Counties 3 Somerset (formerly known as Somerset 1 or Tribute Somerset 1 for sponsorship reasons) is an English rugby union league which sits at the ninth level of league rugby union in England involving teams based in the county of Somerset as well as some teams based in Bristol. 1st, 2nd and even 3rd XV sides can participate in the division as long as they are not from the same club.
The league champions and runners up are promoted to Counties 2 Somerset while relegated teams drop to either Counties 4 Somerset North or Counties 4 Somerset South depending on location. Each year clubs in this division also take part in the RFU Junior Vase â a level 9âÂÂ12 national competition.
Departing were Keynsham II, promoted to Counties 2 Somerset, while Walcott II were relegated to Counties 4 Somerset North.
Departing were Castle Cary promoted to Counties 2 Somerset while Cheddar Valley (12th) and Somerton (11th) were relegated to Counties 4 Somerset North and Counties 4 Somerset South respectively.
Departing were Nailsea & Backwell II, promoted to Counties 2 Somerset, while Imperial II were relegated.
Joining were Walcott II, Yatton and Chew Valley III.
Chew Valley III (promoted as champions from Counties 4 Somerset North) and Oldfield Old Boys II (10th in 2023âÂÂ24) both started but did not complete the season meaning the remaining league fixtures were contested by ten sides.
Departing were Burnham-on-Sea II (12th) and Wiveliscombe II (11th) both relegated to Counties 4 Somerset South.
There was no promotion as Hornets II were already in Counties 2 Somerset meaning Hornets III could not compete in the same league.
Joining were Wyvern and Weston-super-Mare II.
Departing were Chew Valley II, promoted to Counties 2 Somerset, while Stothert & Pitt (9th) and Bristol Telephone Area (12th) were relegated.
Joining were Imperial II and Old Redcliffians III..
Departing were Huish Tigers, promoted to Counties 2 Somerset. Wells II (10th) were relegated to Counties 4 Somerset South.
Joining were Burnham-on-Sea II, Cheddar Valley, Crewkerne and Tor.
This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review with the league split into North and South divisions.
Departing were Old Redcliffians II, promoted, together with Cheddar Valley (7th) who took a voluntary relegation to Counties 4 Somerset South and Morganians (11th) who withdrew from league competition.
Joining were Bristol Harlequins, Bristol Telephone Area, Clevedon II, Gordano II, Oldfield Old Boys II, Stothert & Pitt and Winscombe II.
Joining were Castle Cary, Chard II, Hornets III, Huish Tigers (double promotion), Somerton, Wells II and Wiveliscombe II.
Taunton II (11th in 2019âÂÂ20) started but did not complete the season leaving eleven sides to contest the remaining fixtures.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020âÂÂ21 season was cancelled.
When league rugby began in 1987 this division contained the following teams:
The original Somerset 1 was a tier 9 league with promotion to Gloucestershire/Somerset and relegation to Somerset 2.
The creation of National League 5 South for the 1993âÂÂ94 season meant that Somerset 1 dropped to become a tier 10 league. Promotion continued to Gloucestershire/Somerset 1 and relegation to Somerset 2.
The cancellation of National League 5 South at the end of the 1995âÂÂ96 season meant that Somerset 1 reverted to being a tier 9 league. Promotion continued to Gloucestershire/Somerset and relegation to Somerset 2.
The cancellation of Gloucestershire/Somerset at the end of the 1999âÂÂ00 season, saw Somerset 1 remain at tier 9, with promotion now to the new Somerset Premier and relegation continuing to Somerset 2.
Somerset 1 remained a tier 9 league with promotion to Somerset Premier but the splitting of Somerset 2 into two regional divisions, meant that relegation was now to either Somerset 2 North or Somerset 2 South. From the 2007âÂÂ08 season onward the league sponsor would be Tribute.
Despite widespread restructuring by the RFU at the end of the 2008âÂÂ09 season, Somerset 1 remained a tier 9 league, with promotion continuing to Somerset Premier, while relegation to either Somerset 2 North or Somerset 2 South. The league would continued to be sponsored by Tribute.