Regional 2 South West, (formerly known as South West 1 West) is an English, level six, rugby union league for clubs based in the south-west of England; i.e. Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset. It is one of twelve leagues at this level in England. When league rugby started in 1986 it was known as South West 2, but in 1996 the division was split into two leagues — South West 1 West and South West 1 East. South West 1 West was renamed Regional 2 South West prior to the 2022–23 season. The champions are promoted to Regional 1 South West (formerly South West Premier) and the bottom two sides are relegated, depending on location, to either Counties 1 Western West, Counties 1 Western North or Counties 1 Southern South.
St Austell are the current champions.
Format
The season runs from September to April and comprises twenty-two rounds of matches, with each club playing each of its rivals, home and away. 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.
Current season
Nine of last seasons twelve teams played in that seasons competition. The champions St Austell were promoted to Regional 1 South West, while Sherborne (11th) and Bridgwater & Albion (12th) were relegated to Counties 1 Southern South and Counties 1 Western North respectively. Promoted from Counties 1 Western West are Topsham and Cullompton. Burnham-on-Sea are also promoted as the runner-up from Counties 1 Western North (Chippenham II, as champions, are not eligible for promotion because the first XV play in Regional 2 Severn also a level six league).
Participating teams and location
2022–23
Participating teams and location
League table
2021–22
Participating teams and location
Ahead of the new season, Stroud RFC (promoted as Western Counties North champions in 2019–20) withdrew from the league, leaving thirteen teams in this seasons competition. Ten of the teams in this seasons competition competed in 2019–20. The 'previous season' column in the table below refers to 2019–20 not 2020–21, which was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Of the thirteen teams competing in this seasons competition, five are from Somerset, four from Gloucester, three from Devon and one from Cornwall. The season started on 4 September 2021 and the final matches were played on 23 April 2022.
Chew Valley won the competition for the first time, just one point ahead of both Devonport Services and Lydney, in 2nd and 3rd place respectively. Owing to the reorganisation of the league system for next season, an announcement is awaited from the RFU as to which league teams will be allocated to.
League table
2020–21
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the season was cancelled.
2019–20
Participating teams and location
League table
2018–19
Participating teams and location
League table
Promotion play-off
This seasons play-off for promotion to the South West Premier was between Launceston and Old Centralians. Launceston had the better playing record and hosted the match at Polson Bridge, winning 33 – 22. This was the 19th play-off match, the first for Launceston and the second for Old Centralians who won promotion 2013. It was the 13th win for the home team and south-west teams have also won the match on 13 occasions.
2017–18
Participating teams and location
The 2017–18 South West 1 West consists of fourteen teams; five from Devon, four each from Gloucestershire and Somerset, and one from Cornwall. Ten of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. The season started on 2 September 2016 and the last league matches were played on 21 April 2017. The play-off match was played a week later on 28 April 2017.
League table
Promotion play-off
This seasons play-off for promotion to the South West Premier was between Exeter University and Banbury. Over the season Exeter University had the better playing record and hosted the match at Topsham Sports Ground, winning 41 – 32. This was the 18th play-off match and the first for each of the teams; it was the 12th win for the home team and south-west teams have also won the match on 12 occasions. Banbury's total of 32 points was the most by a losing team and also the most by an away team.
