Regional 2 South West


Regional 2 South West, is an English, level six, rugby union league for clubs based in the south-west of England; i.e. Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset. It is one of twelve leagues at this level in England. When league rugby started in 1986 it was known as South West 2, but in 1996 the division was split into two leagues — South West 1 West and South West 1 East. South West 1 West was renamed Regional 2 South West prior to the 2022–23 season. The champions are promoted to Regional 1 South West and the bottom two sides are relegated, depending on location, to either Counties 1 Western West, Counties 1 Western North or Counties 1 Southern South.
Topsham are the current champions.

Format

The season runs from September to April and comprises twenty-two rounds of matches, with each club playing each of its rivals, home and away. 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.

2025–26

Departing are Topsham promoted to Regional 1 South West while Truro and Newton Abbot were relegated to Counties 1 Western West.
TeamGroundCapacityTown/AreaPrevious season
CreditonBlagdonCrediton, DevonRunners-up
CullomptonStafford ParkCullompton, Devon7th
IvybridgeCross-in-HandIvybridge, DevonRelegated from Regional 1 SW
North PethertonBeggars BrookNorth Petherton, Somerset8th
OkehamptonShowground1,120 Okehampton, Devon5th
Pirates AmateursMennaye Field4,000 Penzance, CornwallPromoted from Counties 1 Western West
TeignmouthBitton Park Sports Ground1,210 Teignmouth, Devon10th
TivertonCoronation Field750 Tiverton, Devon3rd
Wadebridge CamelsMolesworth Field500Wadebridge, Cornwall4th
WellingtonAthletic GroundWellington, Somerset9th
Weston-super-MareRecreation Ground6,000Weston-super-Mare, SomersetLevel transfer from Regional 2 Severn
WinscombeRecreation Ground1,200Winscombe, Somerset6th

2024–25

Seven of the teams are from Devon, while Somerset has three clubs and Cornwall two clubs. Nine of last years teams participated in this season's competition, Sidmouth were promoted to Regional 1 South West while Chard and Burham-on-Sea were relegated to Counties 1 Western North.
The new teams were Okehampton relegated from Regional 1 South West, Tiverton promoted from Counties 1 Western West and Winscombe on a level transfer from Regional 2 Severn.
TeamGroundCapacityTown/AreaPrevious season
CreditonBlagdonCrediton, Devon4th
CullomptonStafford ParkCullompton, Devon5th
Newton AbbotRackerhayes1,150 Newton Abbot, Devon10th
North PethertonBeggars BrookNorth Petherton, Somerset7th
OkehamptonShowground1,120 Okehampton, DevonRelegated from Regional 1 SW
TeignmouthBitton Park Sports Ground1,210 Teignmouth, Devon8th
TivertonCoronation Field750 Tiverton, DevonPromoted from Counties 1 Western West
TopshamBonfire FieldTopsham, Exeter3rd
TruroSt Clement's Hill2,000Truro, Cornwall6th
Wadebridge CamelsMolesworth Field500Wadebridge, Cornwall2nd
WellingtonAthletic GroundWellington, Somerset9th
WinscombeRecreation Ground1,200Winscombe, SomersetLevel transfer from Regional 2 Severn

2023–24

Nine of last seasons twelve teams played in that season's competition. The champions St Austell were promoted to Regional 1 South West, while Sherborne and Bridgwater & Albion were relegated to Counties 1 Southern South and Counties 1 Western North respectively. Promoted from Counties 1 Western West are Topsham and Cullompton. Burnham-on-Sea are also promoted as the runner-up from Counties 1 Western North.

