The 2010–11 Principality Premiership is the sixteenth Principality Premiership season and the seventh under its current format. The season began in August 2010 and ended in May 2011. Fourteen teams played against each other on a home and away basis, with the standard bonus point system determining placement—4 points for a win, 2 for a draw, and separate bonus points for scoring four or more tries in a match and losing by seven points or less.
British and Irish Cup Qualification
In 2009-10 the top six clubs from the 2008-09 season qualified for the new British and Irish Cup competition. A play-off system was added at the end of the season for the top eight sides to qualify for the following season's British and Irish Cup. Only six teams can qualify for this from the eight. These play-offs do not decide the League Championship, as the league leaders at the end of the regular 26 game season will be Champions.
Play-off News
At the start of the 2010-11 season it was announced that the Welsh Premiership title would be settled by a play-off at a neutral ground. At the end of the season, play-offs will involve the second and third placed teams meeting at a neutral venue, with the winners facing the team who finished top after the regular season in the final. Two-other play-off issues are also set to feature at the end of the campaign. The top five teams in the league will win automatic entry into the following season's British and Irish Cup with the sixth and final place decided by a play-off. This will see the teams finishing in 7th and 8th position meeting for the right to play the sixth-placed club.
Promotion from Division 1 is also being revamped from the 2010-11 season with play-offs taking place for this too. The bottom-placed team in the Welsh Premiership will be grouped with the respective division winners in Division 1 East, North and West - provided they meet the Premiership criteria. A draw involving the 14th placed club in the Principality Premiership, winners of SWALEC Division One East and West (those clubs have all passed the Premiership criteria) will be made to determine which clubs play each other in play-off one, the winner of which will play the third team in the play-off final).
The fourteen teams competing consisted of Aberavon RFC, Bedwas RFC, Cardiff RFC, Carmarthen Quins, Cross Keys RFC, Glamorgan Wanderers RFC, Llandovery RFC, Llanelli RFC, Neath RFC, Newport RFC, Pontypool RFC, Pontypridd RFC, Swansea RFC, Tonmawr RFC
Teams
Stadiums TeamStadiumCapacityCity/AreaAberavon RFCTalbot Athletic Ground3,000Port Talbot, Neath Port TalbotBedwasThe Bridge Field3,000Bedwas, CaerphillyCardiff RFCThe Arms Park12,500CardiffCarmarthen QuinsCarmarthen Park3,000Carmarthen, CarmarthenshireCross Keys RFCPandy Park3,000Crosskeys, CaerphillyGlamorgan Wanderers RFCMemorial Ground3,000Ely, CardiffLlandovery RFCChurch Bank Playing Fields5,000Llandovery, CarmarthenshireLlanelli RFCParc y Scarlets14,870Llanelli, CarmarthenshireNeath RFCThe Gnoll7,500Neath, Neath Port TalbotNewport RFCRodney Parade10,500NewportPontypool RFCPontypool Park8,800Pontypool, TorfaenPontypridd RFCSardis Road7,861Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon TafSwansea RFCSt Helens4,500SwanseaTonmawr RFCWhitworth Ground3,000Tonmawr, Neath Port Talbot
