The 3. Liga Süd-West () is the third-highest level of Germany's Rugby union league system, organised by the German Rugby Federation. It is set below the 2nd Rugby-Bundesliga South/West, the second tier of rugby in Southern Germany, and above the Rugby-Regionalliga, the fourth tier.
The league covers the federal states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia. However, clubs from the Saarland and Luxembourg are also entitled to play in this league in the future.Süddeutsche Landesverbände bilden 3. Liga Süd/West Rugby-Journal, published: 27 June 2010, accessed: 22 December 2010
History The league was formed after the 2009-10 season, with the purpose of creating a more competitive level of play for the rugby clubs in Southern Germany above the Regionalligas. The suggestion, made by the Rhineland-Palatinate rugby federation in May 2010, was to form a new league, the Oberliga-Süd-West.Rugby-Verband Rheinland-Pfalz schlägt neue Liga vor Rugby-Journal, published: 6 May 2010, accessed: 22 December 2010 On 26 June 2010, the formation of this new league was decided upon in a meeting of the five Southern German rugby federations, and the new league was named 3. Liga Süd/West.
Previously, clubs that were relegated from the 2nd Rugby-Bundesliga South/West dropped straight into one of the five Regionalligas below the league, which, because of the regionalisation of these leagues, were considerably less competitive. Championship-winning clubs in the Regionalliga were often too strong for this level but too weak for the level above. In order to bridge the gap between the second and third tier and increase the standard of play at this level,Die 3. Liga Süd-West lebt und bebt Rugby-Journal, published: 11 October 2010, accessed: 22 December 2010 the new league was formed. Northern Germany, below the 2nd Rugby-Bundesliga North/East, formed no such league and the three Regionalligas there remain as the third tier of play.
The new league was formed from nine clubs. One was the RC Mainz, which was relegated from the 2nd Bundesliga at the end of the 2009-10 season, while, of the other eight, one came from the Regionalliga Bavaria, two from Hesse, one from Rhineland-Palatinate, one from Baden-Württemberg and three from North Rhine-Westphalia. The two top teams in the league will be promoted to the 2nd Rugby-Bundesliga South/West at the end of the 2010-11 season.
For the 2011-12 season, the league was scheduled to be expanded to at least twelve teams in two regional divisions, but started play with eleven clubs instead. After the first round, the reserve team of RG Heidelberg joined the competition, thereby equaling both divisions in the number of clubs to six.RG Heidelberg II startet in der 3. Liga Süd-West totlarugby.de, published: 1 September 2011, accessed: 3 September 2011
In 2012-13 the league once more started out with eleven teams but two of those were removed from competition after missing fixtures, Grashof RC Essen and SC Neuenheim II.3. Liga: SCN II und Essen fliegen raus totlarugby.de, published: 18 April 2013, accessed: 26 May 2013
The 2013–14 season was played with ten teams in two divisions of five but RG Heidelberg II was expelled from the competition after failing to field in two season games.
The 2014–15 season was played in a single division league of ten teams.
Honours The league honours: The league champions and runners-up Season Champions Runners-up 2010–11 Heidelberger TV RC Mainz 2011–12 Ramstein Rogues RFC TuS 95 Düsseldorf 2012–13 TSV Handschuhsheim II RC Rottweil 2013–14 RC Luxembourg TGS Hausen 2014–15 TG 75 Darmstadt Heidelberger RK II 2015–16 RG Heidelberg II Karlsruher SV Promoted teams in bold.
Divisional champions From 2011 to 2014 the league was played in two regional divisions which were won by the following teams: Season North South 2011–12 Ramstein Rogues RFC StuSta München 2012–13 TSV Handschuhsheim II RC Rottweil 2013–14 RC Luxembourg TG 75 Darmstadt
References
External links Official website German Rugby Union Rugbyweb.de - Result archive