Serie A is the second tier of the Italian Rugby Union championship. Until the creation of the Super 10 (now Serie A Elite) in a 2002 restructuring exercise, it was the top tier.
Serie A is composed of 4 leagues of 6 teams. During the season, which runs from September to May, each team plays each other team in the same league at home and away. At the completion of this phase of competition, the top 2 teams from each league play off in semi-finals and a final to determine the champions who are then promoted to the Eccellenza competition for the following season.