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THE FULL CHANGES plus league by league breakdown
Firstly, we will continue this season as a Level 5 club knowing that only two Level 5 clubs will be relegated at the end. That is out of the four regional leagues - London & SE One, South West One , Midlands One and, of course, North One.
The four teams who are champions of those leagues will be automatically promoted, as will the winners of the play-offs between London and South West and North and Midlands. So that's six teams up and two down.
Assuming we are not among that lot we will start next season in the new National 3 North league, alongside 13 other teams, giving us two more much needed home league fixtures. There won't be any national cups in the shape of National Trophy or the Intermediate cup [the one we are in this week against City] but instead there will be end of season play-offs for the four champions. A semi-final followed by a final at Twickenham.
The new National Three North will be made up of the existing North One teams which were neither promoted nor relegated, plus one side coming down from level 4 [the current National 3] and three clubs coming up from North 2 East and West.
If you think that is complicated take a look at the leagues below us!
There is one decision which still needs clarifying but, on the face of it, could prove to be very good news for the Stags. The RFU has decided to introduce a reserve team competition for the second teams from the 104 clubs in the top three leagues plus "suitable teams" from levels two to six. A great incentive for the Stags to continue their progress in the CaNDY league.
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Author: oldge
Date: 17-11-08 15:33
At a glance this all seems very complicated but in reality the only thing that has changed for West is the name of our league and the amount of teams in it. We will remain as a level 5 club (unless we finish top or in the bottom 2 of course) and the region of our oppenents will still not change as level 5 is still split into the same 4 regions as it is now! To be honest i dont see the point in calling it national 3 as it makes it more confusisng!
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Author: Dave Picken
Date: 17-11-08 15:53
Not sure that's what they will end up calling it - but something has to change as National One will be called The Championship.
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Author: oldge
Date: 17-11-08 16:00
Makes more sense to keep them as north 1, south 1, midlands 1 and london 1!
To me this is not a massive overhaul of the structure, its purely to introduce a 2nd level of professional rugby!
The increase of teams is the only relevant factor as it means an extra 4 games a season which most will see as a good thing (apart from the WAGS)
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Author: West Park Allotment
Date: 20-11-08 16:16
It all seems ok to me. Two guaranteed league games replacing luck of the draw cup games is a better option.
Not sure I agree with rewriting the promotion and relegation rules half way during a season. They should have announced this now and introduced it at the end of next season.
Can someone wiser than me explain the second teams league and how it will work?
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Author: Supercodhead
Date: 25-11-08 12:23
and how will they decide how only two teams get relegated out of four leagues>>>it may be of great interest to you lot>>>although Darlow look like they are dreadful this season>>.
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Author: Dave Picken
Date: 26-11-08 11:36
Well I copied the RFU statement in full so really you know as much as me.
However, there are thoughts though that relegation from our level will be decided on results at the end of the season.
There are four divisions at Level 5 so the two bottom clubs with the worst playing records will be relegated to level 6.
We are waiting to hear about the reserves team league.
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Author: oldge
Date: 27-11-08 18:58
dont think that has changed. top team will go up and second team in play off with yorkshire 1 second placed team.
saying that i dont think a decision has been made on size of north2 next season. if its increased from 12 to 14 something would have to give although i would assume they would relegate less teams rather than promote more!
hate to say it but it wont make a difference to you lot cos i'd be amazed if you are not champions!
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