This should mean that instead of clubs having to arrange non-league fixtures there will be a league system for a Second XV, but they could not be promoted above level 7..... so I'm lead to believe ?

Assuming you are a National Two Club and you wish to enter a Second XV into the National Leagues at level 7 does this mean that you are unable to use players from the Second XV league side due to the three league difference ( player safety/wefare maybe) ? If this is the case, how does this assist with an up and down cascade system within the club from junior to senior and visa versa ? What therefore is the point of having a Second XV league side wearing the same badge if they can't share their players within the senior club ?

Can anyone shed any light ??

In Eastern Counties if the Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds third teams that currently play at level 8 looking for the promotion spot that is now available.

I suspect level 7 will not be strong enough to be meaningful for most National league second teams.

Sadly all 4 regions have adopted different stances on 2nd XV's entering the league pyramid eg South West - all fine - no restrictions - works well because it reduces travel substantially so understandable. Elsewhere eg Midlands you have to set up 2 separate clubs with a different player base and registration process which means no movement between 1sts and 2nds (which helps absolutely no-one) the exception being if only a gap of 2 leagues players could move between 1sts and 2nds under existing DR regulations

Absolutely barmy!!!

Not sure what the crack is in North and SE?

New proposals make far more sense and should cut down on travel in all areas

I've heard several arguments that seem fair in light of current safety concerns that it may lead to 'walkovers' or mismatches in player ability leading to possible serious injury in-particular with front row 

It certainly won't entice the adm Lancashire Clubs back and thus it highly unlikely you'll have much of a RFU Level below Level 6 when all the "level upping" has been done at the end of this season.

Yorkshire clubs seem confused as to what it will mean as they, like Clubs in the North West have a semi-decent lower XV League system in place already not sure what effect it would have on the North East Clubs.

You can already register all your players you want (higher up the Levels there is a limit) on GMS and assign them to sides within your club 1st Xv, 2nd Xv etc..... any player can be assigned to one or all Teams within your club. Making them eligible to be selected on a EMC whether its 1st XV or lower XV

Counties have opted to give clubs at level 7 the option to allow 2nd XV. I am not sure how that works? Next seasons reshuffle will probably result in level 7 leagues being the bottom league in the RFU set up in the NW which would not benefit any club's 2nd XV especially if there will be no promotion to level 6. 

A nat 2  forward could cause untold physical damage at level 7. 

I can see NO benefit to anyone . 

The old saying that "a team is only as good as its reserves" doesn't seem to register with the RFU.

I have a feeling there is no one solution that would please all the Lancashire clubs.

It sounds like a solution that would work for a club with multiple sides looking for competitive matches for all their teams, would be anathema to a one team club next door.

While half would want a much flatter pyramid, that would annoy several clubs that suddenly find themselves not leaving the county, especially if they then found a second XV in their league.

Even if you could please all the red rose clubs, it could leave the Cumbrian or the Manx clubs without opponents.

And this is probably true in different degrees in every county.

But, it is the CBs - and the Midland DOC - that have been left to sell this mess to the clubs.

Some do only at the start of the season when they require "squad" players game time.

Most don't from mid Oct onwards

Raging Bull 1 and 2 (ex Zoo) are made up of a mixture of Champ / Nat 1 / Nat 2 and Nat 3 clubs.

Raging Bull 1 = level 6

Raging Bull 2 = level 7

I don’t see Surrey going with this as their highest reserve league is a level 8 I believe which includes mostly second teams.

Their 2nd XV have actually been kicked out of the RB now, as they refused to fufill any away games. They seem to struggle in that league, as they lost to a bishop stortford 2nd XV at home - who in turn had taken a 83-17 beating by the Richmond 3rd XV a week before.

The Raging Bull pretty much sums up 2nd XV rugby no week is the same.

Players can range form Levels 2 to 7, with sometimes internationals playing against social players. However it is the best 2nd XV competition operating at the moment.

I don't see why the RFU won't allow 2nd XV's to play higher up the pyramid, at least to Level 6....

Leicester Lions are playing in the Raging Bull league this weekend, so clearly your information is incorrect.