Regional 2 North West

Regional 2 North West
Current season or competition:
2025–26 Regional 2 North West
SportRugby union
Instituted2022
Number of teams12
Country England
HoldersNorth Ribblesdale (2025–26)
Most titlesAnselmians, Birkenhead Park, Bowdon and North Ribblesdale (1 title)
WebsiteNorthern Division

Regional 2 North West is a level six league in the English rugby union system, with the twelve teams drawn for the most part from Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside and the Isle of Man with selected others from neighbouring counties. The other level six leagues in the Northern Division are Regional 2 North for teams in North East England and Cumbria; and Regional 2 North East for teams, predominantly, in Yorkshire. It was created as a product of the 2022 Adult Competition Review.[1]

North Ribblesdale are the current champions and are promoted to Regional 1 North West.

Structure

The league consists of twelve teams who play the others on a home and away basis, to make a total of 22 matches each. The champions are promoted to Regional 1 North West and the bottom sides are relegated to Counties 1 ADM Lancashire & Cheshire.

The results of the matches contribute points to the league as follows:

  • 4 points are awarded for a win
  • 2 points are awarded for a draw
  • 0 points are awarded for a loss, however
  • 1 losing (bonus) point is awarded to a team that loses a match by 7 points or fewer
  • 1 additional (bonus) point is awarded to a team scoring 4 tries or more in a match.

2026–27

Participating teams and locations

Departing were the champions North Ribblesdale, promoted to Regional 1 North East, together with Vale of Lune (2nd place and play-off winner) promoted to Regional 1 North West while West Park St Helens (11th and relegation play-off loser) and Altrincham Kersal (12th) were relegated to Counties 1 ADM Lancashire & Cheshire.

2025–26

Participating teams and locations

Departing were Bowdon, promoted to Regional 1 North West, while Crewe & Nantwich (11th) and Eccles (12th) were relegated to Counties 1 Midlands West (North) and Counties 1 ADM Lancashire & Cheshire respectively. Incoming clubs were Birkenhead Park (12th), relegated from Regional 1 North West, while North Ribblesdale and West Park St Helens, champions of Counties 1 Yorkshire and Counties 1 ADM Lancashire & Cheshire respectively were both promoted.

League table

Regional 2 North West 2025–26
Pos Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points
1North Ribblesdale (P) 22180477936841117392
2Vale of Lune (P) 22160666843223615281
3Sandbach 22160674743231512379
4Widnes 221309581603−229364
5Douglas 22110115784978112662
6Burnage 2211011595606−1111560
7Winnington Park 2211011513615−1027253
8Birkenhead Park 229013559605−4611552
9Firwood Waterloo 228014535651−11611851
10Northwich 229013568604−3610349
11West Park St Helens (R) 228014457757−3007241
12Altrincham Kersal (R) 222020432842−4108824
  • If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Number of draws
  3. Difference between points for and against
  4. Total number of points for
  5. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  6. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
  • Mint background is the promotion place (1st)
  • Green background are the promotion play-off places (2nd–5th)
  • Pink background are the relegation play-off places (10th–11th)
  • Salmon background is the relegation place (12th)

[9] Updated: 25 May 2026

Play-offs

The champions, North Ribblesdale, are automatically promoted to next seasons Regional 1 North East. The teams in second place through to fifth place take part in the first round of the promotion play-offs, with the winner of each match taking part in round 2. Vale of Lune won round 2 and played the winner of the Regional 2 North Midlands play-offs, with the winner of this match, playing in the Regional 1 North West Accession Final.[10]

Round 1
18 April 2026
Vale of Lune (2nd)23 – 18Douglas (5th)
Powder House Lane, Lancaster
18 April 2026
Sandbach (3rd)27 – 19Widnes (4th)
Bradwall Road, Sandbach
Round 2
25 April 2026
Vale of Lune (2nd)29 – 17Sandbach (3rd)
Powder House Lane, Lancaster
Round 3
2 May 2026
West Bridford51 – 55Vale of Lune
The Memorial Ground, West Bridgford
Regional 1 North West Accession Final
9 May 2026
Manchester13 – 16Vale of Lune
Grove Park, Cheadle Hulme
  • Vale of Lune are promoted.
Relegation play-off

The 10th and 11h placed teams held a play-off, with the losing team relegated.

25 April 2026
Northwich (10th)32 – 25West Park St Helens (11th)
Moss Farm, Northwich
  • West Park St Helens are relegated.


