Regional 1 South East


Regional 1 South East is a level five league in the English rugby union system. It is one of six leagues at this level. When this division began in 1987 it was known as London Division 1. The format of the league was changed at the beginning of the 2009–10 season following re-organisation by the Rugby Football Union while the name change from National League 3 to Premier was introduced for the 2017–18 season to make it more obvious that it is a regional league. London & South East Premier was the highest regional rugby union league covering London and south east England. Following the RFU Adult Competition Review the league was decreased from 14 to 12 and the name changed to Regional 1 South East. Part of the area formerly covered by London & South East Premier is now covered by a new league Regional 1 South Central.
Oundle are the current champions.

Format

The twelve teams play home and away matches from September through to March, 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, however
  • 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
The first-placed team at the end of season wins promotion to National League 2 East. Two teams are relegated to either Regional 2 South East, Regional 2 Anglia or Regional 2 Thames depending on location

Season 2025–26

Departing were Oundle, promoted to National 2 East whilst Harpenden and Bedford Athletic were relegated to Regional 2 Thames and Regional 2 Midlands East respectively.
TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Amersham & ChilternWeedon LaneAmersham, Buckinghamshire10th
ColchesterRaven Park1,200Colchester, EssexRelegated from National 2 East
HertfordHighfieldsWare, Hertfordshire6th
Letchworth Garden CityLegends Lane, Baldock RoadLetchworth, HertfordshireRunners-up
MedwayPriestfieldsRochester, KentPromoted from Regional 2 South East
North WalshamNorwich Road1,200Scottow, Norfolk5th
Old NorthamptoniansSir Humphrey Cripps PavilionNorthampton, Northamptonshire4th
ShelfordThe Davey Field2,000 Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire8th
Southend SaxonsWarners Park1,500 Southend, Essex9th
SudburyWhittome FieldGreat Cornard, Sudbury, Suffolk3rd
TringPendley Sports Centre750Tring, Hertfordshire7th
WestcliffThe Gables1,000Eastwood, EssexPromoted from Regional 2 Anglia

Season 2024–25

Departing were Colchester, promoted to National League 2 East whilst Rochford Hundred and Westcliff were relegated to Regional 2 Anglia.
Joining were North Walsham, relegated from National League 2 East, together with Amersham & Chiltern and Southend Saxons, promoted from Regional 2 Thames and Regional 2 Anglia respectively.
TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Amersham & ChilternWeedon LaneAmersham, BuckinghamshirePromoted from Regional 2 Thames
Bedford AthleticPutnoe Woods500Bedford, Bedfordshire10th
HarpendenRedbourn LaneHarpenden, Hertfordshire3rd
HertfordHighfieldsWare, Hertfordshire7th
Letchworth Garden CityLegends Lane, Baldock RoadLetchworth, Hertfordshire4th
North WalshamNorwich Road1,200Scottow, NorfolkRelegated from National League 2 East
Old NorthamptoniansSir Humphrey Cripps PavilionNorthampton, Northamptonshire9th
OundleOccupation RoadOundle, Northamptonshire6th
ShelfordThe Davey Field2,000 Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire5th
Southend SaxonsWarners Park1,500 Southend, EssexPromoted from Regional 2 Anglia
SudburyWhittome FieldGreat Cornard, Sudbury, Suffolk2nd
TringPendley Sports Centre750Tring, Hertfordshire8th

Season 2023–24

Departing were Westcombe Park, promoted to National League 2 East whilst Medway and Sidcup were relegated to Regional 2 South East.
Joining were Rochford Hundred, relegated from National League 2 East, together with Letchworth Garden City and Old Northamptonians, promoted from Regional 2 Anglia and Regional 2 East Midlands respectively. Also coming in were Oundle on a level transfer from Regional 1 Midlands.

