Regional 1 South West


Regional 1 South West 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 South West Division 1. The format of the league was changed at the beginning of the 2009–10 season following reorganisation by the Rugby Football Union, and the name change from National League 3 to South West Premier was introduced for the 2017–18 season by the RFU in order to lessen confusion for what is a series of regional leagues. Regional 1 South West, is the highest regional rugby union league covering South West England. The club finishing in first place is promoted to National League 2 West. Relegated teams drop down to either Regional 2 South West or Regional 2 Severn, depending on their location.
Barnstaple 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 were Barnstaple promoted to 2025-26 [National League 2 West|National League 2 West] while Ivybridge were relegated to Regional 2 South West.

Participating teams and locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
BrixhamAstley Park1,800 Brixham, DevonRunners-up
Chew ValleyLobbingtonsChew Magna, Somerset11th
Devonport ServicesThe Rectory Field2,000Devonport, Plymouth, DevonRelegated from National League 2 West
ExmouthImperial Recreation Ground1,250 Exmouth, Devon3rd
LauncestonPolson Bridge3,000 Launceston, Cornwall5th
LydneyRegentsholme3,000 Lydney, Gloucestershire9th
MarlboroughThe CommonMarlborough, Wiltshire10th
MatsonRedwell RoadMatson, Gloucester7th
Royal Wootton BassettBallards AshRoyal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire8th
SidmouthBlackmore FieldSidmouth, Devon6th
St AustellTregorrick Park4,000 St Austell, Cornwall4th
TopshamBonfire FieldTopsham, ExeterPromoted from Regional 2 South West

2024–25

Nine of last years teams participate in this season's competition. Five of the teams are from Devon, while Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire have two clubs each and Somerset one club. Devonport Services, as champions, are promoted to National League 2 West. Okehampton and Weston-super-Mare are relegated to Regional 2 South West and Regional 2 Severn respectively, while Marlborough is transferred from Regional 1 South Central.

Participating teams and locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
BarnstaplePottingham Road2,000 Barnstaple, Devon2nd
BrixhamAstley Park1,800 Brixham, Devon4th
Chew ValleyLobbingtonsChew Magna, Somerset3rd
ExmouthImperial Recreation Ground1,250 Exmouth, Devon6th
IvybridgeCross-in-HandIvybridge, Devon9th
LauncestonPolson Bridge3,000 Launceston, Cornwall5th
LydneyRegentsholme3,000 Lydney, Gloucestershire7th
MarlboroughThe CommonMarlborough, WiltshireTransferred from Regional 1 SC
MatsonRedwell RoadMatson, Gloucester10th
Royal Wootton BassettBallards AshRoyal Wootton Bassett, WiltshirePromoted from Regional 2 Severn
SidmouthBlackmore FieldSidmouth, DevonPromoted from Regional 2 SW
St AustellTregorrick Park4,000 St Austell, Cornwall8th

2023–24

Nine of last years teams participate in this season's competition. Champions, Camborne were promoted to National League 2 West while Old Centralians and Drybrook were both relegated to Regional 2 Severn. Six of the teams are from Devon, while Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Somerset each have two clubs.

Participating teams and locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
BarnstaplePottingham Road2,000 Barnstaple, DevonRelegated from National League 2 West 13th
BrixhamAstley Park1,800 Brixham, Devon3rd
Chew ValleyLobbingtonsChew Magna, Somerset2nd
Devonport ServicesThe Rectory2,000Devonport, Plymouth, Devon4th
ExmouthImperial Recreation Ground1,250 Exmouth, Devon5th
IvybridgeCross-in-HandIvybridge, Devon6th
LauncestonPolson Bridge3,000 Launceston, Cornwall8th
LydneyRegentsholme3,000 Lydney, Gloucestershire7th
MatsonRedwell RoadMatson, Gloucester, GloucestershirePromoted from Regional 2 Severn
OkehamptonShowground1,120 Okehampton, Devon9th
St AustellTregorrick Park4,000 St Austell, CornwallPromoted from Regional 2 South West
Weston-super-MareRecreation Ground3,000Weston-super-Mare, Somerset10th

2022–23

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review.
Nine of the teams who competed in the final season of the SW Premier competition returned. Departing were Exeter University , Hornets and Old Redcliffians were promoted to National League 2 West whilst Bournemouth and Royal Wootton Bassett were level transferred to Regional 1 South Central.
with five teams leaving and three joining the league was reduced in size from 14 clubs to 12.

