THE RFU have confirmed the new restructure for leagues at grassroots level, with the Regional 2 Midlands league split into three divisions.

Malvern RFC will be joined by regular local rivals Worcester, Hereford, Stratford and Ludlow but there are some new teams in the Regional 2 Midlands West for the 2023/24 season. 

Malvern Gazette: The new league format for the leagues in the Regional 2 MidlandsThe new league format for the leagues in the Regional 2 Midlands (Image: Newsquest)

Cheltenham, Moseley Oak, Newent, Shipston on Stour, Stow on the Wold, Silhillians and Berkswell and Balsall have been included in the new-look league for the upcoming campaign. 

Malvern ended last year in sixth place, with 13 wins from their 22 matches across the season, having at one stage been second and in the conversation to win the league title. 

But a big dip in form after Christmas saw them fall away, before they beat league champions Old Halesonians in their final game to bring their season to an end in style.

Worcester finished a place below Malvern, with Hereford ending the campaign a place above in fifth.

Droitwich and Evesham were both relegated from the division last season and drop out of the Midlands leagues, which means Malvern, Worcester and Hereford will have more trips to the south-west rather than staying within the region in 23/24.

There had been the prospect that both Worcester and Malvern would be playing one league below Worcester Warriors next season.

The former Premiership club were in talks with local club Stourbridge to combine and play in the Midlands 1 league (one above the now Regional 2 Midlands West).

However, that "merger" remains a proposal rather than a realistic prospect at the moment as the new owners at Sixways - Atlas - are still yet to confirm what might happen with Warriors going forward.