Participating teams and locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Bedford AthleticPutnoe Woods500Bedford, Bedfordshire7th
ColchesterRaven Park1,200Colchester, Essex3rd
HarpendenRedbourn LaneHarpenden, Hertfordshire4th
HertfordHighfieldsWare, Hertfordshire9th
Letchworth Garden CityLegends Lane, Baldock RoadLetchworth, HertfordshirePromoted from Regional 2 Anglia
Old NorthamptoniansSir Humphrey Cripps PavilionNorthampton, NorthamptonshirePromoted from Regional 2 East Midlands
OundleOccupation RoadOundle, NorthamptonshireTransferred from Regional 1 Midlands
Rochford HundredThe Rugby Park1,000Hawkwell, Rochford, EssexRelegated from National League 2 East
ShelfordThe Davey Field2,000 Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire2nd
SudburyWhittome FieldGreat Cornard, Sudbury, Suffolk8th
TringPendley Sports Centre750Tring, Hertfordshire5th
WestcliffThe Gables1,000Eastwood, EssexRelegated from National League 2 East

2022–23

Six of the twelve teams participated in the 2021–22 competition. They are joined by Shelford, Sudbury, Colchester and Harpenden, all promoted from London 1 North, together with Medway and Bedford Athletic promoted from London 1 South and Midlands 1 East respectively. Sutton & Epsom, Maidenhead, Havant, Wimbledon and Brighton were level transferred to Regional 1 South Central. Other teams leaving the division were Dorking, Sevenoaks and North Walsham who were promoted to National League 2 East. There was no relegation from the league at the end of last season.

Participating teams

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Bedford AthleticPutnoe Woods500Bedford, BedfordshirePromoted from Midlands 1 East
ColchesterRaven Park1,200Colchester, EssexPromoted from London 1 North
CS Rugby 1863King's House Sports GroundChiswick, London14th
HarpendenRedbourn LaneHarpenden, HertfordshirePromoted from London 1 North
HertfordHighfieldsWare, Hertfordshire4th
MedwayPriestfieldsRochester, KentPromoted from London 1 South
ShelfordThe Davey Field2,000 Great Shelford, CambridgeshirePromoted from London 1 North
Sidcup RFCCrescent FarmSidcup, London9th
SudburyWhittome FieldGreat Cornard, Sudbury, SuffolkPromoted from London 1 North
TringPendley Sports Centre750Tring, Hertfordshire10th
Tunbridge WellsSt Marks Recreation Ground3,000Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent13th
Westcombe ParkGoddington Dene3,200 Orpington, London6th

2021–22

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in the 2019–20 competition. They are joined by Sutton & Epsom who were relegated from National League 2 South, along with three promoted sides; Havant, North Walsham and Westcombe Park. Maidenhead who played in South West Premier in 2019-20 were level transferred into London & South East Premier as the nearest club geographically to address an imbalance of teams in the league. Teams leaving the division included Rochford Hundred who were promoted into National League 2 South as champions along with Guernsey Raiders who won the virtual promotion play-off against Weston-super-Mare RFC, while teams relegated from the league included Bedford Athletic, Guildford and London Irish Wild Geese.
The teams competing in 2021–22 achieved their places in the league based on performances in 2019–20, the 'previous season' column in the table below refers to that season not 2020-21.

Participating teams

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
BrightonWaterhall Playing FieldsBrighton, East Sussex9th
CS Rugby 1863King's House Sports GroundChiswick, London11th
DorkingThe Big Field1,000+Dorking, Surrey5th
HavantHook's Lane1,500Havant, HampshirePromoted from London 1 South
HertfordHighfieldsWare, Hertfordshire4th
MaidenheadBraywick Park1,750 Maidenhead, BerkshireLevel transfer from South West Premier
North WalshamNorwich Road1,200Scottow, NorfolkPromoted from London 1 North
SevenoaksKnole Paddock1,000Sevenoaks, Kent7th
SidcupCrescent FarmSidcup, London8th
Sutton & EpsomRugby LaneCheam, LondonRelegated from National 2 South
TringPendley Sports Centre750Tring, Hertfordshire10th
Tunbridge WellsSt Marks Recreation Ground3,000Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent6th
Westcombe ParkGoddington Dene3,200 Orpington, LondonPromoted from London 1 South
WimbledonBeverley Meads1,000Raynes Park, London3rd

2020–21

On 30 October the RFU announced that due to the coronavirus pandemic a decision had been taken to cancel Adult Competitive Leagues for the 2020/21 season meaning London & South East Premier was not contested.

2019–20

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Guernsey and London Irish Wild Geese who were relegated from National League 2 South, along with three promoted sides; Brighton, Rochford Hundred and Sevenoaks.
Teams leaving the division included Sutton & Epsom who were promoted into National League 2 South as champions and Westcliff who won the promotion playoff, while teams relegated from the league included Brentwood, Chingford and Shelford.

