Counties 2 Somerset (formerly Somerset Premier (which was known as Tribute Somerset Premier for sponsorship reasons) is an English rugby union league which sits at the eighth level of league rugby union in England involving teams based in the county of Somerset as well as some teams based in Bristol. Originally a single division called Gloucestershire/Somerset, in 2000 the division split into two county leagues called Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier and subsequently adopted its new name following the RFU Adult Competition Review at the end of season 2021âÂÂ22.
The league champions of Counties 2 Somerset are promoted to Counties 1 Western North while the runners up play the runners up of Gloucester Premier for their place. Relegated teams drop into Counties 3 Somerset North or Counties 3 Somerset South depending on location.
Departing were Midsomer Norton, promoted to Counties 1 Western North. Nailsea & Backwell II (12th) and Wells (11th) were relegated to Counties 3 Somerset (North) and Counties 3 Somerset (South) respectively.
Departing were Taunton II, promoted to Counties 1 Western North. Yatton (12th) and Weston-super-Mare II (11th) were relegated.
Joining were Clevedon and Midsomer Norton, both relegated from Counties 1 Western North. Nailsea & Backwell II were promoted from Counties 3 Somerset North.
In the offseason Huish Tigers rebranded as Rebels Rugby.
Departing were Old Redcliffians II, promoted to Counties 1 Western North. Tor were relegated.
Joining were Chew Valley II and Huish Tigers.
This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review.
Departing were Nailsea & Backwell, promoted to Counties 1 Western North. Bristol Harlequins, Stothert & Pitt and Crewkerne were relegated.
Joining were Old Redcliffians II, promoted, and Taunton II who had withdrawn from Somerset 1 the previous season.
With four departing and two joining the league was reduced from 14 clubs to 12.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020âÂÂ21 season was cancelled.
The 2015âÂÂ16 Somerset Premier consists of fourteen teams from Somerset and south-west Bristol. The season began on the 5 September 2015 and ended on the 30 April 2016.
Eleven of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. The 2014âÂÂ15 champions Gordano were promoted to Western Counties North while Bristol Imperial and Clevedon II were relegated to Somerset 1.
When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Gloucestershire/Somerset) contained the following teams:
Originally Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier were combined in a single division known as Gloucestershire/Somerset, involving teams based in Gloucestershire, Somerset and Bristol. It was tier 8 league with promotion to Western Counties and relegation to either Gloucestershire 1 or Somerset 1.
The creation of National League 5 South for the 1993âÂÂ94 season meant that Gloucestershire/Somerset dropped to become a tier 9 league. Promotion continued to Western Counties and relegation to either Gloucester 1 or Somerset 1.
The cancellation of National League 5 South at the end of the 1995âÂÂ96 season meant that Gloucestershire/Somerset reverted to being a tier 8 league. Further restructuring meant that promotion was now to Western Counties North, while relegation continued to either Gloucester 1 or Somerset 1.
Gloucestershire/Somerset was reorganised into two county leagues at the end of the 1999âÂÂ00 season, Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier, with both leagues remaining at level 8. Promotion from Somerset Premier was to Western Counties North and relegation to Somerset 1. 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 Premier remained a tier 8 league, with promotion continuing to Western Counties North and relegation to Somerset 1. The league would continued to be sponsored by Tribute.
Since the 2000âÂÂ01 season there has been a play-off between the runners-up of the Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier for the third and final promotion place to Western Counties North. The team with the superior league record has home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2019âÂÂ20 season Gloucester Premier teams have been the most successful with thirteen wins to the Somerset Premier teams six; and the home team has won promotion on twelve occasions compared to the away teams seven.