For clubs like Risca, who play in Division 2 East, it will be a very special season as they mark their 150th anniversary campaign. For teams like Bala Athletic in Division 3 North West it will be a first incursion into the National League system after the introduction of more 2nd XV sides.
There will be action in 18 of the 30 leagues on the opening weekend as the WRU stages a staggered start to the campaign. The Welsh Women’s Leagues kick-off on Sunday, 15 September with 36 clubs involved in 18 fixtures across six different leagues.
“The start of any new season is exciting, and I want to pass on the best wishes and gratitude of everyone at the Welsh Rugby Union for the huge efforts put in by every club in the country over the summer to get ready for another great adventure,” said WRU CEO Abi Tierney
“Players, coaches, referees, administrators and fans alike will be getting back into the rugby groove over the weekend and looking forward to almost nine months of action. There will be champions at the end of the season, in both the leagues and cup competitions, but in our eyes everyone who takes part in Welsh rugby is a winner.
“The Admiral National Leagues are the lifeblood of our game. These clubs have been at the heart of their communities for generations and continue to be the breeding ground for our current and future professional players.
“There will no doubt be some tired bodies on Sunday morning but also some great stories. The contribution of each and every player, coach and club is vital to the on-going success of Welsh rugby and I thank them all for that.”
While 10 clubs from the Community Rugby section last season have joined the professional ranks to form Super Rygbi Cymru, there will still be plenty of top-quality action across the 149 matches that will be played most weekends in the new season
The new season kicks off on Saturday, 7 September and is due to be completed on 26 April 2025. There will be plenty of local derbies in the opening round and the big game on the first day of action in the new Admiral Premiership will see Neath and Merthyr clash at The Gnoll.
The third club from last season’s Indigo Premiership ranks, Pontypridd, have a bye, while the Championship East winners, Bargoed, will host newly promoted Llangennech. In the Championship East, Penallta host Bedwas and Glamorgan Wanderers entertain St Peter’s in two big local derbies.
Llanelli Wanderers, who won both the Division 1 West title and the Division 1 Cup, meet Gowerton on their debut in the Championship West division. The team they beat to win the cup at Principality Stadium, Glynneath, went on to win Division 1 West Central – they kick-off at home against Tata Steel.
ADMIRAL NATIONAL DIVISIONS (39 teams – 3 leagues)
Premiership (13 teams)
Bargoed, Bonymaen, Brecon, Cardiff Met, Cross Keys, Llangennech, Merthyr, Narberth, Neath, Newbridge, Newcastle Emlyn, Pontypridd, Ystrad Rhondda
Championship East (13 teams)
Aberdare, Beddau, Bedwas, Brynmawr, Cambrian Welfare, Glamorgan Wanderers, Mountain Ash, Penallta, Rumney, St Peter’s, Talywain, Treorchy, Ynysddu
Championship West (13 teams)
Ammanford, Clwb Rygbi, Crymych, Dunvant, Glynneath, Gorseinon, Gowerton, Kenfig Hill, Llanelli Wanderers, Maesteg Harlequins, Tata Steel, Tondu, Trebanos, Ystalyfera
ADMIRAL EAST DIVISION (63 teams – 7 leagues)
1 East (10 teams)
Abergavenny, Abertillery Blaenau Gwent, Bedlinog, Blaenavon, Dowlais, Monmouth, Nelson, Newport HSOB, Pontypool United, Senghenydd
2 East (10 teams)
Abercarn, Blackwood, Blaina, Caldicot, Croesyceiliog, Cwmbran, Garndiffaith, Pill Harriers, Risca, Usk
3 East (10 teams)
Abertysswg Falcons, Caerleon, Chepstow, Fleur de Lys, Machen, Nantyglo, New Panteg, Newport Saracens , Oakdale, Rhymney
