The 2010âÂÂ12 European Nations Cup Second Division is the third tier rugby union in Europe behind the Six Nations Championship and the 2010âÂÂ12 European Nations Cup First Division.
The second division comprises four pools (2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D). Teams within each division play each other in a home and away round robin schedule over a two-year period.
At the end of each season a champion is declared, but for relegation and promotion only the two years ranking are considered.
The first in the 2010âÂÂ2012 ranking of each pool will be promoted while last place teams will be relegated. Winners of pool 2A, will be promoted to division 1-pool B for the 2012âÂÂ14 edition while the last place team in pool 2A will be relegated to pool 2B. Likewise, winners of 2B will be promoted to 2A, last place in 2B will be relegated to 2C, winner of 2C will be promoted to 2B, last place of 2C will be relegated to 2D, winner of 2D will be promoted to 2C and last place of 2D will be relegated to 3; The winner of 3 replacing the relegated 2D team. Additionally, there will be playoff matches between second place teams and fourth place teams between pools. Winners of these playoffs will determine if additional promotions/relegation occur. There will no playoff between the fourth of 2D and the second of 3.