Counties 3 Hertfordshire (formerly Counties 3 Herts/Middlesex and before that Herts/Middlesex 1) is a tier 9 English Rugby Union league. It is organised by the London and South East Division Rugby Football Union for clubs in Hertfordshire and parts of north-west London that traditionally was encompassed by the historic county of Middlesex. Promotion is to Counties 2 Hertfordshire relegation is to the Hertfordshire RFU merit leagues.
Historically the league was a level 8 league but following the RFU's Adult Competition Review, from season 2022-23 it became a level 9 competition and adopted the name Counties 3 Herts/Middlesex, however ahead of the 2025-26 season a decision was taken to split out Hertfordshire RFU and Middlesex RFU clubs.
This was the first season with the league containing only Hertfordshire RFU clubs.
Royston (champions) and Chess Valley (3rd) were promoted to Counties 2 Hertfordshire. Also leaving as part of the division of Herts and Middlesex clubs were Actonians (4th), Finsbury Park (5th) and Kilburn Cosmos (6th) all promoted to Counties 2 Middlesex. Thamesians (runners-up) moved on a level transfer to Counties 3 Surrey.
Chess Valley II were initially placed in the league but subsequently withdrew leaving eleven clubs to contest the remaining fixtures.
Hatfield started the season but did not complete it withdrawing in early 2026.
Departing were UCS Old Boys and Verulamians promoted to Counties 2 Herts/Middlesex. Three clubs did not return for the new campaign - Bank Lane (9th) disbanded in Summer 2024 and merged with London Cornish RFC, Berkhamsted (10th) joined Herts RFU Merit South 1 and Uxbridge (13th) dropped to Middlesex RFU Merit 2. Joining were Mill Hill who re-entered the RFU league system for the first time since 2021âÂÂ22.
Hendon began their league campaign but withdrew in October to join the Middlesex RFU Merit leagues. Mill Hill, a re-entry, also subsequently withdrew leaving only eight clubs to contest the remaining fixtures.
Departing were Old Millhillians and Brunel University promoted to Counties 2 Herts/Middlesex.
Joining were Royston, relegated from Counties 2 Herts/Middlesex, together with Berkhamsted, Stevenage and Finsbury Park.
This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review with the league adopting its new name of Counties 3 Herts/Middlesex.
Returning were five of the ten teams from the previous season. Bank of England RFC changed their name to Bank Lane RFC during Summer 2022.
Departing were the top five from the previous season - London Scottish Lions, Barnet Elizabethans, Ealing Trailfinders 1871, Wasps FC and Saracens Amateurs - all promoted to Counties 2 Herts/Middlesex.
Joining were Old Millhillians, Brunel University, Watford, Uxbridge, Chess Valley and UCS Old Boys, all promoted.
The teams competing in 2021-22 achieved their places in the league based on performances in 2019âÂÂ20, the 'previous season' column in the table below refers to that season not 2020âÂÂ21.
On 30 October the RFU announced that a decision had been taken to cancel Adult Competitive Leagues (National League 1 and below) for the 2020/21 season meaning Herts/Middlesex 1 was not contested.
When this division was created in 1992 (as Herts/Middlesex) it contained the following teams:
Originally known as Herts/Middlesex, this division was a tier 8 league with promotion to London 3 North West and relegation to either Hertfordshire 1 or Middlesex 1. The introduction of National 5 South ahead of the 1993âÂÂ94 season meant that Herts/Middlesex dropped to become a tier 9 league.
Restructuring of the leagues by the RFU, which included the cancellation of National 5 South and the merging of the Hertfordshire and Middlesex regional divisions, meant that Herts/Middlesex was renamed as Herts/Middlesex 1 and was once again a tier 8 league. Promotion continued to London 3 North West, while relegation was now to the new Herts/Middlesex 2.
The introduction of London 4 North West ahead of the 2000âÂÂ01 season meant Herts/Middlesex 1 dropped to become a tier 9 league with promotion to this new division. Relegation continued to Herts/Middlesex 2.
Herts/Middlesex 1 remained a tier 9 league despite national league restructuring by the RFU. Promotion was to London 3 North West (formerly London 4 North West) and relegation to Herts/Middlesex 2.