Participating teams and locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
BrixhamAstley Park1,800 Brixham, Devon7th
CamborneRecreation Ground7,000 Camborne, Cornwall11th
Chew ValleyLobbingtonsChew Magna, SomersetPromoted from South West 1 West
Devonport ServicesThe Rectory2,000Devonport, Plymouth, DevonPromoted from South West 1 West
DrybrookMannings GroundDrybrook, Gloucestershire10th
ExmouthImperial Recreation Ground1,250 Exmouth, Devon5th
IvybridgeCross-in-HandIvybridge, Devon9th
LauncestonPolson Bridge3,000 Launceston, Cornwall6th
LydneyRegentsholme3,000 Lydney, GloucestershirePromoted from South West 1 West
OkehamptonShowground1,120 Okehampton, Devon14th
Old CentraliansSaintbridge Sports CentreGloucester, Gloucestershire12th
Weston-super-MareRecreation Ground3,000Weston-super-Mare, Somerset4th

2021–22

The first matches were played on 4 September 2021 and the final league matches on 23 April 2022. Exeter University, Old Redcliffians and Hornets are all promoted to National League 2 West. The RFU will announce the format of the tier 5 leagues during the summer of 2022.

Participating teams

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in the previous competition. The champions, Barnstaple were promoted to National League 2 South, while Newbury and Bracknell were both relegated to South West 1 East. Maidenhead have been level transferred to London & South East Premier. The teams coming into this season's competition are Old Redcliffians and Bournemouth, both relegated from National League 2 South in 15th and 16th position respectively. Teams promoted into this season's competition are Hornets, champions of South West 1 West, and two teams from South West 1 East, Royal Wootton Bassett and Old Centralians.
TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
BournemouthChapel Gate1,500Bournemouth, DorsetRelegated from National League 2 South
BrixhamAstley Park1,800 Brixham, Devon5th
CamborneRecreation Ground7,000 Camborne, Cornwall9th
DrybrookMannings GroundDrybrook, Gloucestershire7th
Exeter UniversityTopsham Sports GroundExeter, Devon6th
ExmouthImperial Recreation Ground1,250 Exmouth, Devon10th
HornetsHutton Moor Park1,100 Weston-super-Mare, SomersetPromoted from South West 1 West
IvybridgeCross-in-HandIvybridge, Devon8th
LauncestonPolson Bridge3,000 Launceston, Cornwall11th
OkehamptonShowground1,120 Okehampton, Devon4th
Old CentraliansSaintbridge Sports CentreGloucester, GloucestershirePromoted from South West 1 East
Old RedcliffiansScotland Lane1,000Brislington, BristolRelegated from National League 2 South
Royal Wootton BassettBallard's Ash5,000Royal Wootton Bassett, WiltshirePromoted from South West 1 East
Weston-super-MareRecreation Ground3,000Weston-super-Mare, Somerset2nd

2020–21

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the 2020–21 season was cancelled.

2019–20

The season ended before all the matches were completed because of the coronavirus pandemic and the RFU used a best playing record formula to decide the final table. Barnstaple are the champions.