2024–25

Participating teams and locations

Departing were Birkenhead Park,[11] who were promoted to Regional 1 North West, and Liverpool St Helens, who were relegated to Counties 1 ADM Lancashire & Cheshire.[12] Kirkby Lonsdale (11th) went on a level transfer to Regional 2 North[13] as did Whitchurch on a level transfer back to Regional 2 West Midlands after just one season. Joining were Sandbach[14] and Northwich,[15] relegated from Regional 1 North West, whilst Eccles[16] and Widnes[17] were promoted from Counties 1 ADM Lancashire & Cheshire.

League table

Regional 2 North West 2024–25
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points Points deducted
1Bowdon (P)221903813375438152940
2Firwood Waterloo221804750485265162900
3Sandbach221705884395489172870
4Vale of Lune22151660152972132770
5Burnage22121967258290123650
6Douglas221101156052139112570
7Altrincham Kersal2210012478665−187103530
8Northwich228014486500−1466440
9Widnes228014394628−23472410
10Winnington Park225017479780−30195340
11Crewe & Nantwich (R)226016337678−34142300
12Eccles (R)222020454770−31610518−5
  • If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Number of draws
  3. Difference between points for and against
  4. Total number of points for
  5. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  6. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
Green background is the promotion place. Pink background are the relegation places.
Updated: 24 September 2025
Source:[21]

2023–24

Participating teams and locations

Departing were Anselmians, who were promoted to Regional 1 North West[22] while Broughton Park and Wilmslow[23] were relegated to Counties 1 ADM Lancashire & Cheshire. Glossop (9th) and Rochdale (4th) went on a level transfer to Regional 2 North East.

Joining were Burnage[24] and Kirby Lonsdale,[25] relegated from Regional 1 North West, and Liverpool St Helens promoted from Counties 1 ADM Lancashire & Cheshire.[26] Also coming in were Crewe & Nantwich and Whitchurch, both on a level transfer from Regional 2 West Midlands.

League table

Regional 2 North West 2023–24
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points Points deducted
1Birkenhead Park (P)221912778405373201970
2Firwood Waterloo221615661404257133800
3Bowdon221516555442113124760
4Crewe & Nantwich22141754939015993700
5Burnage221001262354974138610
6Whitchurch2210012425481−5686540
7Vale of Lune228212519544−13674470
8Altrincham Kersal228113456592−13664440
9Winnington Park227114582721−139103430
10Douglas228212377428−5145410
11Kirkby Lonsdale227114420627−20765410
12Liverpool St Helens (R)224117371733−3625526−2
  • If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Number of draws
  3. Difference between points for and against
  4. Total number of points for
  5. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  6. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
Green background is the promotion place. Pink background are the relegation places.
Updated: 7 November 2024
Source:[31]

2022–23

Participating teams and locations

This was the first season following the Rugby Football Union (RFU) Adult Competition Review. The league was substantially similar to North 1 West (although smaller as the 14 teams were reduced to 12) with nine teams returning supplemented by three from North 2 West – Anselmians, Rochdale and Winnington Park.

League table

Regional 2 North West 2022–23
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Loss bonus Points Points deducted
1Anselmians (P)222002743290453162990
2Bowdon221903772472300180940
3Birkenhead Park221606785409376154830
4Rochdale221507592401191133760
5Firwood Waterloo221309673554119123670
6Altrincham Kersal2210012483490−7104540
7Vale of Lune229013452595−14381450
8Winnington Park228014530702−17275440
9Glossop228014489675−18675440
10Douglas226016429636−20754330
11Broughton Park (R)223118374829−45542200
12Wilmslow (R)224117340609−2693218−5
  • If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Number of draws
  3. Difference between points for and against
  4. Total number of points for
  5. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  6. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
Green background is the promotion place. Pink background are the relegation places.
Updated: 6 November 2024
Source:[36]

Regional 2 North West (2022– )

League restructuring by the RFU created twelve leagues at level six. The champions are promoted to Regional 1 North West and the bottom sides are relegated to Counties 1 ADM Lancashire & Cheshire

Regional 2 North West
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
2022–231222AnselmiansBowdonBroughton Park (11th) and Wilmslow (12th)[36]
2023–241222Birkenhead ParkNorthernLiverpool St Helens (12th)[31]
2024–251222BowdonFirwood WaterlooCrewe & Nantwich (11th) and Eccles (12th)[21]
2025–261222North RibblesdaleVale of LuneWest Park St Helens (11th) and Altrincham Kersal (12th)[9]
Green background is the promotion place.

