The 2009–10 National League 2 South was the first season (23rd overall) of the fourth tier (south) of the English domestic rugby union competitions since the professionalised format of the second division was introduced. Previously known as National Division 3 South, it had been renamed due to widespread changes to the league system by the RFU with National One becoming the Championship, National 2 becoming National 1 and so on. The league system was 4 points for a win, 2 points for a draw and additional bonus points being awarded for scoring 4 or more tries and/or losing within 7 points of the victorious team. In terms of promotion the league champions would go straight up into National League 1 while the runners up would have a one-game playoff against the runners up from National League 2 North (at the home ground of the club with the superior league record) for the final promotion place. A further change to the league system would see the division increase from 14 to 15 teams (this was originally supposed to be 16 teams but one of the teams relegated from the 2008-09 National Division 2, Mounts Bay, folded at the beginning of the season).
Barking would finish as champions with only two league defeats all season, while runners up Rosslyn Park would join them in the 2010–11 National League 1 by defeating 2009–10 National League 2 North runners up Loughborough Students in the National 2 promotion playoff. At the bottom of the table Bridgwater & Albion and newly promoted Barnes would be condemned to National League 3 South West and National League 3 London & SE respectively.
Participating teams
Eleven of the teams listed below participated in the 2008-09 National League 3 South season; Westcombe Park were relegated from the 2008-09 National Division 2, while Clifton were promoted as champions of South West Division 1 with Shelford (champions) and Barnes (playoffs) coming up from London Division 1.
League table
Notes:
Results
Round 1
Bye: Ealing Trailfinders
Round 2
Bye: Bridgwater & Albion
Round 3
Bye: Rosslyn Park
Round 4
Bye: Henley Hawks
Round 5
Bye: Worthing Raiders
Round 6
Bye: Southend
Round 7
Bye: Westcombe Park
Round 8
Bye: Clifton
Round 9
Bye: Barnes
Round 10
Bye: Shelford
Round 11
Bye: Richmond
Round 12
Bye: Lydney
Round 13
Bye: Barking
Round 14
Bye: Canterbury
Round 15
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 6 February 2010.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 6 February 2010.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 6 February 2010.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 6 February 2010.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 6 February 2010.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 6 February 2010.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 6 February 2010. Bye: Dings Crusaders
Round 16
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 20 March 2010.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 20 March 2010.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 20 March 2010. Bye: Bridgwater & Albion
Round 17
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 1 May 2010.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 1 May 2010.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 1 May 2010.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 1 May 2010.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 20 March 2010.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 20 March 2010.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 1 May 2010. Bye: Rosslyn Park
Round 18
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 20 March 2010.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 19 March 2010. Bye: Henley Hawks
Round 19
Bye: Worthing Raiders
Round 20
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 8 May 2010. Bye: Southend
Round 15 (Rescheduled games)
Rescheduled from 19 December 2009.
Rescheduled from 19 December 2009.
Rescheduled from 19 December 2009.
Rescheduled from 19 December 2009.
Rescheduled from 19 December 2009.
Rescheduled from 19 December 2009.
Rescheduled from 19 December 2009.
Round 21
Postponed. Game rescheduled for 1 May 2010. Bye: Westcombe Park
Round 22
Bye: Clifton
Round 23
Bye: Barnes
Round 24
Bye: Shelford
Round 25
Bye: Richmond
Round 17 (Rescheduled game)
Rescheduled from 16 January 2010 and eventually cancelled altogether due to fixture congestion meaning both Westcombe Park and Shelford would only play 29 games each.
Rounds 16, 17 & 18 (Rescheduled games)
Game rescheduled from 2 January 2010.
Game rescheduled from 16 January 2010.