The 2021 Top Challenge League () was the eighteenth and final season of the Top Challenge League, the second-tier of Japanese rugby. Similar to the previous season, no promotion was granted. In July 2021, three months following the conclusion of the 2021 season, the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) announced the creation of a new league system and structure, dissolving the Top Challenge League.
The Toyota Industries Shuttles won the 2021 title, defeating the Kintetsu Liners in the final ranking match.
Background Format and dates The competition featured nine teams divided into two conferences (A and B), with each conference contesting a single round-robin stage. This was followed by a ranking tournament, in which participating teams played two additional matches to determine the final standings. The top four teams qualified for the Japan Rugby Top League 2021 playoff tournament. As Conference B contained five teams, its bottom-placed side was classified ninth overall and did not advance to the ranking tournament. At the conclusion of the 2021 Top Challenge League, the top four teams (two from Group A and B) would take place in the Top League play-offs.
The initial schedule, January to March 2021, was postponed to the later dates of February to April 2021.
Teams and personnel Following the premature cancellation of the 2020 Top League due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no teams were promoted or relegated from the regional leagues. The sole exception was Chugoku Electric Power Red Regulions, which was automatically promoted after becoming the only regional league club to enter the newly established competition.
Overview
Team Stadia information Stadia Capacity Hiroshima General Ground, Hiroshima 13,800 Coca-Cola Red Sparks Honjo Athletic Stadium, Kitakyushu 10,000 Kamaishi Seawaves 6,000 Kintetsu Liners Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Higashiōsaka 30,000 Kurita Water Gush Kurita Ground, Akishima Kyuden Voltex Global Arena, Munakata 10,000 Mazda Blue Zoomers Hiroshima General Ground, Hiroshima 13,800 Shimizu Blue Sharks Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Aoyama 24,871 Toyota Industries Shuttles Paloma Mizuho Stadium, Nagoya 27,000
League standings
Group A
Group B
League matches
Group A
Group B
Play-offs Placement matches
Placement semi-finals
Seventh place
Fifth place
Title bracket
Semi-finals
Third place
Final
See also 2021 Top League
References