Notes

References

  1. ↑ "Future competition structure 2022/23 in the adult male game". RFU. 18 December 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  2. ↑ Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell, ed. (1990). "Waterloo F.C. (Ground Details)". Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91 (3rd ed.). Windsor: Burlington Publishing Co. Ltd. p. 126.
  3. ↑ "Grove Lane". Manchester Rugby Club. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  4. ↑ "Sandbach RUFC". Contact. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  5. ↑ Ross Young, ed. (1993). "Winnington Park RFC (Ground Details)". Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1993–94. Taunton: Tony Williams Publications. p. 285.
  6. ↑ Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell, ed. (1990). "Waterloo F.C. (Ground Details)". Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91 (3rd ed.). Windsor: Burlington Publishing Co. Ltd. p. 126.
  7. ↑ "Sandbach RUFC". Contact. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  8. ↑ Ross Young, ed. (1993). "Winnington Park RFC (Ground Details)". Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1993–94. Taunton: Tony Williams Publications. p. 285.
  9. 1 2 "Regional 2 North West". England Rugby. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
  10. ↑ "Populated Play-off Schedule - Illustrative after Sat. 9th May" (PDF). England Rugby. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  11. ↑ "League Trophies Presentation". Birkenhead Park FC. 16 April 2024.
  12. ↑ "All change at Moss Lane ahead of LSH's first game of year". St Helens Star. 3 September 2024.
  13. ↑ "First XV Fixtures for 2024-25". Kirby Lonsdale RFC. 1 August 2024.
  14. ↑ "Regional 2 North West League Fixtures Published (1st XV)". Sandbach RUFC. 13 June 2024.
  15. ↑ "Northwich RUFC relegated after heavy defeat at Leek". Northwich Guardian. 26 March 2024.
  16. ↑ "Eccles secure back to back promotion". Eccles RUFC. 11 April 2024.
  17. ↑ "Widnes RUFC to join Regional 2 North West division next season". In Your Area Community. 4 June 2024.
  18. ↑ Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell, ed. (1990). "Waterloo F.C. (Ground Details)". Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91 (3rd ed.). Windsor: Burlington Publishing Co. Ltd. p. 126.
  19. ↑ "Sandbach RUFC". Contact. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  20. ↑ Ross Young, ed. (1993). "Winnington Park RFC (Ground Details)". Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1993–94. Taunton: Tony Williams Publications. p. 285.
  21. 1 2 "Table". Pitchero. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  22. ↑ "Northwich 29 Anselmians 28, rugby union match report". Northwich Guardian. 13 September 2023.
  23. ↑ "Glossop 16 Wilmslow 20". Glossop RUFC. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  24. ↑ "Important Rugby News from Burnage RFC". Burnage RFC. 27 January 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  25. ↑ "Record 190-0 win is biggest in British rugby history". Rugby World. 1 March 2023.
  26. ↑ "LSH promoted as champions after beating Widnes at Moss Lane". St Helens Star. 21 March 2023.
  27. ↑ Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell, ed. (1990). "Waterloo F.C. (Ground Details)". Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91 (3rd ed.). Windsor: Burlington Publishing Co. Ltd. p. 126.
  28. ↑ Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell, ed. (1990). "Liverpool St Helens F.C. (Ground Details)". Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91 (3rd ed.). Windsor: Burlington Publishing Co. Ltd. p. 58.
  29. ↑ "Liverpool St Helens". Rugby Journal. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  30. ↑ Ross Young, ed. (1993). "Winnington Park RFC (Ground Details)". Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1993–94. Taunton: Tony Williams Publications. p. 285.
  31. 1 2 "Regional 2 North West". England Rugby. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  32. ↑ "St Anselmians to be crowned N2W Champions". Wirral Globe. 26 April 2022.
  33. ↑ Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell, ed. (1990). "Waterloo F.C. (Ground Details)". Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91 (3rd ed.). Windsor: Burlington Publishing Co. Ltd. p. 126.
  34. ↑ Ross Young, ed. (1993). "Winnington Park RFC (Ground Details)". Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1993–94. Taunton: Tony Williams Publications. p. 285.
  35. ↑ "Park promoted to Regional 2 North West league – Level 6 rugby is back". Winnington Park RFC. 25 May 2022.
  36. 1 2 "Regional 2 North West". England Rugby. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.