Whilst we await official confirmation from the RFU that yesterday's results in National 1 mean we will stay in the Northern league next season, we are able to confirm the position concerning our 2nd team.

As many of you will be aware, we have spent some 6/7 years pursuing the possibility of our 2nds playing within the RFU League structure. Our sole motivation for this was (is) to provide regular, competitive rugby for the 2nd XV squad.

Having successfully jumped the numerous hurdles that were put in our way throughout this process, we were finally able to submit our formal application to the RFU only a few weeks ago.

The good news is the application was successful, meaning we were given the green light to join RFU Level 7 next season.

However, due to the league restructure programme and the defection of many clubs in the north west to the Lancashire County/ADM League, there will not be a Level 7 in this area next season. Therefore despite the application being successful, there won't be a RFU league at the appropriate level for us to play in, and as a result we will compete in the NOWIRUL Premier again next season.

Please see the email from Paul O'Leary of the RFU for confirmation of the Level 7 status.

We will now let the dust settle before we review our position once more, however please be assured that this club's policy is to provide as regular and competitive rugby for our 2nds (and indeed our 3rds and Devas) as is possible.

From: Paul O'Leary
Date: 28 April 2022 at 20:47:13 BST
To: honsecretary@chester-rufc.com
Subject: ECC Level 7 League

Hi Steve,

Further to discussions we have been having over the past few weeks I am sorry to say there would not be a satisfactory playing offer at Level 7.

However, I would like to thank you for the positive attitude you have always brought to conversations we have had.

Kind regards and good luck for next season

Paul