Future Competitions Structure

The RFU Council has voted in favour of a number of features for a new competition structure for the adult male game from Level 3 down, scheduled to come into effect in the 2022/23 season.

The new measures aim to be more appealing to players as they juggle rugby with increasing demands on their time away from the game. The changes are designed to help arrest a decline in the numbers of adult men playing rugby union in the community game, as well as adding variety and interest which the game has told us it wants.

The features include aiming to reduce travel times and distances players spend travelling to matches and shortening the length of league seasons. The priorities remain player welfare and protecting the sustainability of clubs.

The recommendations follow a series of consultations with clubs, coaches and players, in addition to webinars, a national survey and detailed analysis of the RFU’s Game Management System and Electronic Match Card data.

Thank you to everyone who shared feedback on the current competition structure.

The full details can be found below