Table KEY Champions Qualified for play-offs Relegated
TeamPldWDLPFPAPDTFTATry bonusLosing bonusPoints1Pontypridd RFC26231276738238592401121072Neath RFC26210573342630784381241003Llanelli RFC26190786948638310160114914Aberavon RFC2617098046331719063114835Swansea RFC26121137614709110181156726Cross Keys RFC261311263554392625668687Newport RFC2614111620657-37717762668Tonmawr RFC2612212614651-37656385659Cardiff RFC2610214611613-26560785910Bedwas RFC2611015532665-1335277465411Carmarthen Quins RFC269017518710-1925579434312Pontypool RFC267118584718-1345778353813Llandovery RFC266119511734-2235788473714Glamorgan Wanderers RFC2630234891067-578551465421Correct as of 2011-05-07
Fixtures & results
Week 1 Date Time Home team Score Away team Venue 28 August 14:30 Cardiff RFC (1 BP) 61 - 18 Carmarthen Quins RFC Cardiff Arms Park 28 August 14:30 Glamorgan Wanderers RFC 3 - 52 Neath RFC (1 BP) Memorial Ground 28 August 14:30 Llandovery RFC 16 - 37 Swansea RFC (1 BP) Church Bank Playing Fields 28 August 14:30 Newport RFC (1 BP) 40 - 36 Llanelli RFC (1 BP) Rodney Parade 28 August 14:30 Pontypool RFC 27 - 16 Bedwas RFC Pontypool Park 28 August 14:30 Pontypridd RFC 23 - 15 Cross Keys RFC Sardis Road 28 August 14:30 Tonmawr RFC (1 BP) 18 - 19 Aberavon RFC Whitworth Ground
Week 2 Date Time Home team Score Away team Venue 4 September 14:30 Aberavon RFC 31 - 26 Pontypool RFC (1 BP) Talbot Athletic Ground 4 September 14:30 Bedwas RFC 22 - 21 Neath RFC (1 BP) The Bridge Field 4 September 14:30 Carmarthen Quins RFC 14 - 30 Newport RFC Carmarthen Park 4 September 14:30 Cross Keys RFC (1 BP) 20 - 21 Cardiff RFC Pandy Park 4 September 14:30 Glamorgan RFC 15 - 47 Pontypridd RFC (1 BP) Memorial Ground 4 September 14:30 Llanelli RFC (1 BP) 43 - 10 Llandovery RFC Parc y Scarlets 4 September 14:30 Swansea RFC (1 BP) 34 - 34 Tonmawr RFC (1 BP) St Helens
Week 3 Date Time Home team Score Away team Venue 11 September 14:30Aberavon RFC 25 - 24 Bedwas RFC (1 BP) Talbot Athletic Ground 11 September 14:30 Cardiff RFC (1 BP) 23 - 26 Llanelli RFC Cardiff Arms Park 11 September 14:30 Neath RFC 16 - 9 Cross Keys RFC (1 BP) The Gnoll 11 September 14:30 Newport RFC 20 - 38 Swansea RFC (1 BP) Rodney Parade 11 September 14:30 Pontypool RFC (1 BP) 61 - 29 Glamorgan Wanderers (1 BP) Pontypool Park 11 September 14:30 Pontypridd RFC 20 - 18 Carmarthen Quins RFC (1 BP) Sardis Road 11 September 14:30 Tonmawr RFC (1 BP) 31 - 7 Llandovery RFC Whitworth Ground