4 East (10 teams)
Bedwellty, Bettws, Crickhowell, Crumlin, Forgeside, Gwernyfed, Llanhilleth, Pontllanfraith, RTB (Ebbw Vale), Whiteheads
5 East (10 teams)
Abersychan Alexanders, Beaufort, Blackwood Stars, Deri, Hafodyrynys, Hartridge, Hollybush, Magor, Tredegar Ironsides, West Mon
6 East A (7 teams)
Brynithel, Cwmcarn United, Girling, New Tredegar, Old Tyleryan, Trefil, Trinant
6 East B (6 teams)
Cardiff Internationals, Glyncoch, Llanrumney, St Julian’s HSOB, Sully Sports, Whitchurch
ADMIRAL EAST CENTRAL (56 teams – 6 leagues)
1 East Central (10 teams)
Abercwmboi, Abercynon, Barry, Llanharan, Llanishen, Penarth, Porth Harlequins, Rhiwbina, Rhydyfelin, St Joseph’s
2 East Central (10 teams)
Caerphilly, Cardiff Quins, Cilfynydd, Cowbridge, Gilfach Goch, Llantwit Fardre, Pentyrch, St Albans, Taffs Well, Ynysybwl
3 East Central (10 teams)
Canton, Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd, Fairwater, Llandaff, Llantrisant, Llantwit Major, Penygraig, Tonyrefail, Treharris, Wattstown
4 East Central (10 teams)
Brackla, Cardiff Saracens, Dinas Powys, Ferndale, Llandaff North, Old Illtydians, Pontyclun, Treherbert, Tylorstown, Ynysowen
5 East Central (8 teams)
Caerau Ely, Cefn Coed, Hirwaun, Llandrindod Wells, Ogmore Vale, Old Penarthians, Pontycymer, Tref-Y-Clawdd
6 East Central (8 teams)
Bargoed Athletic, Bridgend Athletic 2nd XV, Brecon Athletic, Cardiff Met Athletic, Penallta Athletic, Rumney Athletic, St Peter’s Athletic, Tondu Athletic
ADMIRAL WEST CENTRAL (50 teams – 5 leagues)
1 West Central (10 teams)
Aberavon Green Stars, Birchgrove, Bridgend Athletic, Builth Wells, Morriston, Nantyffyllon, Skewen, Swansea Uplands, Vardre, Ystradgynlais
2 West Central (10 teams)
Aberavon Harlequins, Abercrave, Brynamman, Bryncethin, Heol y Cyw, Maesteg Celtic, Pencoed, Porthcawl, Pyle, Resolven
3 West Central (10 teams)
Baglan, Bridgend Sports Club, Bryncoch, Cefn Cribbwr, Cwmavon, Nantymoel, Neath Athletic, South Gower, Tonmawr, Tonna
4 West Central (10 teams)
Alltwen, Briton Ferry, Crynant, Cwmgors, Glais, Maesteg, Pontardawe, Pontrhydyfen, Rhigos, Seven Sisters
5 West Central (10 teams)
Banwen, Bonymaen Athletic, Cwmgwrach, Cwmllynfell, Cwmtwrch, Dunvant Athletic, Glyncorrwg, Penlan, Taibach
ADMIRAL WEST DIVISIONS (49 teams – 5 leagues)
1 West (10 teams)
Aberystwyth, Burry Port, Felinfoel, Kidwelly, Penclawdd, Pontarddulais, St Clears, Tenby United, Waunarlwydd, Hendy,
2 West (10 teams)
Betws, Carmarthen Athletic, Fishguard & Goodwick, Lampeter Town, Laugharne, Loughor, Milford Haven, Mumbles, Nantgaredig, Whitland
3 West (10 teams)
Aberaeron, Amman United, Cardigan, Cefneithin, Haverfordwest, Llandeilo, Llangadog, Pontyberem, Tumble, Tycroes
4 West A (9 teams)
Crymych Athletic, Llangwm, Llanybydder, Narberth Athletic, Newcastle Emlyn Athletic, Neyland, Pembroke Dock Harlequins, Pembroke, St David’s
4 West B (10 teams)
Bynea, Fall Bay, Furnace United, Llandybie, New Dock Stars, Pantyffynon, Penybanc, Pontyates, Tregaron, Trimsaran
ADMIRAL NORTH DIVISIONS (41 teams – 4 leagues)
1 North (12 teams)
Bala, Bethesda, Caernarfon, COBRA, Denbigh, Llandudno, Mold, Nant Conwy, Pwllheli, Ruthin, Wrexham, Llangefni
2 North (10 teams)
Abergele, Caernarfon Athletic, Colwyn Bay, Dolgellau, Machynlleth, Nant Conwy Athletic, Newtown, Rhyl & District, Shotton Steel, Welshpool,
3 North East (10 teams)
Bro Gwernant, COBRA Athletic, Denbigh Athletic, Flint, Llanidloes, Mold Athletic, Rhosllanerchrugog, Rhyl Athletic, Ruthin Athletic, Wrexham Athletic
3 North West (9 teams)
Bala Athletic, Bangor, Bro Ffestiniog, Bethesda Athletic, Colwyn Bay Athletic, Llangefni Athletic, Menai Bridge, Porthmadog, Pwllheli Athletic