Participating teams

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Bedford AthleticPutnoe Woods500Bedford, Bedfordshire6th
BrightonWaterhall Playing FieldsBrighton, East SussexPromoted from London 1 South
CS Stags 1863King's House Sports GroundChiswick, London10th
DorkingThe Big Field1,000+Dorking, Surrey9th
Guernsey RaidersFootes Lane5,000 Saint Peter Port, GuernseyRelegated from National 2 South
GuildfordBroadwater Sports ClubFarncombe, Surrey11th
HertfordHighfieldsWare, Hertfordshire5th
London Irish Wild GeeseHazelwood2,000Sunbury-on-Thames, SurreyRelegated from National 2 South
Rochford HundredThe Rugby Park1,000Hawkwell, Rochford, EssexPromoted from London 1 North
SevenoaksKnole Paddock1,000Sevenoaks, KentPromoted from London 1 South
SidcupCrescent FarmSidcup, London8th
TringPendley Sports Centre750Tring, Hertfordshire4th
Tunbridge WellsSt Marks Recreation Ground3,000Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent7th
WimbledonBeverley Meads1,000Raynes Park, London3rd

2018–19

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Wimbledon who were relegated from National League 2 South, along with four promoted sides; Bedford Athletic, Brentwood, Chingford and CS Rugby 1863. Bedford Athletic had initially been promoted into Midlands Premier but were level transferred into London & South East Premier as the nearest club geographically to address an imbalance of teams in the league. Teams leaving the division included Barnes who were promoted into National League 2 South as champions along with Guernsey who won the promotion playoff, while teams relegated from the league included Southend Saxons, Towcestrians and Westcombe Park.

Participating teams

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Bedford AthleticPutnoe Woods500Bedford, BedfordshirePromoted from Midlands 1 East
BrentwoodKing George's Playing Fields3,000Brentwood, EssexPromoted from London 1 North
ChingfordLea Valley Playing FieldsChingford, LondonPromoted from London 1 North
CS Rugby 1863King's House Sports GroundChiswick, LondonPromoted from London 1 South
DorkingThe Big Field1,000+Dorking, Surrey9th
GuildfordBroadwater Sports ClubFarncombe, Surrey11th
HertfordHighfieldsWare, Hertfordshire4th
ShelfordThe Davey Field2,000 Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire7th
SidcupCrescent FarmSidcup, London8th
Sutton & EpsomRugby LaneCheam, London10th
TringPendley Sports Centre750Tring, Hertfordshire3rd
Tunbridge WellsSt Marks Recreation Ground3,000Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent5th
WestcliffThe Gables1,000Eastwood, Essex6th
WimbledonBeverley Meads1,000Raynes Park, LondonRelegated from National 2 South

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in the London & South East Premier and South West Premier participate in a play-off for the third promotion place to National League 2 South. The team with the best playing record, in this case Westcliff, hosted the match and beat their opponents Barnstaple 44 – 5 to win promotion to National League 2 South for the first time. This was Westcliff's first appearance in the play-offs and Barnstaple's second; in 2016 Barnstaple beat Tonbridge Juddians 31 – 30 at Tonbridge. The home team have won fifteen out of nineteen play-off matches and the south-east team have won the play-off thirteen times.
----

2017–18

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Barnes who were relegated from National League 2 South along with three promoted teams Sidcup, Tring and Tunbridge Wells. Tonbridge Juddians were promoted into National League 2 South as champions along with Wimbledon who won the promotion playoff. Teams relegated from the league included Amersham & Chiltern and Colchester and Chichester. To address an imbalance of teams, Towcestrians were level transferred into the league from the Midlands Premier, as they were the nearest team geographically.