Week 4 Date Time Home team Score Away team Venue 18 September 14:30 Aberavon RFC (1 BP) 22-40 Pontypridd RFC (1 BP) Talbot Athletic Ground 18 September 14:30 Bedwas RFC (1 BP) 35-34 Cardiff RFC (2 BP) The Bridge Field 18 September 14:30 Carmarthen Quins RFC 23-34 Swansea RFC (1 BP) Carmarthen Park 18 September 14:30 Cross Keys RFC 23-17 Llandovery RFC (1 BP) Pandy Park 18 September 14:30 Glamorgan Wanderers RFC (1 BP) 31-39 Newport RFC (1 BP) Memorial Ground 18 September 14:30 Llanelli RFC (1 BP) 83-32 Tonmawr RFC (1 BP) Parc y Scarlets 22 September 19:30 Newport RFC (1 BP) 34-10 Carmarthen Quins RFC Rodney Parade 22 September 14:30 Pontypridd RFC (1 BP) 83-8 Glamorgan Wanderers RFC Sardis Road
Week 5 Date Time Home team Score Away team Venue 25 September 14:30 Cardiff RFC (1 BP) 26 - 28 Aberavon RFC Cardiff Arms Park 25 September 14:30 Llandovery RFC (1 BP) 31 - 7 Glamorgan Wanderers RFC Church Bank Playing Fields 25 September 14:30 Llanelli RFC (1 BP) 43 - 10 Carmarthen Quins RFC Parc y Scarlets 25 September 14:30 Newport RFC 17 - 16 Bedwas RFC (1 BP) Rodney Parade 25 September 14:30 Pontypridd RFC 24 - 13 Pontypool RFC Sardis Road 25 September 14:30 Swansea RFC (1 BP) 34 - 28 Cross Keys RFC (2 BP) St Helens 25 September 14:30 Tonmawr RFC (1 BP) 16 - 23 Neath RFC Whitworth Ground
Week 6 Date Time Home team Score Away team Venue 2 October 14:30 Aberavon RFC (1 BP) 41 - 25 Newport RFC Talbot Athletic Ground 2 October 14:30 Bedwas RFC 18 - 15 Llandovery RFC (1 BP) The Bridge Field 2 October 14:30 Carmarthen Quins RFC 29 - 28 Tonmawr RFC (1 BP) Carmarthen Park 2 October 14:30 Cross Keys RFC 27 - 19 Llanelli RFC Pandy Park 2 October 14:30 Glamorgan Wanderers RFC 24 - 49 Swansea RFC (1 BP) Memorial Ground 2 October 14:30 Neath RFC 16 - 13 Pontypridd RFC (1 BP) The Gnoll 2 October 14:30 Pontypool RFC 22 - 17 Cardiff RFC (1 BP) Pontypool Park
Week 7 Date Time Home team Score Away team Venue 9 October 14:30 Carmarthen Quins RFC 16 - 25 Cross Keys RFC Carmarthen Park 9 October 14:30 Glamorgan Wanderers RFC 13 - 23 Llanelli RFC Memorial Ground 9 October 14:30 Llandovery RFC 16 - 34 Aberavon RFC (1 BP) Church Bank Playing Fields 9 October 14:30 Neath RFC (1 BP) 44 - 10 Cardiff RFC The Gnoll 9 October 18:05 Newport RFC 20 - 8 Pontypool RFC Rodney Parade 9 October 14:30 Swansea RFC (1 BP) 48 - 21 Bedwas RFC St Helens 9 October 14:30 Tonmawr RFC 23 - 38 Pontypridd RFC Whitworth Ground
Week 8 Date Time Home team Score Away team Venue 16 October 14:30 Bedwas RFC (1 BP) 36 - 27 Cross Keys RFC (1 BP) The Bridge Field 16 October 14:30 Carmarthen Quins RFC 19 - 29 Pontypool RFC Carmarthen Park 16 October 14:30 Glamorgan Wanderers RFC 19 - 42 Tonmawr RFC (1 BP) Memorial Ground 16 October 14:30 Neath RFC 28 - 21 Aberavon RFC (1 BP) The Gnoll
Week 9 Date Time Home team Score Away team Venue 23 October 14:30 Aberavon RFC 27 - 12 Swansea RFC Talbot Athletic Ground 23 October 14:30 Bedwas RFC 3 - 28 Llanelli RFC (1 BP) The Bridge Field 23 October 14:30 Cross Keys RFC (1 BP) 28 - 33 Tonmawr RFC (1 BP) Pandy Park 23 October 14:30 Glamorgan Wanderers RFC 24 - 10 Carmarthen Quins RFC Memorial Ground 23 October 14:30 Pontypool RFC 26 - 26 Llandovery RFC Pontypool Park 23 October 14:30 Pontypridd RFC 16 - 16 Cardiff RFC Sardis Road 24 October 14:30 Newport RFC 12 - 31 Neath RFC (1 BP) Rodney Parade
