The 2023–24 National League 2 West is the second season of the
fourth-tier (west) of the English domestic
rugby union competitions; one of three at this level. The others are
National League 2 East
National League 2 East is a new rugby union league at level four in the English rugby union system and provides semi-professional competition for teams in London, South East England and East of England. The remainder of England is covered b ...
and
National League 2 North
National League 2 North is one of three, level four leagues in the English rugby union system and provides semi-professional competition for teams in the northern half of England, the North. The remainder of England is covered by the two counte ...
. The champions are promoted to
National League 1 and the bottom two teams are relegated to either
Regional 1 Midlands or
Regional 1 South West
Regional 1 South West (formerly South West Premier and National League 3 South West) is a level five league in the English rugby union system. It is one of six leagues at this level. When this division began in 1987 it was known as South West D ...
, depending on their location.
Dings Crusaders were crowned champions on 13 April 2024 with a game still left to play, following their resounding win over
Redruth
Redruth ( , kw, Resrudh) is a town and civil parishes in Cornwall, civil parish in Cornwall, England. The population of Redruth was 14,018 at the 2011 census. In the same year the population of the Camborne-Redruth urban area, which also inc ...
. Runners up
Luctonians
Luctonians Sports Club is an English sports club based in Kingsland, Herefordshire. The rugby union team currently plays in National League 2 West, the fourth tier of the English rugby union system, following their promotion from the Midlands ...
had set the pace for much of the season but a defeat against Dings at home on 24 February 2024 would see a turn in fortunes, and in the end Dings would finish 7 points clear.
On 13 April 2024 both
Dudley Kingswinford and
Newport (Salop) were relegated, as it was mathematically impossible for either to stay up following their results, even as the best placed 13th placed side in the National 2 leagues (see Structure section below). Despite relegation Newport (Salop) finished the season much stronger and ended 11 points clear of bottom club Dudley Kingswinford, albeit 19 points adrift of 12th
Hornets
Hornets (insects in the genus ''Vespa'') are the largest of the eusocial wasps, and are similar in appearance to their close relatives yellowjackets. Some species can reach up to in length. They are distinguished from other vespine wasps by th ...
. Dudley would drop down to
Regional 1 Midlands - making an instant return to the league they won the previous year, while Newport would be relegated to
Regional 1 North West
Regional 1 North West is a level five league in the English rugby union system, with the twelve teams drawn from across North West England. The other level five leagues are Regional 1 Midlands, Regional 1 North East, Regional 1 South Central, R ...
- returning to level 5 after an absence of two seasons.
Structure
The league consists of fourteen teams who play the others on a home and away basis, to make a total of 26 matches each. The champions are promoted to
National League 1 and typically the bottom two teams are relegated to either
Regional 1 Midlands or
Regional 1 South West
Regional 1 South West (formerly South West Premier and National League 3 South West) is a level five league in the English rugby union system. It is one of six leagues at this level. When this division began in 1987 it was known as South West D ...
depending on the location of the teams.
Due to the liquidation of RFU Championship side
Jersey Reds in September 2023 and the knock on effect on the league system, the best placed 13th placed side in the three National 2 leagues (National League 2 North, National League 2 East, National 2 West) will be saved from relegation. See
Relegation (13th placed teams).
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.
Participating teams and locations
League table
Relegation (13th placed teams)
Fixtures & results
Fixtures for the season were published by the RFU on 12 June, 2023.
Round 1
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Round 2
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Round 3
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Round 4
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Round 5
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Round 6
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Round 7
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Round 8
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Round 9
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Round 10
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Round 11
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Round 12
*Postponed due to poor weather. Game to be rescheduled for 6th January 2024.
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Round 13
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Round 14
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Round 12 (rescheduled game)
*Game rescheduled from 2 December 2023.
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Round 15
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Round 16
*Postponed due to frozen pitch. Game to be rescheduled for 3 February 2024.
*Postponed due to frozen pitch. Game to be rescheduled for 3 February 2024.
*Postponed due to frozen pitch. Game to be rescheduled for 3 February 2024.
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Round 17
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Round 16 (rescheduled games)
*Game rescheduled from 20 January 2024.
*Game rescheduled from 20 January 2024.
*Game rescheduled from 20 January 2024.
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Round 18
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Round 19
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Round 20
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Round 21
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Round 22
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Round 23
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Round 24
*Postponed as Dudley Kingswinford were unable to raise a side. Game to be rescheduled for 20 April 2024.
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Round 25
*Newport (Salop) are relegated.
*Dudley Kingswinford are relegated.
*Dings Crusaders are champions.
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Round 24 (rescheduled game)
*Game rescheduled from 6 April 2024.
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Round 26
Attendances
Individual statistics
Top points scorers
Top try scorers
Notes
See also
*
2023–24 National League 1
*
2023–24 National League 2 North
*
2023–24 National League 2 East
References
External links
NCA Rugby
{{DEFAULTSORT:National2
National League 2 West
4W