Counties 2 Midlands West (West) (formerly Midlands 3 West (North)) is a level 8 English Rugby Union league and level 3 of the Midlands League, made up of teams from the northern part of the West Midlands region including Shropshire, Staffordshire, parts of Birmingham and the West Midlands and occasionally Cheshire, with home and away matches played throughout the season. When this division began in 1992 it was known as Midlands West 2, until it was split into two regional divisions called Midlands 4 West (North) and Midlands 4 West (South) ahead of the 2000âÂÂ01 season. Further restructuring of the Midlands leagues ahead of the 2009âÂÂ10 season, led to it to adopt the name Midlands 3 West (North) and again following the RFU's Adult Competition Review, from season 2022-23 it was known, briefly as Counties 2 Midlands West (North), before the league was split East/West giving rise to its current name.
Promoted teams tend to move up to Counties 2 Midlands West (North) or Counties 2 Midlands West (South) depending on location. Relegated teams typically drop to Midlands 4 West (North). Each year all clubs in the division also take part in the RFU Senior Vase - a level 8 national competition.
Departing were Stourbridge Lions (champions) promoted to Counties 1 Midlands West (North) and Bromyard (runner-up) promoted to Counties 1 Midlands West (South). Also leaving were Walsall II (9th) relegated to Counties 3 Midlands West (South) while Oswestry (10th) and Market Drayton (11th) were relegated to Counties 3 Midlands West (North). Harborne (8th) left on a level transfer to Counties 2 Midlands West (East).
Departing were Newport (Salop) 2XV and Willenhall, both promoted to Counties 1 Midlands West (North). Handsworth (11th) and Rugeley (12th) were relegated.
Joining were Harborne, Longton, Trentham and Walsall II.
Tenbury (7th in 2023-24) started but subsequently withdrew from the league leaving eleven teams to contest the remaining fixtures.
The league name changed from Counties 2 Midlands West (North) to Counties 2 Midlands West (West) with a corresponding adjustment in the make up of the competing sides.
Departing were Burntwood and Harborne, promoted to Counties 2 Midlands West (North). Aldridge (12th) and Cleobury Mortimer (11th) were relegated. Veseyans left on a level transfer to Counties 2 Midlands West (East).
Joining on a level transfer, were Bromyard and Tenbury from Counties 2 Midlands West (East) together with Rugeley, Willenhall and Stourbridge Lions.
This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review with the league adopting its new name of Counties 2 Midlands West (North).
Departing were Edwardians, Telford Hornets and Shrewsbury, all promoted to Counties 1 Midlands West (North). Also leaving were Eccleshall (11th) and Linley & Kidsgrove (7th).
Joining were Bridgnorth II, Luctonians III, Market Drayton, Oswestry and Newport (Salop) 2XV.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020âÂÂ21 season was cancelled.
Teams in Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West (South) were originally part of a single division called Midlands 2 West, which contained the following sides when it was introduced in 1992:
Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West (South) were originally part of a single tier 8 division called Midlands West 2. Promotion was to Midlands West 1 and relegation was to either North Midlands 1 or Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1.
The top six teams from Midlands 1 and the top six from North 1 were combined to create National 5 North, meaning that Midlands 2 West dropped to become a tier 9 league. Promotion continued to Midlands West 1 while relegation was to either North Midlands 1 or Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1.
At the end of the 1995âÂÂ96 season National 5 North was discontinued and Midlands West 2 returned to being a tier 8 league. Promotion continued to Midlands West 1 while relegation was to either North Midlands 1 or Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1.
Restructuring ahead of the 2000âÂÂ01 season saw Midlands West 2 split into two tier 8 regional leagues - Midlands 4 West (North) and Midlands 4 West (South). Promotion was now to Midlands 3 West (North) and relegation to either North Midlands 1 or Staffordshire 1.
At the start of the 2004âÂÂ05 season Midlands 4 West (North) remained at tier 8 of the league system, with promotion continuing to Midlands 3 West (North). However, the restructuring of the leagues below meant that relegation was now to either North Midlands (North) or Staffordshire
At the start of the 2006âÂÂ07 season Midlands 4 West (North) remained at tier 8 of the league system, with promotion continuing to Midlands 3 West (North). The cancellation of the Staffordshire league meant that relegation was now to the newly introduced Midlands 5 West (North).
League restructuring by the RFU meant that Midlands 4 West (North) and Midlands 4 West (South) were renamed as Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West (South), with both leagues remaining at tier 8. Promotion was now to Midlands 2 West (North) (formerly Midlands 3 West (North)) and relegation to Midlands 4 West (North) (formerly Midlands 5 West (North)).