Participating teams and location

TeamGroundCapacityTown/AreaPrevious season
Burnham-on-SeaBASC GroundBurnham-on-Sea, SomersetPromoted from Counties 1 Western North
ChardThe Park, Essex CloseChard, Somerset9th
CreditonBlagdonCrediton, Devon2nd
CullomptonStafford ParkCullompton, DevonPromoted from Counties 1 Western West
Newton AbbotRackerhayes1,150 Newton Abbot, Devon10th
North PethertonBeggars BrookNorth Petherton, Somerset8th
SidmouthBlackmore FieldSidmouth, Devon7th
TeignmouthBitton Park Sports Ground1,210 Teignmouth, Devon6th
TopshamBonfire FieldTopsham, ExeterPromoted from Counties 1 Western West
TruroSt Clement's Hill2,000Truro, Cornwall3rd
Wadebridge CamelsMolesworth Field500Wadebridge, Cornwall4th
WellingtonAthletic GroundWellington, Somerset5th

2022–23

Participating teams and location

TeamGroundCapacityTown/AreaPrevious season
Bridgwater & AlbionBath Road5,000 Bridgwater, Somerset10th
ChardThe Park, Essex CloseChard, SomersetPromoted from Western Counties West
CreditonBlagdonCrediton, Devon9th
Newton AbbotRackerhayes1,150 Newton Abbot, DevonPromoted from Western Counties West
North PethertonBeggars BrookNorth Petherton, Somerset11th
SherborneGainsborough ParkSherborne, DorsetTransferred from South West 1 East 10th
SidmouthBlackmore FieldSidmouth, Devon8th
St AustellTregorrick Park4,000 St Austell, Cornwall4th
TeignmouthBitton Park Sports Ground1,210 Teignmouth, DevonPromoted from Western Counties West
TruroSt Clement's Hill2,000Truro, CornwallPromoted from Western Counties West
Wadebridge CamelsMolesworth Field500Wadebridge, CornwallPromoted from Western Counties West
WellingtonAthletic GroundWellington, Somerset12th

2021–22

Participating teams and location

Ahead of the new season, Stroud RFC withdrew from the league, leaving thirteen teams in this season's competition. Ten of the teams in this season's competition competed in 2019–20. The 'previous season' column in the table below refers to 2019–20 not 2020–21, which was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Of the thirteen teams competing in this season's competition, five are from Somerset, four from Gloucester, three from Devon and one from Cornwall. The season started on 4 September 2021 and the final matches were played on 23 April 2022.
Chew Valley won the competition for the first time, just one point ahead of both Devonport Services and Lydney, in 2nd and 3rd place respectively. Owing to the reorganisation of the league system for next season, an announcement is awaited from the RFU as to which league teams will be allocated to.
TeamGroundCapacityTown/AreaPrevious season
Bridgwater & AlbionBath Road5,000 Bridgwater, Somerset7th
Chew ValleyChew LaneChew Magna, Somerset6th
CreditonBlagdonCrediton, Devon10th
Devonport ServicesThe Rectory2,000Devonport, Plymouth, Devon4th
KeynshamBristol RoadKeynsham, Somerset9th
LydneyRegentsholm3,000 Lydney, Gloucestershire2nd
NewentRecreation GroundNewent, Gloucestershire11th
North PethertonBeggars BrookNorth Petherton, Somerset8th
Old PatesiansEverest RoadCheltenham, GloucestershireTransferred from South West 1 East
SidmouthBlackmore FieldSidmouth, Devon5th
St AustellTregorrick Park4,000 St Austell, CornwallPromoted from Western Counties West
ThornburyCooper's FarmThornbury, Gloucestershire3rd
WellingtonAthletic GroundWellington, SomersetPromoted from Western Counties West

2020–21

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the season was cancelled.

2019–20

Participating teams and location

TeamGroundCapacityTown/AreaPrevious season
Bridgwater & AlbionBath Road5,000 Bridgwater, Somerset4th
Chew ValleyChew LaneChew Magna, SomersetPromoted from Western Counties North
CleveThe HayfieldsMangotsfield, GloucestershireRelegated from South West Premier
CreditonBlagdonCrediton, DevonPromoted from Western Counties West
Devonport ServicesThe Rectory2,000Devonport, Plymouth, Devon8th
HornetsHutton Moor Park1,100 Weston-super-Mare, Somerset10th
KeynshamBristol RoadKeynsham, Somerset9th
LydneyRegentsholm3,000 Lydney, Gloucestershire7th
NewentRecreation GroundNewent, Gloucestershire3rd
Newton AbbotRackerhayes1,150 Newton Abbot, DevonRelegated from South West Premier
North PethertonBeggars BrookNorth Petherton, Somerset5th
SidmouthBlackmore FieldSidmouth, DevonPromoted from Western Counties West
St IvesRecreation Ground3,000 St Ives, Cornwall6th
ThornburyCooper's FarmThornbury, Gloucestershire11th