Week 10 Date Time Home team Score Away team Venue 30 October 14:30 Carmarthen Quins RFC 17 - 10 Bedwas RFC (1 BP) Carmarthen Park 30 October 14:30 Cross Keys RFC (1 BP) 59 - 20 Glamorgan Wanderers Pandy Park 30 October 14:30 Llandovery RFC 21 - 34 Neath RFC (1 BP) Church Bank Playing Fields 30 October 14:30 Llanelli RFC 28 - 18 Aberavon RFC Parc y Scarlets 30 October 14:30 Newport RFC (1 BP) 18 - 23 Pontypridd RFC Rodney Parade 30 October 14:30 Swansea RFC (1 BP) 41 - 14 Pontypool RFC St Helens 30 October 14:30 Tonmawr RFC 30 - 30 Cardiff RFC Whitworth Ground
Week 11 Date Time Home team Score Away team Venue 2 November 19:15 Neath RFC (1 BP) 33 - 7 Carmarthen Quins The Gnoll 5 November 19:15 Cardiff RFC 15 - 11 Swansea RFC (1 BP) Cardiff Arms Park 5 November 19:30 Pontypridd RFC 19 - 14 Llanelli RFC (1 BP) Sardis Road 5 November 19:30 Tonmawr RFC 9 - 17 Bedwas RFC Whitworth Ground 6 November 11:30 Newport RFC 11 - 21 Llandovery RFC Rodney Parade
Week 12 Date Time Home team Score Away team Venue 9 November 19:15 Aberavon RFC (1 BP) 34 - 14 Llandovery RFC Talbot Athletic Ground 9 November 19:30 Bedwas RFC (1 BP) 29 - 25 Swansea RFC (2 BP) The Bridge Field 9 November 19:15 Cardiff RFC (1 BP) 13 - 20 Neath RFC Cardiff Arms Park 9 November 19:15 Cross Keys RFC (1 BP) 11 - 16 Carmarthen Quins RFC Pandy Park 9 November 19:30 Llanelli RFC (1 BP) 58 - 26 Glamorgan Wanderers RFC (1 BP) Parc y Scarlets 9 November 19:15 Pontypool RFC (1 BP) 15 - 22 Newport RFC Pontypool Park 9 November 19:15 Pontypridd RFC 31 - 8 Tonmawr RFC Sardis Road
Week 13 Date Time Home team Score Away team Venue 13 November 11:00 Swansea RFC (1 BP) 28 - 39 Pontypridd RFC (1 BP) St Helens 13 November 11:30 Llandovery RFC (1 BP) 21 - 24 Cardiff RFC Church Bank Playing Fields 14 November 14:30 Aberavon RFC (1 BP) 56 - 16 Glamorgan Wanderers RFC Talbot Athletic Ground 14 November 14:30 Tonmawr RFC 19 - 12 Newport RFC (1 BP) Whitworth Ground 15 November 19:15 Llanelli RFC 19 - 12 Neath RFC (1 BP) Parc y Scarlets
Week 14 Date Time Home team Score Away team Venue 20 November 14:30 Bedwas RFC 22 - 10 Glamorgan Wanderers RFC The Bridge Field 20 November 14:30 Cardiff RFC 25 - 34 Cross Keys RFC (1 BP) Cardiff Arms Park 20 November 14:30 Neath RFC 26 - 25 Llandovery RFC (1 BP) The Gnoll 20 November 14:30 Pontypool RFC 15 - 38 Swansea (1 BP) Pontypool Park 20 November 14:30 Pontypridd RFC (1 BP) 28 - 15 Newport RFC Sardis Road 20 November 14:30 Tonmawr RFC 24 - 12 Carmarthen Quins RFC Whitworth Ground
Week 15 All games postponed due to the weather.
Week 16 Date Time Home team Score Away team Venue 4 December 14:30 Llanelli RFC 32 - 16 Cardiff RFC Parc y Scarlets
Week 17 Date Time Home team Score Away team Venue 11 December 14:30 Aberavon RFC 18 - 29 Tonmawr RFC Talbot Athletic Ground
Week 18 All games postponed due to the weather.
Week 19