Regional 2 Midlands East is an English level 6 rugby union regional league for rugby clubs in the eastern region of the Midlands, including sides from Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and occasionally Bedfordshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Staffordshire and Worcestershire. When this division began in 1987 it was known as Midlands 2 East, and has been restructured several times, most notably as a single division known as Midlands 2 between 1992 and 2000, and Midlands 1 East before regionalising again to its present format with the new name of Regional 2 Midlands East as part of England Rugby's Future Competition Structure change at the start of the 2022-23 season. The champions are promoted to Regional 1 Midlands (formerly Midlands Premier) and the runner-up plays against the second-placed team from Midlands 1 West for the second promotion place. The last three teams are relegated teams to either Midlands 2 East (North) or Midlands 2 East (South), depending on geographic location.

2024–25

Departing were Nuneaton, promoted to Regional 1 Midlands whilst Newbold on Avon and Towcestrians were relegated. Joining were Broadstreet, relegated from Regional 1 Midlands together with Daventry and Market Bosworth both promoted from Counties 1 Midlands East (South).

2023–24

Departing were Old Northamptonians, promoted to Regional 1 South East whilst Peterborough Lions and Old Laurentians were relegated. Leighton Buzzard, 10th the previous season, went on a level transfer to Regional 2 Thames. Joining were Nuneaton, relegated from Regional 1 Midlands, Oadby Wyggestonians and Leicester Forest both on a level transfer from Regional 2 Midlands North and Wellingborough promoted from Counties 1 Midlands East (South).

2022–23

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review with the league rebranded as Regional 2 Midlands East.

Final league table

Teams 2021–22

The teams competing in 2021-22 achieved their places in the league based on performances in 2019-20, the 'previous season' column in the table below refers to that season not 2020-21.

2020–21

On 30 October 2020 the RFU announced that due to the coronavirus pandemic a decision had been taken to cancel Adult Competitive Leagues (National League 1 and below) for the 2020/21 season meaning Midlands 1 East was not contested.

Teams 2019–20

Teams 2018–19

Teams 2017–18

2016-17

2015–16

2014–15

2013–14

2012–13

2011–12

2010–11

2009–10

2008–09

Ampthill promoted as champions to newly formed National Division 3 Midlands.

Original teams

When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Midlands 2 East) contained the following teams:

Midland 1 East honours

Midlands 2 East (1987–1992)

The original Midlands 2 East (along with its counterpart Midlands 2 West) was a tier 6 league with promotion up to Midlands Premier and relegation down to either East Midlands/Leicestershire or Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 1.

Midlands 2 (1992–1993)

Restructuring of the Midlands leagues ahead of the 1992–93 season saw Midlands 2 East and Midlands 2 West combined in a single tier 6 division known as Midlands 2. Promotion continued to Midlands 1 while relegation as now was now to the newly introduced Midlands East 1.

Midlands 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 dropped to become a tier 7 league. Promotion and relegation continued to Midlands Premier and Midlands East 1.

Midlands 2 (1996–2000)

At the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 North was discontinued and Midlands 2 returned to being a tier 6 league. Promotion and relegation continued to Midlands Premier and Midlands East 1.

Midlands 2 East (2000–2009)

Restructuring ahead of the 2000–01 season saw Midlands 2 split back into two tier 6 regional leagues - Midlands 2 East and Midlands 2 West. Promotion continued to Midlands 1 while relegation was now to either Midlands 3 East (North) or Midlands 3 East (South) (both formerly part of Midlands East 1).

Midlands 1 East (2009–present)

League restructuring by the RFU meant that Midlands 2 East and Midlands 2 West were renamed as Midlands 1 East and Midlands 1 West, with both leagues remaining at tier 6. Promotion was now to National League 3 Midlands (formerly Midlands 1) and relegation to either Midlands 2 East (North) or Midlands 2 East (South).

Promotion play-offs

Since the 2000–01 season there has been a play-off between the runners-up of Midlands 1 East and Midlands 1 West for the third and final promotion place to National League 3 Midlands. The team with the superior league record has home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2019–20 season the Midlands 1 East teams have been the most successful with eleven wins to the Midlands 1 West teams eight; and the home team has won promotion on thirteen occasions compared to the away teams six.

Number of league titles