Midlands 3 West (South)


Counties 2 Midlands West is a level 8 English Rugby Union league and level 3 of the [English Rugby, Warwickshire|Rugby Union Midland Division|Midlands League], made up of teams from the southern part of the West Midlands region including clubs from parts of Birmingham and the West Midlands, Herefordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and sometimes Oxfordshire, with home and away matches played throughout the season. When this division began in 1992 it was known as Midlands West 2, until it was split into two regional divisions called Midlands 4 West (North) and Midlands 4 West ahead of the 2000–01 season. Further restructuring of the Midlands leagues ahead of the 2009–10 season, led to it to adopt the name Midlands 3 West. Further restructuring followed in the wake of the RFU's Adult Competition Review, from season 2022-23 it was known, briefly as Counties 2 Midlands West, before the league was split East/West giving rise to its current name.
Promoted teams tend to move up to Counties 2 Midlands West (South) or Counties 2 Midlands West (North) depending on location. Relegated teams typically drop to Counties 3 Midlands West (South) or Counties 3 Midlands West or occasionally to Counties 3 Midlands West (North). Each year all clubs in the division also take part in the RFU Senior Vase - a level 8 national competition.

2025-26

Departing were Aston Old Edwardians promoted to Counties 1 Midlands West (North) and Earlsdon promoted to Counties 1 Midlands West (South) as champions and runners-up respectively. Meanwhile Broadstreet 2XV, Old Wheatleyans and Stoke Old Boys were relegated to Counties 3 Midlands West (East). Also leaving were Coalville who moved on a level transfer to Counties 2 Midlands East (North).

Participating teams & locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Barkers ButtsBob Coward Memorial GroundAllesley, Coventry, West MidlandsRelegated from Counties 1 Midlands West (South)
Berkswell & BalsallHoniley RoadBalsall Common, WarwickshireRelegated from Counties 1 Midlands West (South)
Birmingham & SolihullPortwayCapacity 5000Birmingham, West Midlands4th
Bournville IIAvery FieldsEdgbaston, Birmingham, West MidlandsPromoted from Counties 3 Midlands West (South)
Bromsgrove 2XVFinstall ParkBromsgrove, WorcestershireRelegated from Counties 1 Midlands West (South)
ClaverdonOssetts Hole LnClaverdon, Warwickshire7th
Coventry WelshBurbages LaneExhall, Coventry, West Midlands8th
HarborneMetchley ParkBirmingham, West MidlandsLevel transfer from Counties 2 Midlands West (West)
HarburyWaterloo FieldsHarbury, Warwickshire5th
Lutterworth IIAshby LaneLutterworth, LeicestershirePromoted from Counties 3 Midlands West (East)
SouthamThe Rugby FieldSoutham, Warwickshire6th
Upton-upon-SevernBanwell ParkUpton-upon-Severn, WorcestershirePromoted from Counties 3 Midlands West (South)

2024-25

Departing were Barkers Butts promoted to Counties 1 Midlands West (South) and Veseyans promoted to Counties 1 Midlands West (North). Uttoxeter and Woodrush were relegated. Walsall II moved on a level transfer to Counties 2 Midlands West (West)
Joining were Aston Old Edwardians, Broadstreet 2XV, Earlsdon, Harbury and Stoke Old Boys.
In November 2024 Coventrians withdrew from the league stating "decision was taken to protect the safety and well being of our players following a significant loss of playing personnel for various reasons including injury and retirement." The league will therefore be completed with eleven sides.

Participating teams & locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Aston Old EdwardiansSunnybank AvenueKingstanding, Birmingham, West MidlandsPromoted from Counties 3 Midlands West (North)
Birmingham & SolihullPortwayPortway, Birmingham, West Midlands5th
Broadstreet 2XVIvor Preece Field1,500 Binley Woods, Coventry, West MidlandsRelegated from Counties 1 Midlands West (South)
ClaverdonOssetts Hole LnClaverdon, Warwickshire6th
CoalvilleMemorial GroundCoalville, Leicestershire7th
Coventry WelshBurbages LaneExhall, Coventry, West Midlands4th
EarlsdonMitchell AvenueCanley, Coventry, West MidlandsRelegated from Counties 1 Midlands West (South)
HarburyWaterloo FieldsHarbury, WarwickshirePromoted from Counties 3 Midlands West (South)
Old WheatleyansStade WheatsCoundon, Coventry, West Midlands10th
SouthamThe Rugby FieldSoutham, Warwickshire9th
Stoke Old BoysAlbert Gale FieldBinley, Coventry, West MidlandsPromoted from Counties 3 Midlands West (South)

2023-24

The league name changed from Counties 2 Midlands West to Counties 2 Midlands West with a corresponding adjustment in the make up of the competing sides.
Departing were Alcester and Manor Park, both promoted to Counties 1 Midlands West (South); Pinley and Kenilworth II were both relegated to Counties 3 Midlands West (South); Rugby St Andrews were relegated to Counties 3 Midlands East (South); Burbage withdrew from league competition. Also leaving, but on a level transfer, were Bromyard and Tenbury to Counties 2 Midlands West (West).
Joining were Barkers Butts, Birmingham & Solihull, Coalville, Coventry Welsh, Old Coventrians, Uttoxeter, Veseyans and Walsall II.