2018–19

Participating teams and location

TeamGroundCapacityTown/AreaPrevious season
Bridgwater & AlbionBath Road5,000 Bridgwater, Somerset10th
Coney HillMetz HillGloucester, GloucestershirePromoted from Western Counties North
CullomptonStafford ParkCullompton, Devon9th
Devonport ServicesThe Rectory2,000Devonport, Plymouth, DevonPromoted from Western Counties West
HornetsHutton Moor Park1,100 Weston-super-Mare, SomersetRelegated from South West Premier
KeynshamBristol RoadKeynsham, Somerset11th
LauncestonPolson Bridge3,000 Launceston, Cornwall3rd
LydneyRegentsholm3,000 Lydney, GloucestershireRelegated from South West Premier
NewentRecreation GroundNewent, Gloucestershire4th
North PethertonBeggars BrookNorth Petherton, Somerset6th
OkehamptonShowground1,120 Okehampton, Devon5th
St IvesRecreation Ground3,000 St Ives, CornwallPromoted from Western Counties West
TeignmouthBitton Park Sports Ground1,210 Teignmouth, Devon8th
ThornburyCooper's FarmThornbury, Gloucestershire7th

Promotion play-off

This seasons play-off for promotion to the South West Premier was between Launceston and Old Centralians. Launceston had the better playing record and hosted the match at Polson Bridge, winning 33 – 22. This was the 19th play-off match, the first for Launceston and the second for Old Centralians who won promotion 2013. It was the 13th win for the home team and south-west teams have also won the match on 13 occasions.
PlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forPoints againstPoints diffTry bonusLoss bonusPoints
Launceston262105835520315173106
Old Centralians262105809472337152101

2017–18

Participating teams and location

The 2017–18 South West 1 West consists of fourteen teams; five from Devon, four each from Gloucestershire and Somerset, and one from Cornwall. Ten of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. The season started on 2 September 2016 and the last league matches were played on 21 April 2017. The play-off match was played a week later on 28 April 2017.
TeamGroundCapacityTown/AreaPrevious season
BidefordKing George's Field2,000Bideford, Devon11th
Bridgwater & AlbionBath Road5,000 Bridgwater, Somerset9th
ClevedonColeridge Vale Playing FieldsClevedon, Somerset2nd
CullomptonStafford ParkCullompton, DevonPromoted from Western Counties West
DrybrookMannings GroundDrybrook, Gloucestershire3rd
Exeter UniversityTopsham Sports GroundExeter, DevonPromoted from Western Counties West
KeynshamBristol RoadKeynsham, SomersetPromoted from Western Counties North
LauncestonPolson Bridge3,000 Launceston, CornwallRelegated from National 3 South West
MatsonRedwell RoadMatson, Gloucester, Gloucestershire4th
NewentRecreation GroundNewent, Gloucestershire5th
North PethertonBeggars BrookNorth Petherton, Somerset7th
OkehamptonShowground1,120 Okehampton, Devon8th
TeignmouthBitton Park Sports Ground1,210 Teignmouth, Devon10th
ThornburyCooper's FarmThornbury, Gloucestershire6th

Promotion play-off

This seasons play-off for promotion to the South West Premier was between Exeter University and Banbury. Over the season Exeter University had the better playing record and hosted the match at Topsham Sports Ground, winning 41 – 32. This was the 18th play-off match and the first for each of the teams; it was the 12th win for the home team and south-west teams have also won the match on 12 occasions. Banbury's total of 32 points was the most by a losing team and also the most by an away team.
PlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forPoints againstPoints diffTry bonusLoss bonusPoints
Exeter University 262204992462530233114
Banbury262213906434472202112

