		Upminster, London	8th

2023–24

Participating clubs and locations

Departing were Dagenham and Harlow, promoted to Regional 2 Anglia, and South Woodham Ferrers relegated to Counties 2 Essex. In their place came Chingford East LondonMemorial ParkWest Ham, London5thEpping Upper ClaptonUpland RoadThornwood, Epping, Essex7thMaldonDrapers Farm Playing FieldsHeybridge, EssexPromoted from Counties 2 Essex MavericksWarley Playing FieldWarley, Brentwood, Essex9thOld CooperiansCoopers' Company & Corborn SchoolUpminster, London10thRomford & Gidea ParkCrowlandsRomford, London8thStanford-le-HopeStanford Recreation GroundStanford-le-Hope, EssexPromoted from Counties 2 Essex UpminsterHall LaneUpminster, London11thWansteadCentenary FieldsWanstead, London3rd

2022–23

Participating clubs and locations

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review. The league was substantially similar to London 3 Essex with the teams finishing 1st–10th returning. Kings Cross Steelers and Canvey Island, who finished 11th and 12th respectively, were placed in Counties 2 Essex. The line-up was supplemented by the addition of Wanstead and South Woodham Ferrers.

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
Braintree	Robbswood		Braintree, Essex	8th London 3 Essex
Campion	Cottons Park		Romford, London	5th London 3 Essex
Dagenham	Central Park		Dagenham, London	1st London 3 Essex
East London	Memorial Park		West Ham, London	7th London 3 Essex
Epping Upper Clapton	Upland Road		Thornwood, Epping, Essex	9th London 3 Essex
Harlow	Latton Park		Harlow, Essex	2nd London 3 Essex
Mavericks	Warley Playing Field		Warley, Brentwood, Essex	8th London 3 Essex
Old Cooperians	Coopers' Company & Corborn School		Upminster, London	4th London 3 Essex
Romford & Gidea Park	Crowlands		Romford, London	3rd London 3 Essex
South Woodham Ferrers	Saltcoats Playing Field		South Woodham Ferrers, Essex	12th London 2 North East
Upminster	Hall Lane		Upminster, London	10th London 3 Essex
Wanstead	Centenary Fields		Wanstead, London	10th London 2 North East

Counties 1 Essex honours (2022–present)

Following the RFU Adult Competition Review, ten teams were transferred from London 3 Essex to Counties 1 Essex.a level seven league. Promotion is to Regional 2 Anglia and relegation to Counties 2 Essex