Midlands 3 West (South)

Counties 2 Midlands West (East) (formerly Midlands 3 West (South)) is a level 8 English Rugby Union league and level 3 of the Midlands League, made up of teams from the southern part of the West Midlands region including clubs from parts of Birmingham and the West Midlands, Herefordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and sometimes Oxfordshire, with home and away matches played throughout the season. When this division began in 1992 it was known as Midlands West 2, until it was split into two regional divisions called Midlands 4 West (North) and Midlands 4 West (South) ahead of the 2000–01 season. Further restructuring of the Midlands leagues ahead of the 2009–10 season, led to it to adopt the name Midlands 3 West (South). Further restructuring followed in the wake of the RFU's Adult Competition Review, from season 2022-23 it was known, briefly as Counties 2 Midlands West (South), before the league was split East/West giving rise to its current name. Promoted teams tend to move up to Counties 2 Midlands West (South) or Counties 2 Midlands West (North) depending on location. Relegated teams typically drop to Counties 3 Midlands West (South) or Counties 3 Midlands West (East) or occasionally to Counties 3 Midlands West (North). Each year all clubs in the division also take part in the RFU Senior Vase - a level 8 national competition.

2024-25

Departing were Barkers Butts promoted to Counties 1 Midlands West (South) and Veseyans promoted to Counties 1 Midlands West (North). Uttoxeter and Woodrush were relegated. Walsall II (8th) moved on a level transfer to Counties 2 Midlands West (West) Joining were Aston Old Edwardians, Broadstreet 2XV, Earlsdon, Harbury and Stoke Old Boys. In November 2024 Coventrians (3rd in 2023-24) withdrew from the league stating "decision was taken to protect the safety and well being of our players following a significant loss of playing personnel for various reasons including injury and retirement." The league will therefore be completed with eleven sides.

Participating teams & locations

2023-24

The league name changed from Counties 2 Midlands West (South) to Counties 2 Midlands West (East) with a corresponding adjustment in the make up of the competing sides. Departing were Alcester and Manor Park, both promoted to Counties 1 Midlands West (South); Pinley (12th) and Kenilworth II (11th) were both relegated to Counties 3 Midlands West (South); Rugby St Andrews (10th) were relegated to Counties 3 Midlands East (South); Burbage (9th) withdrew from league competition. Also leaving, but on a level transfer, were Bromyard (6th) and Tenbury (4th) to Counties 2 Midlands West (West). Joining were Barkers Butts, Birmingham & Solihull, Coalville, Coventry Welsh, Old Coventrians, Uttoxeter, Veseyans and Walsall II.

Participating teams & locations

2022-23

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review with the league adopting its new name of Counties 2 Midlands West (South). Departing were Ledbury, Old Leamingtonians and Coventry Welsh all promoted to Counties 2 Midlands West (South). Stoke Old Boys were relegated. Joining were Claverdon, Old Wheatleyans, Pinley and Kenilworth II.

Participating teams & locations

2021–22

Participating teams & locations

2020–21

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020–21 season was cancelled.

2019–20

Participating teams & locations

2018–19

Participating teams & locations

2017–18

Participating teams & locations

Teams 2016-17

Teams 2015-16

Teams 2014-15

Teams 2013–14

Teams 2012–13

Teams 2009–10

Teams 2008–09

Original teams

Teams in Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West (South) were originally part of a single division called Midlands 2 West, which contained the following sides when it was introduced in 1992:

Midlands 3 West (South) honours

Midlands West 2 (1992–1993)

Midlands 3 West (North) and Midlands 3 West (South) were originally part of a single tier 8 division called Midlands West 2. Promotion was to Midlands West 1 and relegation was to either North Midlands 1 or Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1.

Midlands West 2 (1993–1996)

The top six teams from Midlands 1 and the top six from North 1 were combined to create National 5 North, meaning that Midlands 2 West dropped to become a tier 9 league. Promotion continued to Midlands West 1 while relegation was to either North Midlands 1 or Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1.

Midlands West 2 (1996–2000)

At the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 North was discontinued and Midlands West 2 returned to being a tier 8 league. Promotion continued to Midlands West 1 while relegation was to either North Midlands 1 or Staffordshire/Warwickshire 1.

Midlands 4 West (South) (2000–2004)

Restructuring ahead of the 2000–01 season saw Midlands West 2 split into two tier 8 regional leagues - Midlands 4 West (North) and Midlands 4 West (South). Promotion was now to Midlands 3 West (South) and relegation to either North Midlands 1 or Warwickshire 1.

Midlands 4 West (South) (2004–2006)

At the start of the 2004–05 season Midlands 4 West (South) remained at tier 8 of the league system, with promotion continuing to Midlands 3 West (South). However, the restructuring of the leagues below meant that relegation was now to either North Midlands (South) 1 or Warwickshire 1.

Midlands 4 West (South) (2006–2009)

At the start of the 2006–07 season Midlands 4 West (South) remained at tier 8 of the league system, with promotion continuing to Midlands 3 West (South). The cancellation of Warwickshire 1 league meant that relegation was now to the newly introduced Midlands 5 West (South).