2016–17

Participating teams and location

The 2016–17 South West 1 West consists of fourteen teams; six from Somerset and four each from Devon and Gloucestershire. Ten of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. The season started on 3 September 2016 and the last league matches were played on 22 April 2017. The play-off match was played a week later on 29 April 2017.
TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
BidefordKing George's Field2,000Bideford, Devon5th
Bridgwater & AlbionBath Road5,000 Bridgwater, Somerset7th
ChardThe Park, Essex CloseChard, Somerset11th
ClevedonColeridge Vale Playing FieldsClevedon, Somerset8th
DrybrookMannings GroundDrybrook, Gloucestershire6th
KingsbridgeHigh House1,000 Kingsbridge, Devonpromoted from Western Counties West
MatsonRedwell RoadMatson, Gloucesterpromoted from Western Counties North
Midsomer NortonNorton Down Playing FieldsMidsomer Norton, Somersetpromoted from Southern Counties South
NewentRecreation GroundNewent, Gloucestershire3rd
North PethertonBeggars BrookNorth Petherton, Somerset9th
OkehamptonShowground1,120 Okehampton, Devonpromoted from Western Counties West
TeignmouthBitton Park Sports Ground1,210 Teignmouth, Devon10th
ThornburyCooper's FarmThornbury, Gloucestershire2nd
Weston-super-MareRecreation Ground3,000Weston-super-Mare, Somerset4th

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in South West 1 East and South West 1 West, participate in a play-off for promotion to National League 3 South West. The team with the best playing record, in this case Newbury Blues, host the match and they beat their opponents Clevedon 25 – 22.
PlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forPoints againstPoints diffTry bonusLoss bonusPoints
Newbury Blues 262114894401493172105
Clevedon26201590835655212599

2015–16

Camborne became champions on 9 April 2016, with two matches to play. Thornbury lost the play-off for promotion 24 – 26 at Salisbury and will continue to play in this league next season. Avonmouth OB, Coney Hill and Wells are all relegated to Western Counties North.

Participating teams and location

The 2015–16 South West 1 West consisted of fourteen teams; six from Somerset, four from Gloucestershire, two from Devon and one each from Bristol and Cornwall. Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. The 2014–15 champions Cleve, and Ivybridge were promoted to National League 3 South West. The relegated teams, Cullompton and St Austell will play in Western Counties West, and Matson will play in Western Counties North. The season started on 5 September 2015 and the last matches were played on 30 April 2016.
TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
Avonmouth Old BoysBarracks LaneShirehampton, Bristol9th
BidefordKing George's Field2,000Bideford, Devon4th
Bridgwater & AlbionBath Road5,000 Bridgwater, Somerset3rd
CamborneRecreation Ground7,000 Camborne, Cornwall6th
ChardThe Park, Essex CloseChard, Somersetrelegated from National League 3 South West
ClevedonColeridge Vale Playing FieldsClevedon, Somerset10th
Coney HillMetz WayConey Hill, Gloucesterpromoted from Western Counties North
DrybrookMannings GroundDrybrook, Gloucestershire11th
NewentRecreation GroundNewent, Gloucestershirepromoted from Western Counties North
North PethertonBeggars BrookNorth Petherton, Somerset5th
TeignmouthBitton Park Sports Ground1,210 Teignmouth, Devonpromoted from Western Counties West
ThornburyCooper's FarmThornbury, Gloucestershire7th
WellsCharter WayWells, Somerset8th
Weston-super-MareRecreation Ground3,000Weston-super-Mare, Somersetrelegated from National League 3 South West

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in South West 1 East and South West 1 West, participate in a play-off for promotion to National League 3 South West. The team with the best playing record, in this case Salisbury, host the match and their opponents are Thornbury.
PlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forPoints againstPoints diffTry bonusLoss bonusPoints
Salisbury 26201573239533711396
Thornbury26190777941136814595

2014–15

Cleve became champions with two matches to play and are promoted to National League 3 South West for next season. The team in second place, Ivybridge beat Towcestrians 25 – 20 in the play-off for promotion. St Austell and Cullompton are relegated to Western Counties West and Matson are relegated to Western Counties North.