Participating teams

Ten of the thirteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by three promoted sides; Launceston, Newbury Blues and Okehampton. Bournemouth were promoted to National League 2 South, while relegated sides included Newton Abbot and Cleve, and Old Patesians. Initially, Bromsgrove were due to be level transferred from Midlands Premier but the withdrawal of Birmingham & Solihull from the league system meant that they stayed put, leaving South West Premier with just thirteen teams.
TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
BarnstaplePottingham Road2,000 Barnstaple, DevonRunners up
BracknellLily Hill1,250 Bracknell, Berkshire10th
BrixhamAstley Park1,800 Brixham, Devon8th
CamborneRecreation Ground7,000 Camborne, Cornwall9th
DrybrookMannings GroundDrybrook, Gloucestershire11th
Exeter UniversityTopsham Sports GroundExeter, Devon4th
ExmouthImperial Recreation Ground1,250 Exmouth, Devon6th
IvybridgeCross-in-HandIvybridge, Devon5th
LauncestonPolson Bridge3,000 Launceston, CornwallPromoted from South West 1 West
MaidenheadBraywick Park1,750 Maidenhead, Berkshire3rd
Newbury BluesMonk's Lane8,000Newbury, BerkshirePromoted from South West 1 East
OkehamptonShowground1,120 Okehampton, DevonPromoted from South West 1 West
Weston-super-MareRecreation Ground3,000Weston-super-Mare, Somerset7th

2018–19

Participating teams

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Barnstaple, who were relegated from National League 2 South, and by three promoted sides; Drybrook, Exeter University and Old Patesians. Dings Crusaders were promoted to National League 2 South, while Hornets and Lydney were both relegated to South West 1 West, and Newbury Blues relegated to South West 1 East.
TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
BarnstaplePottingham Road2,000 Barnstaple, DevonRelegated from National 2 South
BournemouthChapel Gate1,500Bournemouth, DorsetRunners up
BracknellLily Hill1,250 Bracknell, Berkshire5th
BrixhamAstley Park1,800 Brixham, Devon10th
CamborneRecreation Ground7,000 Camborne, Cornwall7th
CleveThe HayfieldsMangotsfield, Gloucestershire6th
DrybrookMannings GroundDrybrook, GloucestershirePromoted from South West 1 West
Exeter UniversityTopsham Sports GroundExeter, DevonPromoted from South West 1 West
ExmouthImperial Recreation Ground1,250 Exmouth, Devon11th
IvybridgeCross-in-HandIvybridge, Devon9th
MaidenheadBraywick Park1,750 Maidenhead, Berkshire3rd
Newton AbbotRackerhayes1,150 Newton Abbot, Devon4th
Old PatesiansEverest RoadCheltenham, GloucestershirePromoted from South West 1 East
Weston-super-MareRecreation Ground3,000Weston-super-Mare, Somerset8th

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in the South West Premier and London & South East 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.
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2017–18

Participating teams

Ten of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Exmouth, who were relegated from National League 2 South, and by three promoted sides; Weston-super-Mare, Maidenhead and Newbury Blues. Old Redcliffians were promoted to National League 2 South, while Launceston were relegated to
, Salisbury to and Bromsgrove to.
TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
BournemouthChapel Gate1,500Bournemouth, Dorset5th
BracknellLily Hill1,250 Bracknell, Berkshire9th
BrixhamAstley Park1,800 Brixham, Devon7th
CamborneRecreation Ground7,000 Camborne, Cornwall3rd
CleveThe HayfieldsMangotsfield, Gloucestershire10th
Dings CrusadersShaftsbury Park2,250 Frenchay, Bristol2nd
ExmouthImperial Recreation Ground1,250 Exmouth, DevonRelegated from National League 2 South
HornetsHutton Moor Park1,100 Weston-super-Mare, Somerset8th
IvybridgeCross-in-HandIvybridge, Devon6th
LydneyRegentsholm3,000 Lydney, Gloucestershire11th
MaidenheadBraywick Park1,750 Maidenhead, BerkshirePromoted from South West 1 East
Newbury BluesMonk's Lane8,000Newbury, BerkshirePromoted from South West 1 East
Newton AbbotRackerhayes1,150 Newton Abbot, Devon4th
Weston-super-MareRecreation Ground3,000Weston-super-Mare, SomersetPromoted from South West 1 West

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in the South West Premier and London & South East 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 Guernsey, hosted the match and beat their opponents Bournemouth 38 – 23 to win promotion. This was Guernsey's first appearance in the play-offs and Bournemouth's second. Bournemouth's previous appearance was in 2011 when they lost to Hertford 23 – 22.
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2016–17

