National League 3 South West
| National League 3 South West | |
|---|---|
Current season or competition:: 2016–17 National League 3 South West
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| Sport | Rugby union |
| Instituted | 1987 |
| Number of teams | 14 |
| Country |
 England
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| Holders |
Old Redcliffians (2016–17 (promoted to National League 2 South) |
| Most titles | Reading (3 titles) |
| Website | England Rugby - South West Division |
National League 3 South West (formerly the South West Division One) is a level five league in the English rugby union system. It is one of four leagues at this level, alongside National League 3 London & SE, National League 3 Midlands and National League 3 North. The format of the league was changed at the beginning of the 2009–10 season following reorganisation by the Rugby Football Union.
National League 3 South West is the highest regional rugby union league covering South West England and part of South East England. The club finishing in first place is automatically promoted to National League 2 South. The runner-up play the second placed team of National League 3 London & SE, with the winner also gaining promotion. Relegated teams drop down to either South West 1 East or South West 1 West (occasionally Midlands 1 West) depending on location, and other factors such as the location of relegated and promoted teams in other divisions.
The current champions are Old Redcliffians, who will participate in National League 2 South next season.
The season runs from September to May and comprises twenty-six rounds of matches, with each club playing each of its rivals, home and away. The results of the matches contribute points to the league as follows:
Nine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Launceston who were relegated from National League 2 South, and by two promoted sides: Camborne and Salisbury. Exmouth (champions) and Barnstaple (play-off) were promoted to National League 2 South, while Chippenham were relegated to Tribute South West 1 West, and Old Patesians and Old Centralians to South West 1 East. To address a league imbalance due to only one team coming down from National League 2 South, both Bromsgrove and Bracknell have been level transferred into the league from National League 3 Midlands and National League 3 London & SE respectively, Bromsgrove having finished 9th and Bracknell 11th.
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