History of the English rugby union system

Sunday Telegraph Merit Tables

The Sunday Telegraph published Merit Tables for the leading English clubs from the 1960s to the 1980s. The position of the clubs was based on the percentage of matches won with only matches against other clubs in the table counting.

Sunday Telegraph English Champions 1964 to 1987

Precursor competitions

While there were experiments with county leagues in the north in the nineteenth century for most of rugby union's history there have been no organised leagues. The 1970s saw the creation of a national cup and a series of regional and county merit leagues (the most important of which being the North, Midlands, South West and London merit league).

In 1984 this was taken one step further with the creation of two national merit leagues for the top twenty four clubs (based around playing a minimum of sixteen fixtures against each other, a factor which led to Exeter's exclusion after consideration). The top division had three clubs from each of the major merit leagues. In these clubs had to play a minimum of eight fixtures against the other clubs in their division but it was largely based around pre-existing fixtures. There was a system of promotion and relegation between the Merit Tables. 1985 saw the addition of a third national merit table, albeit without promotion and relegation to the top two.

1984–85 season

The initial lineups of the merit tables was as follows:

1985–86

This year saw the creation of Merit Table C with the following clubs:

1986–87

Foundation of the national league system

In 1987 the merit tables formed the basis of the top three divisions of the national league system. For the first season there were no fixed fixtures so clubs had to arrange their own (to a minimum of ten out of eleven opponents, only one game against each club could count). For the initial season there was no promotion and relegation between National 2 and National 3 but this was created for the following season. National 3 had a minimum of two clubs per region (with the top four clubs in the previous season's Merit Table C getting a guaranteed spot outside this quota) thus Roundhay missed out on a spot to Maidstone.

In 1988 clubs had their fixtures set by the league for them though still only played each other once.

Initial composition of major leagues (1987–88 season)

1987–88 season

1988–89 season

1989–90 season

1990–91 season

For the 1990–91 season all divisions were increased to 13 teams and the Area Leagues were renamed National 4 North and National 4 South.

1991–92 season

1992–93 season

1993–94 season

The 1993–94 season saw the reduction in size of the national divisions to ten teams and the creation of a national fourth division. It also saw the introduction of home and away fixtures. National 4 North and 4 South kept the same format but were renamed National 5 North and 5 South

1994–95 season

1995–96 season

1996–97 season

This year saw the expansion of the top two divisions to twelve teams and the temporary expansion of National 3 to sixteen clubs. It also saw National 5 North and 5 South revert to being 4 North and 4 South, expanded to fourteen teams, and for the first time, with home and away fixtures. The leagues became openly professional this year.

1997–98 season

The 1997-98 season saw the addition of sponsorship by Allied Dunbar and as a result a rebranding of National 1 and 2 to Premiership 1 and 2. National 3 and 4 (North and South) become National 1 and National 2 (North and South) respectively.

1998–99 season

The 1998–99 season saw the expansion of the two premiership divisions to fourteen teams.

1999–2000 season

The 1999–2000 season saw the contraction of Premiership 1 to twelve teams with London Scottish and Richmond being absorbed into London Irish and reforming in county leagues.

2000–01 season

The 2000–01 season saw Zurich take over the sponsorship of the top division with no interest in the second tier. This saw Premiership 2 rebranded National 1, with National 1 and 2 (North and South) becoming National 2 and 3 (North and South) respectively. It also saw the creation of a promotion play-off between the runners-up of the National 3 divisions with an extra relegation place from National 2. A new Championship competition for the top eight clubs was introduced this season. It was intended that the winners of the Championship would become champions but this decision was revoked after outcry. This season also saw the introduction of the rugby union bonus points system.

2001–02 season

2002–03 season

This season saw the replacement of the Zurich Championship with a top four play-off, the winner of which would be crowned champions.

2003–04 season

2004–05 season

2005–06 season

The 2005–06 season saw Zurich replaced as Premiership sponsors by Guinness

2006–07 season

The 2006–07 season saw National 1 expanded to sixteen clubs.

2007–08 season

2008–09 season

Creation of National 3 divisions (for 2009–10 season)

2009–10 season

The 2009–10 season saw major changes to the league system below the Premiership. The second tier was reduced to twelve teams and rebranded the RFU Championship with a play-off system and only one relegation spot. National 2 and 3 (North and South) reverted to National 1 and National 2 (North and South), and were expanded to sixteen teams. Four National 3 divisions were created based around the top regional leagues with fourteen teams in each (see above). National play-offs for the title were created for the winners of the National 2 and National 3 divisions. A similar play-off series was created for the eight winners of the regional divisions.

2010–11 season

2011–12 season

2012–13 season

2013–14 season

2014–15 season