The WRU National Championship (or Admiral Championship for sponsorship reasons) is the third tier of professional rugby union in Wales. The league was reformed by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) in 2012.
In 2012, the new division was formed from the restructuring of the Welsh Premier Division. The Premier Division was 'slimmed down' to 12 teams with Pontypool RFC and Tonmawr RFC relegated from the division. Tonmawr had already made the decision to opt out of the new league and would start the 2012âÂÂ13 season in Division Six.
The National Championship is the third tier, which lies below the second tier Welsh Premier Division in Welsh club rugby. Above Welsh club rugby sides are the four regions, the Scarlets, Ospreys, Cardiff Blues, and Dragons, as part of regional rugby, who instead compete in the United Rugby Championship.
The teams for the league would be decided on three factors. Firstly, the holding of an 'A Licence' based on stadium criteria. The signing of a 'Participation Agreement' and judged on league results over the previous six seasons. It was originally decided that the Premiership would reduce in size to ten teams. It was announced that four clubs, Pontypool, Tonmwar, Bridgend Ravens and Carmarthen Quins RFC had not achieved the required criteria to be included into the new league. However, pressure from Ospreys and Scarlets backers led to the league being extended to 12 teams with Bridgend and Carmarthen included. Tonmawr, citing financial reasons, opted not to take part in the new league at all and re-entered themselves into Division Six.
The new league came under scrutiny in 2012 when Pontypool RFC launched a legal challenge to avoid being the only club relegated to the new division, which they ultimately lost on the grounds of 'meritocracy'. Pontypool had finished 12th in the previous campaign, above rivals Bedwas RFC and level on points with historic rivals Newport RFC.
Colour markers to represent the region each club belongs to:<br /> Blue = Cardiff Rugby || Orange = Dragons || Black = Ospreys || Red = Scarlets <div style=display:inline-grid>
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Colour markers to represent the region each club belongs to:<br /> Blue = Cardiff Rugby || Orange = Dragons || Black = Ospreys || Red = Scarlets <div style=display:inline-grid>
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Due to the creation of Super Rygbi Cymru, the Welsh Premiership underwent a reconstruction. The top five clubs from both Championships were promoted at the end of the 2023âÂÂ24 season to join the three clubs not granted access to the Super Rygbi Cymru.
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Cancelled due to COVID-19
Correct as of 26 February 2019
(R) - denotes relegation to the WRU Division One East or WRU Division One West
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