Counties 2 Kent (formerly London 3 South East) is an English level 8 Rugby Union League involving club sides from Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex and the south-east London. The twelve teams play home and away matches from September to April. Following the RFU's Adult Competition Review, from season 2022âÂÂ23 it adopted its current name Counties 2 Kent.
Promoted teams move up to Counties 1 Kent. Relegated teams drop down to Counties 3 Kent.
Departing were Old Elthamians and Gillingham Anchorians promoted to Counties 1 Kent while Dartford Valley were relegated to Counties 3 Kent.
Departing were Sevenoaks II and Park House promoted to Counties 1 Kent. Old Dunstonians were relegated to Counties 3 Kent.
Joining were Thanet Wanderers, relegated from Counties 1 Kent together with Old Alleynians II and Old Elthamians, both promoted from Counties 3 Kent.
Departing were Canterbury II and Dover promoted to Counties 1 Kent as joint champions. Southwark Lancers were relegated and moved on a level transfer to Counties 4 Surrey whilst Hastings & Bexhill were relegated to Counties 3 Kent.
Joining were Folkestone and Aylesford Bulls, both relegated from Counties 1 Kent together with Dartford Valley and Medway II, both promoted from Counties 3 Kent.
This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review with the league adopting its new name of Counties 2 Kent.
Returning were 6 of the 12 teams who competed in the previous season's league.
Departing were Bromley, Aylesford Bulls, Cranbrook and Heathfield & Waldron, all promoted to Counties 1 Kent. Also leaving on a level transfer to Counties 2 Sussex were Pulborough (10th) and Crawley (12th).
Joining were Hastings & Bexhill and Park House, both promoted. There were also new entries with the 2XVs from Sidcup, Canterbury, Sevenoaks and Westcombe Park added.
The teams competing in 2021âÂÂ22 season earned their places in the league based on their performances in the 2019âÂÂ20, Thus, the 'previous season' column in the table below refers to the 2019âÂÂ20 season, not the 2020âÂÂ21 season.
On 30 October 2020 the RFU announced that due to the coronavirus pandemic a decision had been taken to cancel Adult Competitive Leagues (National League 1 and below) for the 2020/21 season meaning London 3 South East was not contested.
When this division was introduced in 2000 (as London 4 South East) it contained the following teams:
Originally known as London 4 South East, this division was a tier 8 league with promotion up to London 3 South East and relegation down to either Kent 1 or Sussex 1.
League restructuring by the RFU ahead of the 2009âÂÂ10 season saw London 4 South East renamed as London 3 South East. Remaining as a tier 8 league promotion was to London 2 South East (formerly London 3 South East), while relegation continued to either Kent 1 or Sussex 1.