Participating teams

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
BarnesBarn ElmsBarnes, LondonRelegated from National League 2 South
DorkingThe Big Field1,000+Dorking, Surrey8th
GuernseyFootes Lane5,000 Saint Peter Port, Guernsey5th
GuildfordBroadwater Sports ClubFarncombe, Surrey9th
HertfordHighfieldsWare, Hertfordshire3rd
ShelfordThe Davey Field2,000 Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire6th
SidcupCrescent FarmSidcup, LondonPromoted from London 1 South
Southend SaxonsWarners Park1,500 Southend, Essex11th
Sutton & EpsomRugby LaneCheam, London10th
TowcestriansGreens Norton RoadTowchester, NorthamptonshireLevel transfer from Midlands Premier
TringPendley Sports Centre750Tring, HertfordshirePromoted from London 1 North
Tunbridge WellsSt Marks Recreation Ground3,000Royal Tunbridge Wells, KentPromoted from London 1 South
WestcliffThe Gables1,000Eastwood, Southend-on-Sea, Essex7th
Westcombe ParkGoddington Dene3,200 Orpington, London4th

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in the London & South East Premier, and South West Premier participate in a play-off for promotion to National League 2 South. The team with the best playing record, in this case Guernsey RFC, hosted the match and beat their opponents Bournemouth 38 – 23 to win promotion.

2016–17

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Dorking and Southend Saxons who were relegated from National 2 South while three promoted teams, Amersham & Chiltern, Guildford and Sutton & Epsom were promoted into the league. London Irish Wild Geese were promoted to National League 2 South as champions while Eton Manor and Gravesend were relegated to London 1 North and London 1 South respectively. Originally, Westcliff were supposed to go down as the 14th placed team, but they were granted a reprieve when East Grinstead decided to take voluntary relegation, due to the loss of a key sponsor and dropped five leagues to Sussex Spitfire 1. Finally Bracknell were level transferred back to National League 3 South West after just one season to address an imbalance in teams after having finished 11th.
Current results see:-

Participating teams

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Amersham & ChilternWeedon LaneAmersham, Buckinghamshirepromoted from London 1 North
ChichesterOaklands ParkChichester, West Sussex10th
ColchesterMill Road Playing FieldsColchester, Essex9th
DorkingThe Big Field1,000+Dorking, Surreyrelegated from National League 2 South
GuernseyFootes Lane5,000 Saint Peter Port, Guernsey6th
GuildfordBroadwater Sports ClubFarncombe, Surreypromoted from London 1 South
HertfordHighfieldsWare, Hertfordshire4th
ShelfordThe Davey Field2,000 Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire7th
Southend SaxonsWarners Park1,500 Southend, Essexrelegated from National League 2 South
Sutton & EpsomRugby LaneCheam, Londonpromoted from London 1 South
Tonbridge JuddiansThe Slade1,500Tonbridge, Kent2nd
WestcliffThe Gables1,000Eastwood, Southend-on-Sea, Essex12th
Westcombe ParkGoddington Dene3,200 Orpington, London5th
WimbledonBeverley Meads1,000Raynes Park, Merton, London8th

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in the National League 3 London and SE, and National League 3 South West participate in a play-off for promotion to National League 2 South. The team with the best playing record, in this case Wimbledon RFC, hosted the match and beat their opponents Dings Crusaders RFC 55 – 5 to win promotion.
----

2015–16

Participating clubs

Promotion play-off

The runners-up in the National League 3 London and SE, and National League 3 South West participate in a play-off for promotion to National League 2 South. The team with the best playing record, in this case Tonbridge Juddian, host the match and their opponents are Barnstaple. Juddians lost the match 31 – 30 to a penalty in the last minute of the match and will stay in National 3 London and SE for next season.
----
----

2014–15

Participating clubs

Promotion play-off

The runners-up in the National League 3 London and SE, and National League 3 South West participate in a play-off for promotion to National League 2 South. The team with the best playing record, in this case Exmouth, hosts the match; their opponents were Barnes and the match was played on 25 April 2015. At the end of full-time the match score was 22 – 22, and Barnes scored the only points in extra-time, to win the match 27– 22.
----
After extra time
----

2013–14

Participating clubs

2012–13

Participating clubs

Results

2011–12

Participating clubs

Results

2010–11

Participating clubs

2009–10

Participating clubs

First season as a national league

Original teams

When league rugby began in 1987 this division contained the following teams:

