Welsh Premier Division
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The Welsh Premier Division (also called the Principality Premiership for sponsorship reasons) is a rugby union league in Wales. It was created in 1990/91.
For the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons it was renamed the Welsh-Scottish League and Edinburgh and Glasgow competed alongside the Welsh teams.
It lost its top-level status in 2003 once the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) implemented its controversial "Regional Rugby" plan, by which the country would be represented in top-level competitions (i.e., the Celtic League and Heineken Cup) by five (now four) regionally-based sides. The clubs in the Premier Division became largely developmental sides for the regional teams.
Over succeeding years the league structure was to be changed in order to strengthen the structure of the semi-pro sides feeding the regions. Under the WRU's plan, playing records and facilities will be the main criteria in determining which clubs would stay in the Premiership.
For the 2005-2006 season the Welsh Premier Division consists of 16 clubs. Division One Champions Maesteg and runners-up Glamorgan Wanderers were promoted from Division 1 to join 14 clubs who played Premiership rugby the previous season. The clubs relegated down to Division 1 are Caerphilly, Llanharan and Newbridge. Thus, the division was reduced from 17 to 16 clubs.
For the 2006-2007 season, the Welsh Premier Division was reduced once more to 14 teams.
Contents |
[edit] 2006/2007 Season
- Aberavon RFC
- Bedwas RFC
- Bridgend Ravens RFC
- Cardiff RFC
- Cross Keys RFC
- Ebbw Vale RFC
- Glamorgan Wanderers
- Llandovery RFC
- Llanelli RFC
- Maesteg RFC
- Neath RFC
- Newport RFC
- Pontypridd RFC
- Swansea RFC
[edit] Past winners
1990/91 Neath
1991/92 Swansea
1992/93 Llanelli
1993/94 Swansea
1994/95 Cardiff
1995/96 Neath
1996/97 Pontypridd
1997/98 Swansea
1998/99 Llanelli
1999/2000 Cardiff
2000/01 Swansea
2001/02 Llanelli
2002/03 Bridgend
2003/04 Newport
2004/05 Neath
2005/06 Neath
[edit] Wins by club
- Swansea (4 times)
- Neath (4 times)
- Llanelli (3 times)
- Cardiff (twice)
- Pontypridd (once)
- Bridgend (once)
- Newport (once)
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
| Rugby union in Wales | |
|---|---|
| Federation: | Welsh Rugby Union |
| National team: | Wales national team • Wales Sevens • British and Irish Lions |
| International Competitions: | Rugby World Cup • Six Nations Championship • Heineken Cup • European Challenge Cup • European Shield • Celtic League • Powergen Cup • Rugby World Cup Sevens • IRB Sevens World Series |
| Domestic Competitions: | Welsh Premier Division • Welsh Cup • ASDA League |
| Welsh Regions: | Cardiff Blues • Llanelli Scarlets • Newport Gwent Dragons • Ospreys |
| Welsh Premier Division teams: | Aberavon • Bedwas • Bridgend Ravens • Cardiff • Cross Keys • Ebbw Vale • Glamorgan Wanderers • Llandovery • Llanelli • Maesteg • Neath • Newport • Pontypridd • Swansea Sharks |
