Welsh Championship

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WRU Championship
Founded
2012
Nation
 Wales
Promotion to
Welsh Premier Division
Relegation to
WRU Division One East
WRU Division One West
Number of teams
14
Level on pyramid
Level 2
2012–13 League winners
Ebbw Vale RFC
Website
www.wru.co.uk/eng/club/swalecchampionship/

The WRU Championship (also called the SWALEC Championship for sponsorship reasons) is a rugby union league in Wales first implemented by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) for the 2012–13 season.

Competition history

In 2012, the new division was formed from the restructuring of the Welsh Premier Division. the Premier Division was 'slimmed down' to 12 teams with Pontypool RFC and Tonmawr RFC relegated from the division. Tonmawr had already made the decision to opt out of the new league and would start the 2012–13 season in Division Six.

The teams for the league would be decided on three factors. Firstly, the holding of an 'A Licence' based on stadium criteria. The signing of a 'Participation Agreement' and judged on league results over the previous six seasons. It was originally decided that the Premiership would reduce in size to ten teams.[1] It was announced that four clubs, Pontypool, Tonmwar, Bridgend Ravens and Carmarthen Quins RFC had not achieved the required criteria to be included into the new league. However, pressure from Ospreys and Scarlets backers led to the league being extended to 12 teams with Bridgend and Camarthen included.[2] Tonmawr, citing financial reasons, opted not to take part in the new league at all and re-entered themselves into Division Six.[3]

Controversy

The new league was not without its controversy. Pontypool RFC launched a legal challenge to avoid being the only club relegated to the new division, which they ultimately lost on the grounds of 'meritocracy'.[4][5] Pontypool had finished 12th in the previous campaign, above rivals Bedwas RFC and level on points with historic rivals Newport RFC.

2012–13 season

2012–13 teams

Welsh Championship Teams

2012-13 Table

KEY
Champions
Relegated
Team Pld W D L PF PA Bonus Point Points
1Ebbw Vale RFC 26 25 0 1 1140 280 23 123
2 Bargoed RFC 26 20 1 5 703 393 16 98
3 Cardiff Met RFC 26 17 1 8 620 479 14 84
4 Tata Steel RFC 26 17 1 8 737 496 13 83
5 Newbridge RFC 26 15 1 10 577 553 9 71
6 Narberth RFC 26 14 0 12 608 628 13 69
7 Llanharan RFC 26 12 0 14 539 645 17 65
8 Blackwood RFC 26 12 0 14 558 676 13 61
9 Bridgend Athletic RFC 26 12 0 14 548 662 8 60
10 Beddau RFC 26 10 1 15 550 530 15 57
11 Bonymaen RFC 26 9 0 17 401 593 11 47
12 Pontypool RFC 26 7 0 19 411 717 8 36
13 Glamorgan Wanderers RFC 26 4 2 20 437 811 9 29
14 Whitland RFC 26 4 1 21 388 754 9 27
Correct as of 2013-05-27


2013–14 season

2013–14 teams

References

  1. ↑ "Premier Division to be Reduced to ten teams". Bbc.co.uk. 2011-04-29. Retrieved 2012-10-04. 
  2. ↑ "Bridgend and Camarthen to join extended league". Bbc.co.uk. 2011-11-25. Retrieved 2012-10-04. 
  3. ↑ "Tonmawr drop out of league". Thisissouthwales.co.uk. 2012-08-03. Retrieved 2012-10-04. 
  4. ↑ "Pontypool 'not good' enough for league". Bbc.co.uk. 2012-07-11. Retrieved 2012-10-04. 
  5. ↑ "Pontypool lose legal challenge". Bbc.co.uk. 2012-06-26. Retrieved 2012-10-04. 

External links

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