Participating teams & locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
Barkers ButtsBob Coward Memorial GroundAllesley, Coventry, West MidlandsRelegated from Counties 1 Midlands West (South)
Birmingham & SolihullPortwayPortway, Birmingham, West MidlandsPromoted from Counties 3 Midlands West (South)
ClaverdonStadium of DreamsClaverdon, Warwickshire7th
CoalvilleMemorial GroundCoalville, LeicestershireRelegated from Counties 1 Midlands East (North)
CoventriansThe Black PadHolbrooks, Coventry, West MidlandsPromoted from Counties 3 Midlands West (South)
Coventry WelshBurbages LaneExhall, Coventry, West MidlandsRelegated from Counties 1 Midlands West (South)
Old WheatleyansStade WheatsCoundon, Coventry, West Midlands3rd
SouthamThe Rugby FieldSoutham, Warwickshire5th
UttoxeterOldfields Sports & Social Club2,000Uttoxeter, StaffordshireRelegated from Counties 1 Midlands West (North)
VeseyansMemorial GroundWalsall, West MidlandsLevel transfer from Counties 2 Midlands West (North)
Walsall IIBroadway Ground1,150 Walsall, West MidlandsNew entry
WoodrushIcknield StreetForhill, Worcestershire8th

2022-23

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review with the league adopting its new name of Counties 2 Midlands West.
Departing were Ledbury, Old Leamingtonians and Coventry Welsh all promoted to Counties 2 Midlands West (South). Stoke Old Boys were relegated.
Joining were Claverdon, Old Wheatleyans, Pinley and Kenilworth II.

Participating teams & locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
AlcesterBirmingham RoadAlcester, Warwickshire4th
BromyardClive Richards Sports GroundBromyard, Herefordshire11th
BurbageRecreation GroundBurbage, Leicestershire7th
ClaverdonStadium of DreamsClaverdon, WarwickshirePromoted from Midlands 4 WS
Kenilworth IIGlasshouse LaneKenilworth, WarwickshireNew entry
Manor ParkGriff & CotonNuneaton, Warwickshire5th
Old WheatleyansStade WheatsCoundon, Coventry, West MidlandsPromoted from Midlands 4 WS
PinleyWyken CroftWyken, Coventry, West MidlandsRelegated from Midlands 2 WS
Rugby St AndrewsAshlawn RoadRugby, Warwickshire6th
SouthamThe Rugby FieldSoutham, Warwickshire8th
TenburyPenluTenbury Wells, Worcestershire9th
WoodrushIcknield StreetForhill, Worcestershire10th

2021–22

Participating teams & locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
AlcesterBirmingham RoadAlcester, Warwickshire10th
BromyardClive Richards Sports GroundBromyard, HerefordshirePromoted from Midlands 4 WS
BurbageRecreation GroundBurbage, Leicestershire11th
Coventry WelshBurbages LaneExhall, Coventry, West Midlands4th
LedburyRoss RoadLedbury, Herefordshire6th
Manor ParkGriff & CotonNuneaton, Warwickshire8th
Old LeamingtoniansThe CroftsBlackdown, Warwickshire7th
Rugby St AndrewsAshlawn RoadRugby, Warwickshire3rd
SouthamThe Rugby FieldSoutham, WarwickshireRelegated from Midlands 2 WS
Stoke Old BoysAlbert Gale FieldBinley, Coventry, West Midlands9th
TenburyPenluTenbury Wells, WorcestershirePromoted from Midlands 4 WS
WoodrushIcknield StreetForhill, Worcestershire5th

2020–21

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020–21 season was cancelled.

2019–20

Participating teams & locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
AlcesterBirmingham RoadAlcester, Warwickshire8th
BedworthNicholas Chamberlaine SchoolBedworth, WarwickshirePromoted from Midlands 4 WS
Berkswell & BalsallHoniley RoadBalsall Common, Warwickshire5th
BurbageRecreation GroundBurbage, LeicestershirePromoted from Midlands 4 WS
Coventry WelshBurbages LaneExhall, Coventry, West Midlands9th
LedburyRoss RoadLedbury, Herefordshire4th
Manor ParkGriff & CotonNuneaton, Warwickshire6th
Old CoventriansTile Hill LaneTile Hill, Coventry, West MidlandsRelegated from Midlands 2 WS
Old LeamingtoniansThe CroftsBlackdown, Warwickshire3rd
Rugby St AndrewsAshlawn RoadRugby, WarwickshireRelegated from Midlands 2 WS
Stoke Old BoysAlbert Gale FieldBinley, Coventry, West Midlands10th
WoodrushIcknield StreetForhill, Worcestershire7th