Participating teams and location

The 2014–15 South West 1 West League consists of fourteen teams; four from Somerset, three each from Devon and Gloucestershire and two each from Bristol and Cornwall. The season started on 6 September 2014 and the last league matches were played on 18 April 2015; the play-off match was played a week later. Nine of the teams listed below participated in the South West 1 West last season. They were joined by Avonmouth OB who were relegated from National League 3 South West, Drybrook and Matson both promoted from Western Counties North, Ivybridge promoted from Western Counties West and Wells promoted from Southern Counties South.
TeamGroundCapacityTown/VillagePrevious season
Avonmouth Old BoysBarracks LaneShirehampton, Bristolrelegated from National League 3 South West
BidefordKing George's Field2,000Bideford, Devon8th
Bridgwater & AlbionBath Road5,000 Bridgwater, Somerset9th
CamborneRecreation Ground7,000 Camborne, Cornwall3rd
CleveThe HayfieldsMangotsfield, Bristol5th
ClevedonColeridge Vale Playing FieldsClevedon, Somerset11th
CullomptonStafford ParkCullompton, Devon10th
DrybrookMannings GroundDrybrook, Gloucestershirepromoted from Western Counties North
IvybridgeCross-in-HandIvybridge, Devonpromoted from Western Counties West
MatsonRedwell RoadMatson, Gloucesterpromoted from Western Counties North
North PethertonBeggars BrookNorth Petherton, Somerset6th
St AustellTregorrick Park4,000 St Austell, Cornwall4th
ThornburyCooper's FarmThornbury, Gloucestershire7th
WellsCharter WayWells, Somersetpromoted from Southern Counties South

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in South West 1 East and South West 1 West, participate in a play-off for promotion to National League 3 South West. The team with the best playing record, in this case Towcestrians, hosts the match; their opponents were Ivybridge who won 25 – 20.
PlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forPoints againstPoints diffTry bonusLoss bonusPoints
Towcestrians262105704405299153103
Ivybridge 26180876059616417594

2012–13

Original teams

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

Regional 2 South West honours

South West 2 (1987–1993)

Originally South West 1 West and South West 1 East were combined in a single division called South West 2. It was a tier 6 league with promotion to South West 1 and relegation to either Western Counties or Southern Counties.

South West 2

The top six teams from South West 1 and the top six from London 1 were combined to create National 5 South, meaning that South West 2 dropped one level to tier 7. Promotion continued to South West 1 and relegation to either Western Counties or Southern Counties.

South West 2 West (1996–2009)

League restructuring by the RFU for the 1996–97 season saw South West 2 split into two regional divisions known as South West 2 West and South West 2 East, and the cancellation of National 5 South meant that both divisions became tier 6 leagues. Promotion continued to South West 1, while relegation was now to either Western Counties North or Western Counties West.

South West 1 West (2009–2022)

League restructuring by the RFU meant that South West 2 West and South East 2 East were renamed as South West 1 West and South West 1 East, with both leagues remaining at tier 6. Promotion was to National League 3 South West, while relegation continued to either Western Counties North or Western Counties West.

Regional 2 South West (2022– )

League restructuring by the RFU created twelve leagues at level six. The champions are promoted to Regional 1 South West and the bottom two sides are relegated, depending on location, to either Counties 1 Western West, Counties 1 Western North or Counties 1 Southern South.

Promotion play-offs

From season 2000–01 through to 2018–19 there has been a play-off, between the league runners-up of South West 1 East and South West 1 West, for the third and final promotion place to South West Premier. The team with the superior league record had home advantage. At the end of the 2018–19 season the South West 1 West teams' have been the stronger with thirteen wins to the South West 1 East teams' six, while the home team has won promotion thirteen times to the away teams six.

Number of league titles