Regional 1 South East honours

In the first season of the English rugby union league pyramid, sponsored by Courage, there was four, tier five leagues. These were London Division 1, Midland Division 1, North Division 1 and South West Division 1. In 1987 the geographical area for teams in the south-east of England was known as the London and South East Division and covered the counties of Essex, Hampshire, Kent, Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Surrey and Sussex. The league was also known as London League 1 and London 1. There were eleven teams in the league and they played each team once, giving each team ten matches. This system prevailed for five seasons, and in 1992–93 the number of teams increased from eleven to thirteen. The following season the league was reorganised and the four tier five leagues became two; National 5 North and National 5 South. After three seasons, in 1996–97, a further reorganisation occurred, and there was a return to four, tier five leagues; with London Division One covering the same area as before. This system prevailed until 2009–10 when the number of teams was increased from twelve to fourteen and renamed National League Three London & South East. The league name changed once more for the 2017–18, when it was renamed to London & South East Premier.

London Division One (1987–93)

The original London Division One was a tier five league with promotion up to Area League 2 South and relegation down to either London 2 North or London 2 South.
SeasonNo of teamsNo of matchesChampionsRunners-upRelegated teamsReference
1987–881110EalingRuislipEsher, Upper Clapton
1988–891110BasingstokeSutton & EpsomGuildford & Godalming, Dartfordians
1989–901110North WalshamEalingNo relegation
1990–911110SidcupCheshuntUS Portsmouth
1991–921110ThurrockEton ManorCheshunt, Ruislip, Lewes
1992–931312TabardEalingBarking, Old Colfeians, Old Mid-Whitgiftian, Old Alleynian, Dorking, Old Gaytonians, Sidcup

London Division One

The top six teams from London Division One and the top six from South West Division One were combined to create National 5 South. London Division 1 was now the name of a tier six league and was one of two feeder leagues for National 5 South.
SeasonNo of teamsNo of matchesChampionsRunners-upRelegated teamsReference
1993–941312BarkingEalingThurrock, Dorking, Old Alleynian
1994–951312CamberleyEsherStreatham-Croydon, Eton Manor, Maidstone
1995–961312Charlton ParkSouthendEaling

London Division One

For the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 South was discontinued and London Division One returned to being a tier five league. Promotion was to National 4 South, while relegation continued to London 2 North and London 2 South.
SeasonNo of teamsNo of matchesChampionsRunners-upRelegated teamsReference
1996–971413EsherNorwichSouthend, Thurrock
1997–981716NorwichStainesAskeans
1998–991716Westcombe ParkStainesSouthend, Charlton Park
1999–001716BasingstokeStainesCheshunt, Sudbury, Old Mid-Whitgiftian, Wimbledon, Ruislip, Woodford
2000–011120Old ColfeiansHavantGuildford & Godalming, Thurrock
2001–021222HavantBasingstokeCambridge
2002–031222SouthendHaywards HeathCheshunt, Northwich, Winchester
2003–041222HavantHertfordHarlow, Camberley, Staines
2004–051222CambridgeWorthingThanet Wanderers, Sutton & Epsom, London Nigerian
2005–061222CanterburyRichmondTabard, Old Colfeians
2006–071222London ScottishEaling TrailfindersGuildford, Haywards Heath, Staines
2007–081222RichmondWorthingThanet Wanderers, Basingstoke, CS Rugby 1863
2008–091222ShelfordBarnesNo relegation

National League 3 London & SE

The division was renamed National League 3 London & SE following a restructuring of the national leagues which led to changes at all levels. It continued as a tier 5 league with promotion to National League 2 South and relegation to either London 1 North or London 1 South.

London & South East Premier

The division was renamed London & South East Premier in order to make it more obvious that it was a regional league and the pinnacle of the London & South East region. It continued to be a tier 5 league with promotion to National League 2 South and relegation to London 1 North or London 1 South.

Regional 1 South East

Following a reorganisation of the league structure by the RFU, this league is now one of six at tier 5. Promotion is to National League 2 East and relegation to either Regional 2 Anglia, Regional 2 South East or Regional 2 Thames depending on location.

Promotion play-offs

Between seasons 2000–01 and 2018–19 there has been a play-off between the runners-up of London & South East Premier and South West Premier for the third and final promotion place to National League 2 South. The team with the superior league record has home advantage. At the end of the 2019–20 season the London and south-east teams have been the most successful with thirteen wins to the south-west teams six; and the home team has won promotion on fifteen occasions compared to the away teams four.

Number of league titles