The top level competition for rugby union clubs in England is the Gallagher Premiership. The league consists of thirteen teams with playoffs, European qualification and promotion to all be played for. The competition started in 1987 with the most successful side being Leicester Tigers with 10 titles. It is currently the 21/22 season (played from the 17th of September, 2021 to the 18th of June, 2022) as last year's winners Harlequins look to defend their title.

Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic this will be a much changed season. Relegation will be scrapped again this year and the league will consist of 13 teams with four additional match rounds.

League Table

Teams are awarded league points depending on the result of the match:

• 4 points for a win
• 2 points for a draw
• 0 points for a loss

Teams can also be awarded bonus points if they meet certain criteria in a match:

• 1 point for a team that loses by 7 points or less
• 1 point for a team that scores 4 or more tries

At the end of the season, the top 4 teams enter the playoff semi-finals. The 1st place team will host the 4th, and the 2nd will host the 3rd. The winners of the semi-finals will then play each other at Twickenham Stadium with the victor being crowned Premiership Champions.

Relegation

This season will be the second of three seasons where automatic relegation is suspended. Promotion from the RFU championship will still continue so next year the Premiership will be expanded again to 14 teams.

European Qualification

The top eight teams at the end of the season qualify for next season's European Rugby Champions Cup. The next four teams will instead play in next season's European Rugby Challenge Cup.

Round 9