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Launceston who were relegated from National League 2 South, and by two promoted sides: Camborne and Salisbury. Exmouth and Barnstaple were promoted to National League 2 South, while Chippenham were relegated to South West 1 West, and Old Patesians and Old Centralians to South West 1 East. To address a league imbalance due to only one team coming down from National League 2 South, both Bromsgrove and Bracknell have been level transferred into the league from National League 3 Midlands and National League 3 London & SE respectively, Bromsgrove having finished 9th and Bracknell 11th.
TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
BournemouthChapel Gate1,500Bournemouth, Dorset5th
BracknellLily Hill1,250 Bracknell, Berkshirelevel transfer from National League 3 London & SE
BrixhamAstley Park1,800 Brixham, Devon4th
BromsgroveFinstall ParkBromsgrove, Worcestershirelevel transfer from National League 3 Midlands
CamborneRecreation Ground7,000 Camborne, Cornwallpromoted from South West 1 West
CleveThe HayfieldsMangotsfield, Gloucestershire9th
Dings CrusadersLandseer Avenue1,500Lockleaze, Bristol10th
HornetsHutton Moor Park1,100 Weston-super-Mare, Somerset7th
IvybridgeCross-in-HandIvybridge, Devon8th
LauncestonPolson Bridge3,000 Launceston, Cornwallrelegated from 2015–16 National League 2 South
LydneyRegentsholm3,000 Lydney, Gloucestershire3rd
Newton AbbotRackerhayes1,150 Newton Abbot, Devon11th
Old RedcliffiansScotland Lane1,000Brislington, Bristol6th
SalisburyCastle Road1,500Salisbury, Wiltshirepromoted from South West 1 East

Promotion play-off

Each season, the runners-up in the National League 3 London & SE, and National League 3 South West 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 Wimbledon, hosted the match and beat Dings Crusaders 55 – 5 to win promotion.
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2015–16

Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by two teams relegated from National League 2 South, Dings Crusaders and Lydney; and by three promoted teams Cleve, Chippenham and Ivybridge. The teams leaving the league were the 2014–15 champions, Redingensians who were promoted to National League 2 South and the relegated teams, Chard and Weston-super-Mare to play in South West 1 West, and Oxford Harlequins to South West 1 East. Bracknell, who finished 3rd last season, transferred to National League 3 London and SE.

Participating teams

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
BarnstaplePottington Road2,000 Barnstaple, Devon8th
BournemouthChapel Gate1,500Bournemouth, Dorset9th
BrixhamAstley Park1,800 Brixham, Devon5th
CleveThe HayfieldsMangotsfield, Gloucestershirepromoted from South West 1 West
ChippenhamAllington FieldsChippenham, Wiltshirepromoted from South West 1 East
Dings CrusadersLandseer Avenue1,500Lockleaze, Bristolrelegated from 2014–15 National League 2 South
ExmouthImperial Recreation Ground1,250 Exmouth, Devon2nd
HornetsHutton Moor Park1,100 Weston-super-Mare, Somerset6th
IvybridgeCross-in-HandIvybridge, Devonpromoted from South West 1 West
LydneyRegentsholm3,000 Lydney, Gloucestershirerelegated from 2014–15 National League 2 South
Newton AbbotRackerhayes1,150 Newton Abbot, Devon7th
Old CentraliansSaintbridge Sports CentreGloucester, Gloucestershire4th
Old PatesiansEverest RoadCheltenham, Gloucestershire10th
Old RedcliffiansScotland Lane1,000Brislington, Bristol11th

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 Tonbridge Juddians, host the match and their opponents were Barnstaple, who won the match 30 – 31, scoring the winning points with a penalty in the last seconds of the match.
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2014–15

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 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

League winners

Relegated

Transferred

2012–13

2011–12

2010–11

2009–10

The first season as a national league

Original teams

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

Regional 1 South West honours

In the first season of the English rugby union league pyramid, sponsored by Courage, there was four, tier five leagues. The geographical area for teams in South West Division One covered an area of south-west England from Oxfordshire and Berkshire in the east to Cornwall in the west. There were eleven teams in the league and they played each team once, giving each team ten matches. The other tier five leagues were London 1, Midlands 1 and North 1. 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 South West Division One covering the area of south-west England from Berkshire westwards. This system prevailed until 2009–10 when the number of teams was increased from twelve to fourteen and renamed National League Three South West. There was a name change for the beginning of season 2017–18 when the division was renamed the South West Premier.

