The IRFU has confirmed a restructure to the men's Energia All-Ireland League for next season, with Divisions 2B and 2C to be regionalised.
Under the new format, which will be adopted for the 2026/27 campaign, 2B and 2C will be have equal status on the league ladder, and split into a north and south division (2BN and 2BS).
In a statement, the IRFU says they will base the split on an imaginary line running from O'Connell Bridge in Dublin to Eyre Square in Galway, with clubs north of this line competing in 2BN, and clubs below the line competing in 2BS.
That dividing line is subject to change after promotion and relegation is settled, in order to ensure an even spread of teams across the two divisions.
Divisions 1A, 1B and 2A will not be affected by the change.
"These structural changes represent a significant step forward in endorsing the long-term sustainability and growth of the Energia AIL", IRFU Director of Rugby Development, Colin McEntee said.
"By reducing travel and related costs, easing the demands on players, and implementing direct feedback from clubs and players, we are fostering a more sustainable and resilient league both on and off the field."
Promotion and relegation between 2A and the bottom tier will see a slight change.
Under the new plan, the team that finishes 10th in Division 2A will be relegated to either 2BN or 2BS, while the first-place team in each of the regionalised divisions will have a play-off for the automatic promotion spot. Home advantage in this play-off will be given to the side with the higher points total in the regular season.
The loser of that play-off will have a second bite at the cherry in the four-team promotion/relegation play-off, which will be similar to the current format. Joining them in that play-off will be the team that finishes ninth in Division 2A, and the teams that finish second in 2BN and 2BS.
At the bottom of the league, the two teams that finish 10th in 2BN and 2BS will play off, with the unsuccessful team relegated to their respective provincial competition in junior rugby and replaced by the winner of the Junior Provincial Championship.
The winner of this 10th v 10th game plays the runner-up of the Junior Provincial Championship. The winner of this final will play in either 2BN or 2BS the following season.
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