2018–19

Participating teams & locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
AlcesterBirmingham RoadAlcester, Warwickshire5th
Berkswell & BalsallHoniley RoadBalsall Common, WarwickshireRelegated from Midlands 2 West (South)
Coventry WelshBurbages LaneExhall, Coventry, West MidlandsPromoted from Midlands 4 West (South)
LedburyRoss RoadLedbury, Herefordshire6th
Manor ParkGriff & CotonNuneaton, Warwickshire9th
Old LeamingtoniansThe CroftsBlackdown, Warwickshire4th
Old YardleiansTilehouse LaneShirley, Solihull, West MidlandsRelegated from Midlands 2 West (South)
PinleyWyken CroftWyken, Coventry, West MidlandsRelegated from Midlands 2 East (South)
Shipston-on-StourMayo Road600Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire3rd
Stoke Old BoysAlbert Gale FieldBinley, Coventry, West MidlandsPromoted from Midlands 4 West (South)
Upton-upon-SevernThe Sports FieldUpton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire10th
WoodrushIcknield StreetForhill, Worcestershire8th

2017–18

Participating teams & locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
AlcesterBirmingham RoadAlcester, WarwickshirePromoted from Midlands 4 West (South)
BromyardClive Richards Sports GroundBromyard, HerefordshirePromoted from Midlands 4 West (South)
DunlopDunlop Sports & Social ClubHolbrooks, Coventry, West MidlandsRelegated from Midlands 2 West (South)
LedburyRoss RoadLedbury, Herefordshire3rd
Manor ParkGriff & CotonNuneaton, Warwickshire8th
Old CoventriansTile Hill LaneTile Hill, Coventry, West Midlands5th
Old LeamingtoniansThe CroftsBlackdown, Warwickshire7th
Old WheatleyansStade WheatsCoundon, Coventry, West Midlands9th
Rugby St AndrewsAshlawn RoadRugby, Warwickshire6th
Shipston-on-StourMayo Road600Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire4th
Upton-upon-SevernThe Sports FieldUpton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire10th
WoodrushIcknield StreetForhill, Worcestershire11th

Teams 2016-17

Teams 2015-16

Teams 2014-15

Teams 2013–14

Teams 2012–13

Teams 2009–10

Teams 2008–09

  • Bedworth
  • Dunlop
  • Edwardians
  • Kings Norton
  • Ledbury
  • Old Leamingtonians
  • Pershore
  • Shipston on Stour
  • Southam
  • Upton On Severn
  • Woodrush
  • Worcester Wanderers

Original teams

Teams in Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West were originally part of a single division called Midlands 2 West, which contained the following sides when it was introduced in 1992:

Midlands 3 West (South) honours

Midlands West 2 (1992–1993)

Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West were originally part of a single tier 8 division called Midlands West 2. Promotion was to Midlands West 1 and relegation was to either North Midlands 1 or Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1.

Midlands West 2 (1993–1996)

The top six teams from Midlands 1 and the top six from North 1 were combined to create National 5 North, meaning that Midlands 2 West dropped to become a tier 9 league. Promotion continued to Midlands West 1 while relegation was to either North Midlands 1 or Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1.

Midlands West 2 (1996–2000)

At the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 North was discontinued and Midlands West 2 returned to being a tier 8 league. Promotion continued to Midlands West 1 while relegation was to either North Midlands 1 or Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1.

Midlands 4 West (South) (2000–2004)

Restructuring ahead of the 2000–01 season saw Midlands West 2 split into two tier 8 regional leagues - Midlands 4 West (North) and Midlands 4 West. Promotion was now to Midlands 3 West (South) and relegation to either North Midlands 1 or Warwickshire 1.

Midlands 4 West (South) (2004–2006)

At the start of the 2004–05 season Midlands 4 West remained at tier 8 of the league system, with promotion continuing to Midlands 3 West (South). However, the restructuring of the leagues below meant that relegation was now to either North Midlands (South) 1 or Warwickshire 1.

Midlands 4 West (South) (2006–2009)

At the start of the 2006–07 season Midlands 4 West remained at tier 8 of the league system, with promotion continuing to Midlands 3 West (South). The cancellation of Warwickshire 1 league meant that relegation was now to the newly introduced Midlands 5 West (South).

Midlands 3 West (South) (2009–present)

League restructuring by the RFU meant that Midlands 4 West and Midlands 4 West were renamed as Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West, with both leagues remaining at tier 8. Promotion was now to Midlands 2 West (South) and relegation to Midlands 4 West (South).

Number of league titles