South West 1 (1987–1993)

The original South West 1 was a tier 5 league with promotion up to Area League 2 South and relegation down to South West 2.
SeasonNo of teamsNo of matchesChampionsRunners-upRelegated teamsRef
1987–881110RedruthHigh WycombeBournemouth
1988–891110CliftonHigh WycombeTorquay Athletic, Bridgwater & Albion
1989–901110MaidenheadWeston-super-MareOxford
1990–911110High WycombeReadingMatson, Stroud, Taunton
1991–921110Berry HillCinderfordNo relegation
1992–931312ReadingHenleyPenryn

South West 1 (1993–96)

The top six teams from South West 1 and the top six from London 1 were combined to create National 5 South. South West 1 dropped to become a tier six league and was one of two feeder leagues for National 5 South. Relegation continued to South West 2.
SeasonNo of teamsNo of matchesChampionsRunners-upRelegated teamsRef
1993–941312HenleyCheltenhamGordon League
1994–951312CheltenhamNewburyStroud
1995–961312NewburyGloucester Old BoysCinderford

South West 1 (1996–2009)

At the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 South was discontinued and South West 1 returned to being a tier 5 league. Promotion was up to National 4 South, while the splitting of South West 2 into two regional divisions, meant that relegation was now down to either South West 2 East or South West 2 West.
SeasonNo of teamsNo of matchesChampionsRunners-upRelegated teamsRef
1996–971222Bridgwater & AlbionLauncestonBrixham, Camborne
1997–981222BracknellLauncestonHigh Wycombe, St Ives
1998–991222Penzance & NewlynLauncestonSalisbury
1999–001222LauncestonKeynshamMatson, Stroud
2000–011222Old PatesiansCinderfordBerry Hill, Truro, Torquay Athletic, Gloucester Old Boys
2001–021222Weston-super-MareDings CrusadersStroud, Maidenhead, Swanage & Warham, Dorcester
2002–031222Dings CrusadersReadingBerry Hill, Marlow [Rugby Union Football Club|Marlow]
2003–041222ReadingCinderfordBarnstaple, Truro
2004–051222CinderfordBridgwater & AlbionSt Mary's Old Boys, Gloucester Old Boys, Keynsham
2005–061222ChinnorCliftonPenryn, Cheltenham, Spartans
2006–071222Mounts BayCleveChippenham, Clevedon, Reading Abbey
2007–081222ChinnorBracknellReading, Maidenhead, St Ives
2008–091222CliftonBracknellNo relegation

National League 3 South West (2009–2017)

The division was renamed National League 3 South West following a restructuring of the national leagues which led to changes at all levels. It remained a tier 5 league with promotion up to National League 2 South and relegation to either South West 1 East or South West 1 West.

South West Premier (2017–2022)

For the 2017–18 season all divisions at tier 5 were renamed from National League 3 to Premier meaning that National League 3 South West became known as South West Premier. Promotion continued to National League 2 South and relegation to either South West 1 East or South West 1 West.

Regional 1 South West (2022–)

From 2022–23 season the number of tier 5 leagues was increased from four to six.
SeasonNo of teamsNo of matchesChampionsRunners-upRelegated teamsRef
2022–231222CamborneChew ValleyOld Centralians and Drybrook
2023–241222Devonport ServicesBarnstapleOkehampton and Weston-super-Mare
2024–251222BarnstapleBrixham Chew Valley and Ivybridge

Promotion play-offs

From 2000–01 season there was a promotion play-off game 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; with the team with the superior league record having home advantage. As of the 2018–19 season, the London and south-east teams have been most successful with thirteen wins to the south-west teams six, while the home side have won fifteen of the nineteen ties. The last play-off was in 2018–19, with the next two seasons cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom and following the increase of leagues at this level to three, only the champions are promoted.

Number of league titles