2XV Teams in National Leauge

FR I have not seen anything that suggests you cannot play players registered at your club in both the 1st and 2nd teams if they are in different leagues, irrespective of the distance between those two leagues. This is how it is done in the constituent bodies who already allow 2nd and 3rd teams in the RFU leagues

Ok, so the question is, under the new directive from the RFU, is the decision a 'regional' decision to allow free movement of players between their First and Second XV irrespective of which level they are playing at ?

The Registration issue isn't going to be an issue from what I've been told.

In the NW there is a good structured league system for 2nd XV and below , with a few 1st XV sides included. The main problem with the Premier league in these leagues is that apart from the  the top 4 or 5 clubs, there is no real competition with many results of over 50 points and a number of walk overs leaving the top clubs finding it difficult to get any real competition.  However there are a number of issues Outside these leagues, firstly many of the clubs at level 7 and below, within the RFU structure, in Lancashire withdrew from the RFU leagues because of the travelling distances especially to Cumbria, and they will not return if 2nd XV teams are admitted into the RFU leagues. This has currently left the remaining clubs at level 7 travelling to Huckleberryermouth and Keswick for example. One of their arguments against admitting 2nd XV sides is that these clubs will be a draw for aspiring players, to clubs who may pay players as 2nd XV level? 

My understanding is that this is merely an option that individual clubs can apply for. As is the general feeling on this thread it is doubtful that Level 3 & 4 clubs will see any benefit but I suspect there will be a much greater take-up by those at Levels 5 and 6 

I may be wrong but I didn't think it was a "Everybody IN or Everybody OUT" decision that needed to be made - thought every club could apply if they thought it suited their own particular situation? My own club has applied even though our CB (North Mids) voted against the proposal. We have a situation where our 2nd XV is deemed" too strong" with opponents crying off almost every week for fear of getting a good hiding. Fair enough they conceded the league points but this doesn't get the lads playing as alternate "friendly" fixtures are difficult to arrange at short notice with other clubs already committed on a designated League Saturday. Admittedly we could still get opponents crying off if we go in at Level 8 or 9 but less likely I would say if we are up against 1st XV 's. We also had a situation where over a full season our 2nd XV were actually racking up more miles for away fixtures than our semi-pro 1st XV which is crazy. 180 mile round trip to play Banbury 2nds or 20 Mile round trip to play Shrewsbury or Telford 1sts - surely it's a no brainer and precisely why we hope our application is accepted

Looking at The Rugby Paper results, the leagues in South West do have 2nd and 3rd teams in some, but there does appear to be quite a few walkovers for home teams, but that could be down to Covid. 

Scrumtime wrote: Half the sides in National 1 do not run a 2nd xv. Some do only at the start of the season when they require "squad" players game time. Most don't from mid Oct onwards For those that do, they play in Zoo 1, which is classified as level 5, according the referee appointments. I would suggest, its totally pointless any side at National 1 or National 2 level plying a 2nd xv at level 7. The jump between the 1st xv and 2nd xv will be too big. It's yet another poorly thought out fix from the RFU.

tigerburnie wrote: Leicester Lions 3rds are in the Leicestershire local Merit league, the 2nds are in the Raging Bull league, not sure if there are any plans to get involved in any others.